May 12, 2000

DEAN CHARTS RECENT GROWTH, SETS COURSE
FOR THE FUTURE IN PENN STATE’S COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
University Park, Pa. — With a high level of student interest and the opportunity to bring new ideas and talent into the nation’s classrooms, Penn State is poised to play a leadership role in the impending transformation of American education.

In an informational report to the University’s Board of Trustees today (May 12), College of Education Dean David H. Monk focused on College priorities for the future.

"This is a very exciting time for the field of education, and the College of Education is very well positioned to respond to a wide range of challenges that face the field of education," said Monk, who is serving in his first year as dean.

The federal government estimates that more than 2 million new teachers will be working in the nation’s primary and secondary schools in the next decade. As a result, research universities nationwide are being challenged to assign a higher priority to teacher preparation.

Monk noted that comprehensive research institutions like Penn State currently prepare only a small proportion of the teachers in America’s schools. For example, fewer than 5 percent of all professional certificates issued in Pennsylvania last year were obtained through study at Penn State.

While improving the quality of teaching is paramount on Monk’s list of priorities for the next several years, he also cited four other areas that the College will target: designing and making better use of instructional technologies; smoothing transitions between school and work as well as transitions from job to job; responding more effectively to learners with special needs; and improving educational governance.

Currently, generating student interest in education degrees at Penn State is not a problem. Rising student interest in the College through the mid-1990s resulted in controls to cap enrollment. Since these measures were taken, enrollment has remained steady at or near 5,000 students.

Of particular note is the tremendous growth and recognition of the graduate program, which enrolls a higher number and percentage of graduate students than any other college at Penn State. Monk said that this is consistent with a national trend that is moving the study of education more to the graduate level.

According to national rankings by US News and World Report, the College of Education has four graduate programs — educational administration and supervision, counseling and personnel services, higher education administration, and vocational and technical education — ranked in the top 10, the latter two receiving a No. 2 ranking. Six additional programs in the college earned top 20 recognition by the publication.

Monk also praised the College’s outreach efforts, which have flourished through programs such as the Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy, Pennsylvania School Study Council, Penn State Educational Partnership Program, Children’s Literature Matters annual conference, and the master’s degree program in adult education through the University’s World Campus.

Equally vital has been the unprecedented level of alumni support through the 42,000-member College of Education Alumni Society, which sponsors an extensive Alumni-Student Teacher Network, a career day, new student reception, and 16 scholarships. Development efforts have also been strong, as the College’s portion of the University’s Grand Destiny Campaign has grown to $7.116 million — 60 percent of the College’s goal.

Contact: Tysen Kendig (814) 865-7517 or