The number of minority candidates has increased substantially over time. As the table below shows, the number of completers identifying as minority or other has increased 100% since the last accreditation cycle, compared to an increase in white candidates of 67.2%. Given the national need for a diverse teaching force, it is also likely that these candidates obtained teaching positions despite a difficult job market for teachers in general. This table shows the last two five-year periods:
Candidate Experiences
Across the university, student diversity is 11% overall and 15% for the current freshman class. Considering that Education candidates spend almost four years in the same classes as the rest of the student body, fulfill the same major, minor and degree requirements, and engage in the same activities, any increase in diversity across the university means a potential increase in interactions for Education candidates too. Furthermore, university offerings and activities are so varied that listings such as the following can barely touch the surface of diverse experiences available to candidates:
- University Curriculum. Within the university's general education requirements are over fifty courses in seven diversity-related categories: Marginality and Differences; Gender, Society and Culture; Religion; Civil Rights Movement; Freedom and Social Control; and American Mosaic (Catalog, p. 108).
- University Activities. Campus activities are widely available to acquaint candidates with differing perspectives and cultures. These range from symposia on evolution and creationism to open lectures about violence to transgendered people. A selection of events from the university online calendar for the first months of the 2005 fall semester provides dozens of other examples (Diverse Experiences-University Activities, Fall 05).
- International Programs. Earlier in this report, we noted Education programs that offer diverse experiences outside the country or state. Numerous other study abroad opportunities are available to Education candidates through their major fields of study. Almost 40 programs are offered through the university in virtually every field of study in which Education candidates earn their major or minor (See International Programs.)
- Education Programs. Within the Education program, numerous opportunities are available. A partial list would include student organizations, global opportunities, service learning and humanitarian projects. (Diverse Experiences-College of Education)
Candidate Recruitment and Retention Strategies
The College works with units across the university, with other higher education institutions, and with community initiatives in recruitment and retention of future teachers from under-represented groups.
Office of Minority Affairs. The College works closely with the Office of Minority Affairs Multicultural Teacher Education Cohort (MTEC) to assist and mentor minority candidates considering the teaching profession. The partnership with MTEC has been more effective than any other in increasing the number of minority candidates in the College. Although it has experienced reduced financial aid funding, and although not all minority candidates participate in the organization, MTEC continues to be a focal point of College efforts.
Partnerships. The College is active in partnerships with school districts and other teacher preparation institutions aimed at students of middle school and high school age.
- College representatives participate in the (Grand Rapids) Mayor's Cultural Competency in Education Committee which has as one of its goals to increase the number of minority teachers.
- The College works with a consortium of five other area colleges and Grand Rapids Public Schools to examine Teacher Academy models of minority candidate recruitment.
- The unit continues its four-year effort with the AHAANA Teacher Education Program (ATEP) to provide a transition for future minority teachers from high school, to community college, then to teacher education and certification. It is funded by Grand Rapids Public Schools, Grand Rapids Community College, and Grand Valley.
- The Student Information and Services Center (SISC) launched a new effort, the Educational Connections Mentoring Project, in which SISC staff team with staff from the federal TRIO program to foster in urban youth an interest in attending college and in teaching as a profession.
Administrative/Professional Position. The professional position referred to earlier in this report was filled by an African American male with experience in recruitment and retention of minority students. In addition to activities identified earlier, he spends at least one full day per week on campus working with MTEC students, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, and potential minority candidates. He represents the unit at pre-college orientations and at distant recruiting events, especially those held in large urban areas.
Scholarship Assistance. Finally, the College provides significant scholarship assistance for minority candidates. The eight Education scholarships awarded almost $89,000 in 117 separate awards over the last four cycles. Of this total, almost $46,000 came from scholarships designated for minority candidates (Scholarship Awards).
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