UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROGRAM
* A long-standing tradition of excellence in the College of Education
* Accredited by the National Middle School Association (NMSA)
* Field experiences (observing, tutoring, assisting, assessing, teaching) interwoven with coursework from freshman to senior year.
* Development of a professional portfolio during the senior year to help students prepare for Ohio’s entry year Pathwise program.
* Professional year experience with opportunity to do methods coursework and student teaching at a single school site
* Opportunities to student teach at multicultural sites that include bilingual student populations, such as international schools (Rio de Janeiro, Montreal), as well as a Texas site (Lamar, Texas).

STUDENTS
The BGSU Middle Childhood Program is a highly competitive program because of student interest in this major, the program’s strong reputation, and its commitment to the highest quality learning experiences for students, both on and off campus. Program admission requirements include a grade point average of 2.8. Thus, students who enter this program are academically strong and prepared for the demands of a challenging program of preparation. The program enrollment consists of over 500 students across the Bowling Green and Firelands campus.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Nancy Fordham 529E Education Building Bowling Green State University (419)372-9819 nfordha@bgnet.bgsu.edu

John Fischer 529 Education Building Bowling Green State University (419)372-7342 jfisch@bgsu.edu

FACULTY
The faculty in Bowling Green State University’s Middle Childhood Studies Program bring years of professional experience to the classroom. They are educators and professionals who are distinguished by: ongoing research and practice in middle childhood education; active participation in professional organizations; a willingness and commitment to help all students succeed; outstanding teaching that includes a focus on assisting students in the development of a professional portfolio to assist each student with employment and first-year teaching success.

The following list includes core faculty members who teach in the Middle Childhood Program:
Dr. Savilla Banister, Associate Professor
Dr. Daniel Brahier, Professor
Dr. Alden Craddock, Associate Professor
Dr. Mohammed Darabie, Assistant Professor
Dr. Lena Ballone Duran, Associate Professor
Ms. Janet Emerine, Lecturer
Dr. Debra Gallagher, Lecturer
Dr. Tracy Huziak-Clark, Assistant Professor
Dr. John Fischer, Associate Professor
Dr. Nancy Fordham, Associate Professor
Dr. Lan Li, Assistant Professor
Timothy J. Murnen, Assistant Professor
Ms. Pat Ritchey, Lecturer
Dr. John Sorg, Instructor
Dr. Sharon Subreenduth, Assistant Professor
Ms. Jenny Thompson, Instructor

ALUMNI
Alumni are encouraged to update their records with BGSU.  To do so, complete the form at www.bgsu.edu/offices/alumni/updateadd.html.  Current BGSU Alumni should visit the Alumni Connections webpage (www.alumniconnections.com/olc/pub/bgu).

ADVISING
Faculty advisors and professional advisors are committed to helping all students succeed.  Students in the Middle Childhood program receive advising from an assigned faculty member in the middle childhood program, and from the College of Education and Human Development’s Undergraduate Student Services office, which provides a variety of services to assist students in meeting their personal and professional goals (www.bgsu.edu/colleges/edhd/advising).

ACCREDITATION
The Middle Childhood Studies Program is accredited by the Ohio Department of Education and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

SERVICES AND RESOURCES
Students have the opportunity to student teach in English-speaking schools in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Montreal, Canada.  One of the newest student teaching sites outside the state of Ohio is Lamar, Texas.  Students interested in one of these student teaching sites should contact the Undergraduate Student Services Office in 365 Education Building.

The Technology and Resource Center provides audio-visual equipment, networked Macintosh/IBM-compatible computers, laser printing, videodisc players, scanners, and a wide variety of application and educational software.  Some classrooms are furnished with computers, a projection system, scanner, printer, VCR, and stereo sound system.

BGSU’s Career Services sponsors one of the largest Teacher Job Fairs in the country.  Students who attend the job fair generally experience a high placement rate.  The overall placement rate for BGSU teacher education graduates is exceptionally high, especially for graduates who are not geographically limited. For more information on the services provided by Career Services, check their website (www.bgsu.edu/offices/sa/career)

Many opportunities for education-related clubs and organizations are also available within the College of Education and Human Development.  BGSU’s Student Education Association is one of the largest in the nation.  Additionally, the college  has an active Collegiate Middle Level Association (CMLA), which is an affiliate of the National Middle School Association. Other professional organizations, both academic and non-academic, are available to students.  Opportunities are also available for those interested in Greek Life or student government.  A complete listing of student organizations on the BGSU campus is available on the student organizations website (www.gsu.edu/offices/sa/life/organizations.html).

The Curriculum and Resource Center in Jerome Library contains more than 80,000 multimedia materials for education majors to use in field experience and classroom activities.  These materials range from children’s books to puppets and computer software.  Visual aids, videos, textbooks, and other resources are available in the CRC.  The CRC maintains a website (www.bgsu.edu/colleges/library/crc).  In addition, the CRC also maintains a website many of the area schools where professional year students are placed (www.bgsu.edu/colleges/library/crc/schooldistricts.html).

SCHOLARSHIPS
A list of all scholarships available to students in the College of Education and Human Development is available at www.bgsu.edu/colleges/edhd/scholarships.html.  A list of all scholarships available to BGSU students is available through the Student Financial Aid Office at www.bgsu.edu/offices/sfa.

FINANCIAL AID
Approximately 60% of BGSU students receive financial aid.  Additional information is available through the Student Financial Aid Office, www.bgsu.edu/offices/sfa.

UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROGRAM
Students in the middle childhood program are prepared to teach two subject areas--math, social studies, language arts, and/or science--in grades 4-9.

GRANT AND RESEARCH ACTIVITY
Faculty working in this area are pursuing a number of research interests including urban education, democracy education, literacy, science and math education.  Grants have been awarded to faculty members in this area from the United States Department of Education, Ohio Board of Regents, and the National Science Foundation.

Dr. Banister is conducting research in local K-12 schools, focusing on the impact of computer technology on teaching and learning.  The multimedia reports coming out of this research have been funded, in part, through Project PICT, a national PT3 grant.  She has also received funding through the Ohio Learning Network for her work in online course development.

Dr. Brahier (Mathematics Education) is working on a number of grants which include SUCCESS IV (an Improving Teacher Quality Grant-funded project) and C2aSDII (through Project SUSTAIN). These grants are designed to improve mathematics education throughout northwestern Ohio.

Dr. Ballone Duran (Science Education) is the Principal Investigator and Project Director for a series of Ohio Board of Regent’s Improving Teacher Quality Grants entitled: Project ASTER I, II & III: Active Science Teaching Encourages Reform.  She also serves as the co- principal investigator for a NSF Grant entitled PRISM:  Partnership for Reform through Inquiry in Science and Mathematics.  In addition, she has served as the Co-Principal Investigator for Web-Based Scientific Inquiry in Astronomy and Physics for Middle Childhood Educators.  These projects are all designed to improve science teaching and learning at K-12 and college level.

CURRICULUM
This is a highly competitive, four-and-a-half year program that requires meeting additional admission criteria. Consult the Undergraduate Student Service office, 365 Education, for additional information. A graduate completing the middle childhood major, possessing a 2.8 accumulative grade point average and successfully completing the Praxis Examinations is eligible for a middle childhood license, valid for teaching grades four through nine (ages 8-14) in the two concentration areas selected (refer to the middle childhood checksheet).

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, students in teacher education programs are expected to:

• Apply theories of human development and learning to their teaching through the design of lessons and units of instruction;
• Plan, implement and assess instructional strategies;
• Exhibit professional and ethical behavior when working with students, their parents, other educators and community members.

Content (70-88 hours)

• ARTE 245 or KNS 243 or MUED 245 (2)
• BIOL 101 or 104 (3-4)
• EDTL 242, 301, 302, 341, 343 (15)
• ENG 343 (3)
• MATH 215 (3)

Select two of the following areas:

• Science: BIOL 101, 104; CHEM 109, 110; GEOL 104 or 105; GEOG 125 or 213; PHYS 100 or 101; ASTR 201 or 212 (24)
• Mathematics: MATH 131 (or 134 and 135), 216 and 415, 222 or 322, 247 or 341 or 441; EDTL 345 (20-21)
• Social studies: HIST 151, 205; GEOG 121, 230; ECON 200; BUSE 240; POLS 171, 304; SOC 231 or HIST 152 or POLS 372 or POLS 355 or POLS 351, or POLS 459, or ETHN 201 or GEOG 225 (27)
• Language arts: ENG 201, 262, 380, 381, 484; ENG 200 (Women's or Black Lit.) or THFM 215 or THFM 350 or ENG 261; JOUR 100 or JOUR 455 or TCOM 103 or POPC 165; THFM 340 or WS 301 or JOUR 201 or POPC 320 or THFM 202.

Professional education (43 hours)

• EDAS 409 (3)
• EDHD 201 (2)
• EDFI 303, 402, 408, 420 (10)
• EDIS 431 (3)
• EDTL 202, 340, 492 (18)

Students are required to take a methods course for each area selected.

• Select two: EDTL 346, 347, 348, 349 (6)

ENTRY TO THE PROGRAM
Admission to the program requires completion of 45 hours of credit; a "C" or higher in ENG 112, IPC 102, EDHD 201, MATH 215, EDFI 303; and an overall GPA of 2.8. Students must pass Praxis II in both content areas prior to methods.

DEGREE
Graduates receive a B.S. in Education.

LICENSURE
The BGSU Middle Childhood Program is designed to prepare students for Ohio's Middle Childhood license. This license allows graduates to teach children who are typically developing, at-risk, gifted, and who have mild/moderate educational needs. The license is issued for grades 4 through 9.

Admission to the program requires completion of 45 hours of credit; a "C" or higher in ENG 112, IPC 102, EDHD 201, EDTL 202, MATH 215, EDFI 303; and an overall GPA of 2.8, plus a 2.8 in each area of concentration, Students must pass Praxis II in both content areas prior to the methods semester

To be eligible for Ohio's Middle Childhood provisional license, students must successfully complete the coursework listed on their advising checksheet, including 12 hours of reading coursework, and must pass the required PRAXIS II examinations. This provisional license is valid for 2 years. To move to the next level of licensure, students must pass the PRAXIS III exam.