SUNY Cortland Education Program Candidate Expectations

The Conceptual Framework created for the SUNY Cortland teacher candidates is important for many reasons. It was important for the campus to create a “College-wide shared vision for teacher education” (CF 3) as they prepared for their NCATE accreditation. The college wanted to make sure that the framework formed a true representation of their program goals, identity, and beliefs. This conceptual framework is important for the individual candidate because it is used to guide, and provide “a sound foundation for assessment”(CF 7). As stated on page 11 of the framework, “SUNY Cortland is dedicated to developing candidates’ knowledge, integrity, professional standards and commitment to their future students and school community”. This is very important as every piece of the statement can go hand-in-hand with the NAEYC Standards. The Conceptual Framework is also important for candidates as it sets to build three key components in each individual. These components are personal responsibility, social justice, and global understanding. What is also unique about the Conceptual Framework is that it is seen as a “living document”, meaning that it has the ability to be changed whenever change is needed, and whenever we uncover new discoveries of early childhood development. My intention in writing this paper is to gain a better understanding of what is expected from me as a candidate in a SUNY Cortland education program. I hope that I will be able to take the information that I learn from the Conceptual Framework and use it in my future teaching.

Area 1: Knowledge Base

The emphasis of the first area is put on five major components; those being the ability “to demonstrate a solid foundation in the arts and sciences, to possess in-d...

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...teach effectively. I am excited though to have my portfolio online, although that will not happen until later on in my education.

Conclusion:

After reading the Conceptual Framework, I have a much greater understanding of what SUNY Cortland is expecting of me as a candidate. I also have a better understanding of why we put together portfolios. It is important in many aspect of the Conceptual Framework, most importantly the professional commitments area. I hope that I will be able to take the requirements and really focus on what I need to know to be successful in teaching and later take those skills into my own classroom.

Works Cited

State University of New York College at Cortland. (2010). Conceptual framework for the teacher

education program. Retrieved from http://oira.Cortland.edu/ncatedocs/conceptual-framework/CFEXPVers%20FINAL%20%2012-20-10pdf