School of Education and Human Development

University West, Suite 228
3007 N Ben Wilson, Victoria Texas 77901
Phone: 361.570.4261 Fax: 361.570.4257
Email: education@uhv.edu

Introduction

Mission Statement
The mission of the School of Education and Human Development is to contribute to the total educational experience of students enrolled at the University of Houston-Victoria. In teaching, research, and service the school’s faculty is committed to preparing qualified professionals for varied educational roles, teaching, counseling, and administration. The School of Education and Human Development promotes an educational system responsive to the challenges of a modern society.

Goals
In order to achieve the mission of the School of Education and Human Development, the faculty is committed to the following goals:

Encouragement of ethical practice
Meaningful faculty-student interactions
Promotion of learning as a life-long process
Achievement of student and faculty academic excellence
Appreciation of student diversity and a multicultural society
Support of a practical foundation through extensive field experiences
Creation of an educational environment that supports critical thinking
Innovative instruction and an understanding of the use of technology in learning

Initial undergraduate preparation of prospective elementary teachers is provided through the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. Graduate preparation of teachers, professional certification programs and preparation for specialized service in education are provided through the Master of Education degree programs. Initial preparation for prospective secondary teachers is available through courses supplementing Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees from the School of Arts and Sciences and the Bachelor of Business Administration in the School of Business Administration. Appropriate certification sequences are also available for persons who have earned degrees in academic fields offered in the public school curriculum. Although there is a growing emphasis on laboratory and clinical approaches and on directed field experiences, an appropriate balance between professional and academic emphasis is sought in all programs.

One of the prime objectives of the school is to acquaint its students with various cultural subgroups that characterize the school’s area of influence. The prospective student should consequently anticipate the opportunity to work with learners in a wide variety of educational settings.

Title 2 Institutional Report Card
The University of Houston – Victoria teacher education program is accredited by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification. The table below lists current information available from the Title 2 Assessments reported on the state website (www.title2.org) regarding UHV graduates. For the year beginning Fall 2002, there were 448 students in the program. The average number of hours per week required of student participation in supervised student teaching in these programs was 37.5 hours. The student/faculty ratio was 2.95.

Updated assessments pending release by TSBEC:

# Tested	# Passing	Pass Rate	* Quartile Rank
89	79	89	III
*QIII – Range, Mean:  92-85,89

Center for Academic Excellence

The Center for Academic Excellence is a program within the School of Education and Human Development with the goal of providing students with the necessary information to excel. Students are encouraged to go beyond being satisfied with meeting minimum standards.

All Texas students must pass the appropriate Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities TExES tests for teacher certification. Each student must also pass a second test that is appropriate to his/her teaching field, i.e. a first grade teacher would need to pass the Early Childhood – Grade Four Generalist test. Students may elect or be required to take additional tests for certification in other areas.

Some of the services provided by the center are:

• Encouraging all students to strive for excellence

• Providing students with preparation in learning, testing, strategies, and reducing testing anxiety.

• Working with small groups of students

• Giving individual attention as needed

• Providing guidance in selecting appropriate tests for chosen programs of study

• Helping determine when to register and study for tests based on the student’s own progress

• Supplying information about the tests

Scheduled study sessions:

• Focus on specific tests and the competencies covered by each

• Concentrate on test standards, format, strategies, and even test anxiety.

Workshops held in the fall and spring semesters feature guest professors with expertise in each area of testing. Structured study periods are led in an extended session.

The center maintains a listserv to keep students informed of test dates, registration deadlines, dates and times of study sessions, etc. For more information and the email address, please see the School of Education and Human Development web page.

Majors and Degrees Offered

The following majors and degrees are offered in the
School of Education and Human Development.