Courses of Study:
Minor
Program website: http://www.brandeis.edu/programs/education/
The Education Program is designed to prepare undergraduates for teaching at the preschool, elementary, and secondary levels, and is taken in addition to the student's major. It is also valuable for those planning careers in related fields such as special education, counseling, clinical psychology, and social work. In addition, some take the program simply as a worthwhile supplement to their liberal arts education at Brandeis. Students who complete the elementary or secondary program may be recommended by Brandeis for Massachusetts certification.
Students who want to be certified to teach in Massachusetts must pass a Massachusetts Communication and Literacy Skills Test, and demonstrate subject matter knowledge on a second part of the examination. Of the students who completed the Education Program and who took these tests in 2000-01, 100% passed the Massachusetts Communication and Literacy Skills test and 94% passed the Subject Matter Knowledge part, in comparison to statewide passing rates of 89% and 85%.
How to Become a Program Member (Minor)
Any undergraduate at Brandeis can begin fulfilling requirements of the minor at any time, without formal admission. A grade of at least B- is required in ED 100a and ED 107a for those pursuing elementary certification; and in ED 100b for those seeking secondary certification. Permission of the director is required for the final stage of the process (ED 102a and ED 110e; or ED 101d and 111e; or ED 112e). Students must pass the Massachusetts Communication and Literacy Test before enrolling in the Practice Teaching courses.
Committee
Joyce Antler
(American Studies)
John Burt
(English and American Literature)
Joseph Cunningham
(Psychology)
Emily Dudek
(Chemistry)
Jane Hale
(Romance and Comparative Literature)
Robert Lange
(Physics)
Paul Monsky
(Mathematics)
Jo Anne Preston
(Sociology)
Susan Shevitz
(Jewish Communal Service)
Faculty
Marya Levenson, Director
Teacher education. Education policy.
Beth Davis
Reading.
Sharon Feiman-Nemser
Elementary education. Jewish education.
Mary Gustafson, Assistant Director
Elementary education. Education studies.
Jon Levisohn
Philosophy of education. Jewish education.
Catherine Marchant
Preschool education.
Theodore Sizer
Public education.
Requirements for the Program (Minor)
Secondary (High School)
PSYC 36b (note that PSYC 1a is a prerequisite for PSYC 36b), and ED 100b (prerequisites to practice teaching); ED 102a and ED 110e (senior year). Students must consult director of the program for other requirements.
It is recommended that students take ED 100b in their sophomore year and ED 102a in their junior year. Students must pass the Massachusetts Communication and Literacy Test before enrolling in ED 110e.
Elementary
PSYC 33a (note that PSYC 1a is a prerequisite for PSYC 33a); ED 100a followed by ED 107a (sophomores who have taken ED 100a are advised to take ED 107a as juniors); ED 101d, always begun the semester before practice teaching; and ED 111e. Also a mathematics course at the 5a level or above or a satisfactory score on a special test given by the mathematics department. Students must consult the director of the program for other requirements. The Education Program home page lists significant additional liberal arts courses required for certification by the Massachusetts Department of Education. Students must pass the Massachusetts Communication and Literacy Test before enrolling in ED 111e.
Preschool
Practice teaching at the Lemberg Children's Center is possible (ED 112e). Prerequisites are PSYC 33a and ED 103a. These courses, plus one other, will fulfill the Massachusetts Office of Child Care Services requirements for teachers in nursery school or day care. For further information, consult the Director of the Lemberg Children's Center.
Courses of Instruction
ED 98a Individual Readings and Research in Education
Signature of the instructor required.
Usually offered every year.
Staff
ED 98b Individual Readings and Research in Education
Signature of the instructor required.
Usually offered every year.
Staff
ED 100a Exploring Teaching (Elementary)
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Not open to first year students.
Examines the relationship of teaching and learning, the purposes of elementary schooling and the knowledge requirements for elementary school teaching. Through readings, analysis of videotapes, and guided observations, students investigate classroom culture, student thinking, and curriculum standards. Three hours per week of participant/observation in an elementary classroom are required. Usually offered every fall semester. Will be offered in the fall of 2002.
Ms. Feiman-Nemser
ED 100b Exploring Teaching (Secondary)
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Not open to first year students.
Examines the relationship of teaching and learning, the purposes of secondary schooling and the knowledge requirements for middle and high school teaching. Through readings, analysis of videotapes and guided observations, students investigate classroom culture, student thinking, and curriculum standards. Three hours per week of participant/observation in a secondary classroom are required. Usually offered every spring semester. Will be offered in the spring of 2003.
Ms. Levenson
ED 101d Elementary School Curriculum and Methods
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Limited to students enrolling in ED 111e spring semester. Signature of the education program director required.
Principles and methods of teaching mathematics, social studies, language arts, and science, through workshops and seminars. Other topics include art, music, creative drama, multicultural education, special education, and physical education. Usually offered every year. Will be offered in the fall of 2002.
Staff
ED 102a Secondary School Curriculum and Methods
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It is strongly recommended that juniors who are planning to student teach (ED 110e) in their senior year enroll in ED 102a in their junior year. Those students who enroll in ED 110e, who have not previously passed ED 102a, will need to enroll in this course concurrently with ED 110e. Signature of the education program director required.
Principles and methods for secondary school subjects. Separate sections for particular subject areas are created as the need arises. Usually offered every fall semester. Will be offered in the fall of 2002.
Staff
ED 103a Teaching Strategies for Early Childhood
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Enrollment limited to 20.
Provides classroom experience, principles, and methods for teaching young children. Students plan and analyze early childhood learning experiences, based on current theory and best practices, as well as study positive approaches to classroom management and developmentally appropriate curricula. Related field placement required, once a week, at Lemberg Children's Center, 8:00 am-12:00 pm or 2:00-6:00 pm. Usually offered every spring semester. Last offered in the spring of 2002.
Ms. Marchant
ED 107a Teaching of Elementary Reading
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Signature of the education program director required.
An introductory methods course in the teaching of reading, covering current theory and practice. In order to fulfill the field work requirement, students must have one morning a week free of classes until 11:00 am. Usually offered every semester. Will be offered in the fall of 2002.
Ms. Davis
ED 110e Practice Teaching: Secondary School
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Prerequisite: ED 102a (may be taken concurrently). Enrollment limited to students in the Education Program. Students must pass the Massachusetts Communication and Literacy Test before enrolling in ED 110e. Signature of the education program director required.
Full-time student teaching under supervision of qualified teachers; regular conferences to discuss and evaluate the teaching experience. Includes at least one after-school meeting most weeks, covering such topics as multicultural education, special education, and reading. Usually offered every fall semester. Will be offered in the fall of 2002.
Staff
ED 111e Practice Teaching: Elementary School
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Enrollment limited to students in the Education Program. Students must pass the Massachusetts communication and Literacy Test before enrolling in ED 111e. Signature of the education program director required.
Full-time student teaching under supervision of qualified teachers; regular conferences to discuss and evaluate the teaching experience. Includes at least one after-school meeting per week. Usually offered every spring semester. Last offered in the spring of 2002.
Staff
ED 112e Practice Teaching: Preschool
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Prerequisites: PSYC 33a and ED 103a. Enrollment limited to students in the Education Program. Signature of the education program director required.
Teaching under supervision of qualified head teachers at the Lemberg Children's Center with toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners. Thirty-five hours per week includes 30 hours teaching, five hours planning and meeting time. Regular conferences to discuss and evaluate the teaching experience. Usually offered every year. Will be offered in the fall of 2002.
Staff
ED 150b Public Schools and Democracy: Education for the People?
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Signature of the instructor required.
Explores fundamental questions about public education, considering what is pedagogically sound and politically achievable. Focuses on the design and implementation of a state education policy, drawing on "A New Public Education," a Brandeis-based project that engages educators, politicians, and the public in a debate about the future of public education. Usually offered every second year. Last offered in the fall of 2001.
Ms. Holden, Mr. Kaufman, and Mr. Sizer
ED 155b Education and Social Policy
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Enrollment limited to 20.
Examines the various functions schools perform in a community, with special attention to the intended and unintended consequences of contemporary policies such as special education, desegregation, charter schools, and the standards/accountability movement. Will be offered in the fall of 2002.
Ms. Levenson
Electives
The following courses are approved for the program. Not all are given in any one year. Please consult the Course Schedule each semester.
AMST 180b
Topics in the History of American Education
COML 165a
Reading, Writing, and Teaching Across Cultures
ECON 59b
Introduction to the Economics of Education
HBRW 168a
(formerly HBRW 119a)
Proficiency-Based Instruction in Modern Hebrew I
HBRW 168b
(formerly HBRW 119b)
Proficiency-Based Instruction in Modern Hebrew II
JCS 236a and b
Teaching and Learning in Jewish Classrooms
PHYS 22a
The Science in Science Teaching and Learning I
PSYC 105a
Socio-Emotional Development in Children and Adolescents
SOC 104a
Sociology of Education