EC-6 Science Options Recommendation

Sent to EC-6 Committee:

It appears then the courses we recommended to be developed and included in the science course inventories were not to be included. If this is the case, we'll work on getting these developed at a later time. The choices below are rigid and do not allow to address specific areas in which teachers and EC-6 students struggle.

If this is what we have then the choice must be a selection from three hour science courses to not increase the program hours beyond 126. Therefore, the courses in combination should not exceed 6 hours. My recommendations under this situation would include either of these two combinations; however, my preference would be Option 1.

Option 1

ENVR 2355: Natural Disasters

This course will explore hazardous Earth processes, including landslides, subsidence, tsunami, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, tornadoes and floods, as well as the nature and effects of human interaction with the environment.

GEOG 2313 Principles of Geography Physics Elementary

An introduction to physical geography with emphasis on weather, ocean currents and climates. Soils and vegetation types and distributions are also studied. Can be counted in the supporting areas of elementary education curriculum.​

or

Option 2

ASTR 1401: Introduction to Astronomy I

This course introduces the student to basic concepts in Astronomy and of our Solar System. Telescopes and other instruments, including the planetarium, are used as an integral part of the course. The course includes three laboratory hours a week to emphasize course concepts.

PSCI 4210 Physical Science for Educators I

This is the first part of hands on physical science course designed for education majors in EC-8 programs. The course will provide the students with basic theoretical background in physical science (properties of matter, mechanics, waves), and will develop skills in physical experimentation.​

Phase 1 Acceptance Letter

After the possibility of a return letter showing up in our spam folder, I checked. Well, I'm glad I did because it was returned as "undeliverable". I feel so fortunate to work with faculty who so freely discuss issues and voice concerns.

We had a great discussion today. It's so welcoming to know that you all care and work so hard. Thanks Peter and Bobbette for bringing this issue to mind.

If you haven't checked your spam folder, do so.

Agenda - October 8, 2014

• Welcome
• Blog URL - http://utb-tli.blogspot.com/
• Course Loads - Dr. Ramirez
• Phase 1 - Dr. Morgan
• M.Ed. C&I - Dr. Ramirez
• Doctoral - Dr. Gawenda
• EC-6 Bachelors Interdisciplinary Studies - Dr. Ramirez
• PPR - Dr. Ramirez
• UTRGV Core Curriculum - Dr. Ramirez
• Department Assessment Committee - Dr. Telese
• Bi-National Conference - Drs. Caceres and Espinosa-Dulanto
• Personnel Committee Nomination
• Teacher Work Sample Assessments - December 3, 2014

UTRGV Meetings

UTRGV Curriculum Meetings will be held in Harlingen next Wednesday, Thursday, and possibly Friday. Please be aware that agendas are being developed for these meetings and you may be asked to attend. Also, some of you may want to attend to show support for the various programs. Dates and times will be announced.

UTRGV Application Support - Wednesday, August 27 @ 10 a.m.

The Educational Technology Lab (Main 1.302) will be available on August 27th at 10 a.m. if you need help uploading your application documents to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

You may want to bring a pen drive with your documents or a scan with all of the documents. There will be individuals who have successfully submitted their applications to help.

Data Driven Decisions Regarding New Programs

As I see the number of specializations that are being requested for the UTRGV M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, I wonder what data supports these requests. In the past, whenever we have requested a new program, the question asked is usually, "have you done a needs assessment to determine that the program or specialization is needed or will survive the test of time?" Why? Because we don't want to tie up financial and human resources trying to keep a non-viable program.

As faculty, we have a responsibility to do our homework and demonstrate that their is a need for these new programs. Everyone should be held accountable to providing this data and no program should be created that doesn't have a substantiated need. Every new program or specialization must meet this test.

We should look at programs that have been requested, as well as, look at the number of students that enroll in our current specializations. Without this critical inspection, we are hurting our students and our university. We cannot support programs or specializations that will not support a healthy enrollment.

I'm recommending that those programs with low or near low enrollments ratchet up their recruitment efforts and provide a rationale for keeping them in our inventory. At the same time, any new program or specialization must meet the same requirements from the out-set.

Think about this idea and consider it as we consider new UTRGV programs and specializations.

TLI Faculty Meeting Agenda - Wednesday, August 20, 2014

• Welcome

• Faculty Searches - Dr. Reynaldo Ramirez, Jr.

• Faculty Information Sheets and Office Hours (Due September 2) - Dr. Reynaldo Ramirez, Jr.

• Outside Employment Forms - Dr. Reynaldo Ramirez, Jr.

• Printer Situation - Dr. Reynaldo Ramirez, Jr.

• Faculty Workloads - Dr. Reynaldo Ramirez, Jr.

• CAEP Consultant Visit (September 3 and/or 4)

• TK20 Assignments on Syllabus and Purchase Requirement 

• Data Summit - Dr. Reynaldo Ramirez/Dr. James Telese

• Phase I Hiring Process (COE Email 8/8/12) - Dr. Reynaldo Ramirez Jr/Dr. Bobbette Morgan

• Dr. Brogdon's Despedida - Dr. Irma Jones

• Faculty Senate - Dr. Bobbette Morgan

• BAIS Program Updates

• Master Program Updates -  Dr. James Telese

• Doctoral Program Updates - Dr. Peter Gawenda

• Other