About the College of Education at Cal Poly
More Information
Dean's Welcome
Welcome to the College of Education! As candidates, faculty, and staff, we
are dedicated to preparing a student population as active, reflective
participants in an increasingly diverse, technologically situated society. I
encourage you to review our vision and mission, learning outcomes, and
professional dispositions that describe our goals, values, and commitments.
We serve over 300 students in seven primary areas: teaching credentials in multiple subject and single subject; integrated credentials/ master's specializations in counseling and guidance, educational administration, and special education; and an Ed.D in educational leadership offered jointly with the University of California, Santa Barbara. In addition, we house a special projects office that initiates and conducts various K-12 oriented activities with education groups both on and off-campus.
The College of Education leads the campus in an all-university approach to professional education. Education faculty and content faculty from the Colleges of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Liberal Arts, and Science and Mathematics collaborate on developing and offering our programs and provide leadership to the college and to our education communities. We also have strong partnerships with our local schools and education agencies, as well as state and national organizations.
Our special focus is on the preparation and support of math and science educators. We partner with content educators in agriculture, math, biology, chemistry, and physics to offer teaching credentials in these areas. Our graduate degrees include a math and science education theme that provides a context for preparing administrators and counselors. In addition, we join with colleagues in the University Center for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Education that brings together faculty from across campus with interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and work together on research and outreach projects.
Please explore the links offered here to learn about our programs, faculty, and students. If you have questions or need additional information, contact the Student Information Center (805-756-2126) or Teacher Education Division (805-756-1503) the Department of Graduate Studies in Education (805-756-7194). Thank you for your interest in the College of Education and Cal Poly.
Bonnie Konopak, Dean
College of Education
Mission
The College of Education leads the campus in an all-university approach to preparing education professionals. These professionals create, assess, and modify environments, practices, and policies to foster the achievement of each and every learner; they strive for equity in schools and society; and they are committed to inquiry and professional growth for themselves and the advancement of P-20 education.
College of Education faculty models leadership in its teaching, scholarship, and services through a grounded, reflective, learn-by-doing approach and through sustained collaborations with its education partners: P-12 schools, families, community colleges, universities, and local, state, and national agencies.
Vision
The College of Education develops and supports qualified, competent, and caring education professionals who prepare a diverse student population to become active and thoughtful participants in a democratic society.
College of Education Learning Outcomes
All candidates who complete a credential, master's degree, or doctorate in the College of Education will:
- Be Qualified, Competent, and Caring Professional Educators
- Candidates will demonstrate subject matter mastery, pedagogical and professional knowledge, and dispositions toward ethical practice that shape change as well as promote educational equity and equal access to learning for all students.
- Integrate Principles and Practices of Professional Fields to Support Student Learning
- Candidates will demonstrate the ability to translate theory into practice through Cal Poly's learn-by-doing approach, and utilize knowledge-building technologies to foster learning, mentoring, and leadership.
- Engage in Cross-Disciplinary and Collaborative Practices
- Candidates will understand the relationships of one discipline to another within their particular profession, and demonstrate the ability to establish collaborations and partnerships to enhance professional practices and support student success.
- Demonstrate Authentic Assessments Designed for Student Success, Individual Growth, and Program Improvement
- Candidates will develop and use assessments that are data-driven, involve multiple sources and opportunities, are linked to professional standards, and are used to modify programs and practices.
- Effect Sustainable Communities in a Multicultural Environment
- Candidates will assume leadership roles in schools, communities and their professional associations to shape change, ensure tolerance and inclusion, and advance principles of social justice. Candidates will promote comprehensive schooling to support educational equity for and access to college and career preparation.
- Engage in Professional Practices
- Candidates will demonstrate reflective practice, uphold professional standards, and enact dispositions for both personal growth and advancement of the education field. Candidates will initiate the practice of life-long learning by engaging in professional associations and establishing personal professional growth plans.
College of Education Dispositions
Ethical Practice
- 1.1 Diversity and Pluralism
- Demonstrates belief that everyone can learn and values human diversity and equity in the learning environment. Promotes respect for self, students, families, and cultures and attends to the challenges of teaching or mentoring others whose background differs from their own.
- 1.2 Professionalism
- Acts ethically, responsibly, and with integrity; and is considerate, respectful, punctual, and appropriate in appearance, in conduct, and in all interactions with students, families, mentors, and colleagues. Is open to constructive feedback from others, manages situations of conflict and their own stress appropriately.
- 1.3. Creating Positive Climate
- Provides choices and upholds fair and equitable standards for conduct that encourage responsibility, mutual respect, and civic values, and that safeguard the physical, intellectual, and emotional well-being of each and every student and education professional. Promotes a climate in which learning is valued and on-going, in which all are able to share in and contribute to social and intellectual life.
- 1.4 Accountability
- Plans and carries out assessment and evaluation processes appropriate to state and national standards, and focused on student understanding. Periodically shares results with stakeholders and uses results to inform subsequent practice. Documents their own practice as an aid to reflection and continued development.
- 1.5 Collaboration
- Actively engages in a community of learners that develops relationships, programs, and projects with colleagues in P-20 schools and educational agencies designed to improve the quality of education for each and every student and education professional.
Shaping Change
- 2.1 Inquiry
- Engages in life-long learning, continuous reflection, and research. Maintains currency with professional knowledge, best practices, and scholarship in the field. Creates learning opportunities for themselves and others.
- 2.2 Innovation
- Is creative and self-reliant in finding solutions to problems and managing dilemmas. Tries new methods and tools, and values critical thinking, and independent and interdependent problem solving. Uses knowledge-building technologies and experiential approaches to learning.
- 2.3 Leadership
- Independently and collaboratively identifies opportunities, goals, and avenues for social and organizational development, acts as a change agent to devise and implement effective improvements, and empowers others to achieve organizational and personal goals. Contributes professionally to the field at local, regional, state, and national levels.
- 2.4 Social Justice
- Develops curricula and programs that provides equitable access to learning opportunities for each and every student through both content and processes. Seeks excellence and equity, and promotes social and environmental responsibility. Works toward realizing a nation and world where all have basic human rights and actively seeks to eliminate social, political, and economic inequities.