Early Childhood Special Education Mission, Goals, & Objectives

The Lebanon Valley College Education Department develops, in a liberal arts environment, knowledgeable and effective teachers that can problem solve and think critically about contemporary educational issues.  All teaching certification candidates will implement the most current evidence-based practices, including current teaching methodologies, and educational technology.  They value diversity and promote inclusiveness, and have genuine respect for those with whom they work. Our prospective teachers possess effective communication skills, a love for learning and a sense of responsibility and service to their school community.

Education Department Goals & Objectives

Program Goal 1. Students in the early childhood education, special education, and secondary education programs will be able to demonstrate content knowledge competencies of the curriculum, based in theory and commensurate with the Pennsylvania Department of Education subject specific competencies as measured by the PA state teacher certification assessments and pre-service teacher planning, preparations evaluations. 

• When planning lessons, students will demonstrate specific knowledge of content linked to research-based pedagogy  
• Students will clearly communicate instructional goals, procedures, and content  
• Students will use formal and/or informal assessments to measure a lesson’s effectiveness and the extent to which learning goals were achieved 

Program Goal 2: Students in the early childhood education, special education, and secondary education programs will use professional communication to effectively speak, write, and listen in a classroom-based setting. 

• Students will use appropriate and effective verbal and nonverbal communication in a professional classroom setting. 
• Students will demonstrate proficiency in written communication in the areas of focus, content, organization, style, and conventions through professional writing samples 

Program Goal 3: Students in the early childhood education, special education, and secondary education programs will maintain professional conduct and ethical behavior in a professional classroom setting. 

• Students will demonstrate professional dress, attendance, and punctuality in a field based setting  
• Students will demonstrate professional relationships with school colleagues, families and the broader community  

Program Goal 4: Students in the early childhood education, special education, and secondary education programs will manage a learning environment that is safe and conducive to learning. 

• Students will create a positive learning environment involving meaningful, caring and respectful relationships between the field-based classroom community 
• Students will prepare a safe and appropriate classroom environment to optimize learning in a field-based setting. 
• Students will plan and teach classroom procedures and routines. 

Program Goal 5: Students in the early childhood education, special education, and secondary education will link content to related research-based pedagogy based on sound educational theory in short-and long-range instructional plans. 

• Students will demonstrate the ability to differentiate instruction using appropriate resources, materials, technology, and activities to engage students in meaningful learning based on their instructional goals. 
• Students will demonstrate appropriate and varied instructional strategies to engage learners. 
• Students will assess their own professional growth through focused self-reflection. 

For more information on learning goals and outcomes, contact institutionalresearch@lvc.edu.