College of Education and Human Services | SIU News

Points of Pride - College of Education and Human Services

• SIU spearheaded a collaborative that received grant funding through the Scaling Education Pathways in Illinois program to address the growing teacher shortage crisis in Illinois. The program allows high school students to get a jump-start toward a teaching degree, and SIU is currently partnering with seven nearby high schools to offer active future teacher clubs, increased opportunities to earn dual high school/college credits and more.
• As part of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) rigorous accreditation process, our teaching programs in Elementary Education (ACEI), Science-Biology (NSTA), Social Science-History (NCSS) Special Education (CEC) and school Superintendent (ELCC/NELP) program received National Recognition status by their respective specialized professional associations.
• Our music education program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and our art education program holds accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
• SIU was named the top school in the country for education majors in terms of highest return on investment, according to GoBankingRates rankings posted by MSN.com and best college for education majors on GoBankingRates list of “The Best College Majors If You Don’t Want Any Financial Regrets.”
• The SIU Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders provides invaluable services for affected children and their families, community service providers and the public as it serves as a teaching facility for SIU students. The center also conducts valuable research.
• Since fall 2015, our Teacher Education Program graduates have earned a 100 percent pass rate on the required edTPA (evidence-based performance assessment of teacher effectiveness), with many programs demonstrating superior performance by surpassing state averages.
• Each spring SIU hosts the Southern Illinois Law and Leadership Conference, bringing together educators, administrators and school board members from around the region for professional development and networking. The college is a lead sponsor for the event.
• At the end of each semester, graduates from the Teacher Education Program are individually recognized in a special Student Teacher Pinning Ceremony, during which they receive an SIU pin from their public school mentor teachers. Family, friends, school administrators and SIU faculty are present as these new teachers are welcomed into the teaching profession.