Illinois State University

General Education Program

Background Questions

• Is the General Education Program a national program?

• What are the cores and why that core?

Arguments

• General Education Program moving towards national program

• ISU meets curriculum standards

Accrediting Agencies and Standards

• Forming standards for General Education

• Accrediting Agencies• American Association of Colleges

and Universities (AAC&U)• Project on Accreditation and

Assessment

American Academy for Liberal Education

• Liberal Learning Assessment Standards

-Standard One- Effective Reasoning

-Standard Two- Broad and Deep Learning

-Standard Three- Inclination to Inquire

Mission Standards• Three Goals:

-Cultivation of thoughtful and responsible persons and citizens

-Preparation for the world of work

-Pursuit of knowledge

• Standard Four- Reflects importance and centrality of liberal education

• Standard Five- Liberty of thought and freedom of speech are protected

General Education and Curriculum

• Standard Six- Defines and enforces academic entrance requirements

• Standard Seven- 1/3 of classes must be general education courses

• Standard Eight- Requires variety of basic knowledge

• Standard Nine- Evaluate student progress by exams or other means of evaluation

• Standard Ten- Provides structure beginning with basic knowledge and builds up to more advanced

• Standard Eleven- Students write essays to demonstrate English proficiency

Teaching and Educational Resources

• Standard Twelve- Importance of teaching is emphasized

• Standard Thirteen- Appropriate class size

• Standard Fourteen- All faculty members should teach variety of courses

• Standard Fifteen- Use of many different education sources important

Project Higher Expectations

• Organized by AAC&U• New set of standards for general

education• As of right now, the standards are

only advisory• Standards are strong enough that

they might become requirements in general education programs

Purpose of the General Education Program

• Prepares you for the expectations of the world

• Gives you flexibility• Enhances:

– Global perspectives– Interdisciplinary approaches– Critical thinking– Use of university resources

General Education Program

• Inner Core

• Middle Core

• Outer Core

Purpose of Inner Core

• Emphasize acquirement of skills:- Language- Math - Science

Courses of Inner Core

• Foundations of Inquiry• Language and Composition• Language and Communication• A mathematics course• Two natural sciences courses

Purpose of Middle Core

• Provides opportunities to continue development of a variety of academic skills

Courses of Middle Core

• Quantitative Reasoning• Language in the Humanities• United States Traditions• Individuals and Civic Life• Individuals and Societies

Purpose of Outer Core

• Provides in depth knowledge between inquiry and the world in which it exists

Courses of Outer Core

• Science, Mathematics and Technology

• Fine Arts• Humanities• Social Sciences

• Courtney Alburtus• Trisha Balogh• Donnie Johnson• Erin Nolan