American Democracy Project

• Service Learning
• Ben Franklin Project
• Electric Truck
• Technology Fair
• Afterschool Investigating Science & Math Project
• Reading Tutoring
• Toys for Tots
• Electric Car Rally
• Kappa Delta Pi
• KS-NEA
• Fort Hays Student Chapter of the National Science Teachers Association
• 55 Hour General Education Curriculum
• SPED 601
• TEEL 230
• Links

The College of Education and Technology at Fort Hays State University is committed to the University’s American Democracy Project (ADP). As Mary Lynn Calhoun (2007) states “the core mission of schools and colleges of education – the preparation of teachers – is an act of civic engagement in democratic society” (p.8). The goals of the ADP at Fort Hays State University are:

• To increase the number of undergraduate students who understand and are committed to engaging in meaningful civic actions by asking participating institutions to review and restructure academic programs and processes, extracurricular programs and activities, and the institutional culture.
• Focus the attention of policymakers and opinion leaders on the civic value of the college experience.

The College of Education and Technology embraces the University’s efforts to promote civic engagement of its candidates as evidenced in its mission statement: “to prepare professionals for schools, business, and industry in a global society."

This preparation is based on technical skills, knowledge acquired through the liberal arts and sciences, professional knowledge, and clinical experiences described by the Professional Educator model. Further, the education unit at Fort Hays State University promotes the vision that: "Professional educators prepared at Fort Hays State University will have the knowledge, skills, and commitment to ensure excellence in teaching while actively investing in their own professional development."
How are we preparing future educators who are prepared for success in a global society?

1.  Service Learning

• COET Service Learning

Our teacher preparation has a strong history with service learning activities as part of their coursework. Service learning is defined as a method of teaching and learning that integrates community service activities to academic curricula and expands the learning of students from the classroom to the community. This pedagogy is designed to “help teachers gain multicultural teaching competency and to encourage preservice teachers to participate in a democratic society (Wade, 2000; Anderson, 2000; Maybach, 1996; Root 1994). Second, service learning components prepare teachers to adopt similar pedagogies in their own classrooms when they enter the teaching field (Anderson, 2000; Root 1994). Wade et al. (1999) further report that as many as 30 percent of new teachers used service learning as teaching strategy during their first five years in the classroom (Helfenbein & Murtadha, 2007).

2.  Special Projects

• Ben Franklin Project
• Electric Truck
• Technology Fair

3.  After-School Involvement

• Afterschool Investigating Science & Math Project - K-2 and 3-5 children join FHSU elementary education interns as they use science, mathematics, and technology to solve real life problems.

• Reading Tutoring – Elementary education interns work with area elementary children on literacy skills at various elementary schools in Hays

4.  Community Engagement

• Toys for Tots
• Electric Car Rally

5.  Student Organization Engagement

• Kappa Delta Pi (Reading is Fun week, Festive Fall Center Activities, Christmas Auction involvement)
• KS-NEA
• Fort Hays Student Chapter of the National Science Teachers Association

6.  Curriculum

• 55 hour general education curriculum
• SPED 601: Exceptional Students – course designed to prepare candidates to meet the needs of all students
• TEEL 230: Diverse Learners – course designed to prepare all elementary candidates to work with culturally and linguistically diverse student

7.  Social Studies Curriculum Reform

8.  JAZZ: High School Refrom

Links

• American Democracy Project
• Center for Civic Leadership
• Resources