EPI0030 - Diversity

EPI Contact Info.

EDUCATOR PREPARATION INSTITUTE (EPI) OFFICE: WST-128, Winter Haven Campus
Phone: (863) 292-3642

EPI Mission and Core Objectives

Polk State College is a quality-driven educational institution, providing access to affordable associate and baccalaureate degrees, career certificates, and workforce development programs, delivered by diverse, qualified faculty and staff who are committed to student learning and achievement through the consistent practice of collaboration and focus on excellence. In line with this purpose, Polk State College’s Educator Preparation Institute is committed to recruiting, supporting, producing, and placing highly-qualified, workforce ready teachers in schools with an emphasis on high-need subject areas and specializations in Reading, Math, ESE, ESOL, and Science.
A primary focus of this course is the development of competencies related to the following program learning outcome(s): 

 
Course Objectives:

Accomplished Practice 5: Diversity
Accomplished Practice 8:   Knowledge of the Subject Matter

1. Participants will explore strategies to create a learning environment in which all students are treated equitable.
2. Participants will learn ways to promote student responsibility, appropriate social behavior, integrity, valuing of diversity, and honesty through learning activities.
3. Communicates knowledge of subject matter in a manner that enables students to learn.
4. Demonstrate the knowledge and the ability to use teaching and learning strategies that reflect each student’s culture, learning styles, special needs, and socioeconomic backgrounds in a productive learning environment.
5. Complete meaningful dialogue in response to FEAP’s related discussion questions in PAL.
6. Extend learning with online research relating to educational topics.
7. Completes 15 hours of field experience in a K-12 school setting in participant’s subject area.
8. Demonstrates competency in creating and teaching a lesson plan in participant’s subject area in a K-12 school setting observed by a clinically trained observer.
9. Develop an Educational Portfolio.

EPI textbook

Students receive textbooks and resource materials at the new student orientation. Cost of textbooks is included in course lab fees.

The Gordon Rule

This is not a Gordon Rule course.

Student Help

The professor is available for help during posted hours and by appointment during other non-class hours. Students are encouraged to seek assistance from the professor. To further the educational process, the campus Learning Resources Centers, comprised of the Teaching/Learning and Computing Center (TLCC) JDA Student Success Center, and library, are available for student use. Each resource provides qualified staff and up-to-date equipment and facilities to promote students’ academic success. The TLCCs and JDA Student Success Center provide tutoring services, computing resources, and other instructional support. The library provides information resources, individual and group study space, research assistance, information literacy instruction, and computing resources. Each facility provides free wireless access to the Internet. Polk State College Library, Student Success Center, and TLCC hours of operation and tutoring schedules are posted at each facility and on the College website.

Withdrawing From a Course

Students may officially withdraw from course(s) during any given term, provided they follow the appropriate policy and procedure. Following the conclusion of the Drop/Add Period, a student may officially withdraw without academic penalty from any credit course, provided he or she has submitted the appropriate forms to the Student Services Office no later than the published deadline. The published deadline reflects approximately (but no more than) 70% of the term, based upon the course’s scheduled duration. It is the student’s responsibility to submit these withdrawal forms; failure to do so may result in a grade of F in the course. Under the Forgiveness Policy, a student is allowed only three attempts in any one course: one initial enrollment and two repeats. A student is not allowed to withdraw from a third course attempt. Limited admission programs may have specific guidelines regarding course withdrawal that vary from this policy. Individuals should refer to the student handbook for that program for more information. If a student stops attending class, the grade earned, usually an F, is assigned and posted. Prior to withdrawing from a course, the student should consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine what impact, if any, withdrawal from the course will have on his or her financial aid status. A student cannot use course withdrawal to avoid academic dishonesty penalties. A student who has been penalized for academic dishonesty in a course is not eligible to withdraw from the course.

Repeating a Course

Under the Forgiveness Policy, a student is allowed only three attempts in any one college credit course: one initial enrollment and two repeats. Under certain circumstances, a student may petition to repeat a credit course beyond the three attempts. Limited admission programs may have specific guidelines regarding repeating a course that vary from this policy. Individuals should refer to the student handbook for that program for more information. The student should be aware that repeating a course may result in a higher course cost. A course cannot be repeated unless the previously earned grade is a D, F, or W (the Polk State College Catalog provides further details regarding this process). Prior to repeating a course, the student should consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine what impact, if any, repeating the course will have on his or her financial aid status.

Academic Dishonesty

Each student is responsible for his or her work. It is assumed that each student is honest and will abide by this standard; however, in the event that there is an indication or suspicion of cheating/plagiarism, the situation shall be dealt with in accordance with the published College policy. Copies of this policy are available in the Student Services Office. Students should also refer to the course syllabus for more specific information.

Information Technology Access/Use Policy

All individuals who employ the information technology resources provided by Polk State College (this includes, but is not limited to, telephones, computers, the Polk State College Local Area and Wide Area Networks, and the Internet) must use these resources for academic purposes only. Use of these resources is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use can result in revocation or suspension of this privilege.

Equal Access/Opportunity

Polk State College is an equal access/equal opportunity institution committed to excellence through diversity in education and employment. The College complies with all state and federal laws granting rights to students, employees, and applicants for employment or admission to the College. Polk State College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or pregnancy in its programs, activities, or employment.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Valparisa Baker
Director, Equity & Diversity (Title IX Coordinator)
999 Avenue H NE
Winter Haven, FL 33881-4299
Office: WAD 227, 863.292.3602 Ext. 5378, vbaker@polk.edu.

Equal Opportunity For Students With Disabilities

The College complies with The Americans with Disabilities Act and provides equal educational opportunity for qualified individuals. A student with a disability who requires special accommodations or auxiliary aids under The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the Student Services Office on either campus and speak with a Disability Services Advisor or the Coordinator of Disability Services. Note: Limited admission programs may have performance restrictions that apply. Restrictions (where applicable) are outlined in each program’s student handbook.

 

Attendance:

Attendance is vital to your grade and successful completion of EPI. Each participant is required to attend two Saturday sessions per month and successfully complete the online portion of the course. The instructor will offer one make-up session per course. The instructor will determine the time and place for the make-up session. If you are unable to attend that make-up session, you will not receive a grade for the segment missed and will be required to retake the course. You are not allowed to make-up more than two classes during the program.

 

Additional Policies:

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION: It is mandatory for EPI participants to attend New Student Orientation upon enrolling in the EPI program. Check EPI website for schedule of dates.

PAL: PAL (Polk Access to Learning) is PSC’s online course delivery system.  PAL is used for all EPI Hybrid courses. A hybrid course is a blend of face-to-face instruction with Internet/Online learning. PAL instructions are located on the PSC Homepage.

DISCUSSION: In the EPI hybrid course, a significant part of the course learning is online through discussions. OnlineDiscussion questions are to be completed by the end of the month.

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION QUIZZES: Participants must complete the Diversity section of the Professional Education Practice Test in PAL. A passing score of 80% is necessary for program completion. Participant may retake the quiz as many times as necessary. The quiz is located on the navigation bar of the PAL course homepage.

FIELD EXPERIENCE: Participant will complete a series of 30 hours Field Experience in a K-12 school setting. 15 hours Field Experience will be completed in the Diversity course and 15 hours Field Experience will be completed in the Professional Foundations course. The Field Experience must be in the participant’s subject area. Field Experience timeline and forms are located in the online portfolio guide.
Segment B -You will complete a series of experiences designed to give prospective teachers a perspective on the varied background of students in public schools. Cohorts will meet together to discuss these experiences and to relate them to their observations of students as well as student behaviors and interactions in the school setting. (15 hours) Refer to Online Portfolio.

PROGRAM COMPLETION:

1. PROGRAM EVALUATION: Participants will complete a Program Evaluation. The form is located in the online portfolio guide.
2. DISPOSITION TO TEACH: Participants will complete their final self-assessment of their disposition to teach during the Diversity course. The disposition form is located in the online portfolio guide and should be dropped in the PAL online dropbox. There are a total of three Disposition to Teach forms to be completed during the program.
3. CHECKLIST FOR PROGRAM COMPLETION: Participant will submit checklist to the EPI office when courses are finished and all FTCE tests are passed. The checklist is located in the online portfolio guide.

EXEMPTION/CREDIT BY EXAM: Refer to the Credit by Exam and Course Exemption section of the Online Portfolio Guide for information and appropriate forms to be completed.

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