Date of Award
2004
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services
Advisor
G. Jeremiah Ryan
Committee Member
Cornelius V. Robbins
Committee Member
Maryellen Maher
Keywords
assemblies of God, Board of Trustees, certification, certification curriculum design, course descriptions, course requirements, curriculum development, degree acquisition, formative evaluation, implementation, instructional design, literature review, Pennsylvania Department of Education, private religious colleges, program evaluation, public secondary schools, secondary education, secondary English education, state teaching certification, student handbook, summative evaluation, teacher certification, Valley Forge Christian College, validation studies, workforce preparation
Abstract
Valley Forge Christian College is a 4-year private religious institution sponsored by the Assemblies of God denomination. In order to improve the curricular programs and meet the needs of potential students, it is necessary to add secondary education courses leading to state teaching certification to the program. The problem is that there are no secondary education major courses of study at Valley Forge Christian College qualifying graduates to teach in the state’s public secondary schools. The purpose of this study was to develop a Secondary English Education program and an accompanying Student Handbook.
The Secondary English Education program and Student Handbook were developed around 5 research questions. The 14 procedures used to answer these questions included a literature review, formative and summative committee guidance and input, the selection and sequence of appropriate courses, and a general plan for implementation.
The development and evaluation methodologies were used to address the problem and research questions. It was concluded that a Secondary English Education program is needed, considered valuable, and is appropriate to the college’s mission. In addition, the course requirements, descriptions, and sequencing are appropriate for degree and certification acquisition. It was also concluded that it is feasible and desirable to implement the validated program in the near future.
It was recommended that the validated program be submitted to the college’s President’s Cabinet and to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. It was also recommended that further research of the validated program be conducted as to its effectiveness. It was further recommended that the program be disseminated to the Board of Trustees, the administration, and the faculty of Valley Forge Christian College.