University of South Carolina Spartanburg - Carolana Yearbook (Spartanburg, SC)

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'r Heirs of Education The School ot Education is re- sponsible for teaching, public ser- vlce and scholarship in the area of Teacher Education. The school and Its faculty have had an ac- tlve year in all three of these areas during 1980-81. The past year has also been a very active year as well. The school received a flve year accreditation from the National Association of State Dlrecfors of Teacher Education and Certification QNASDTECJ and accomplished major program revi- slons during the year. The Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secon dary Education Programs were re vised following the accredidation reports and these changes were approved by the USCS Faculty Sen- ate. The additional area of Earth Science certification was also add- ed in the Secondary Degree Pro gram. The service functions of the school have centered around providing in-service instruction. The USCS School of Education worked with Spartanburg District 4 ln Woodruff to provide a year long curriculum development in- service course at the graduate level. The structuring of this course has been accepted by the University system as a model for ln-service delivery. Additionally, faculty members have provided in-service to all seven Spartanburg districts and dlstrlcts across the state. One ot the most successful was the Pal- metto Middle School Science Proiect greatly supported by USCS. PTGCHCOI 6XDeTl9nCe WOTklI'1Q with children is G l'l9C9SSlTY in lTGlDiT'lQ fUfUI'9 TSOCTTSTS.

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Excellence in teaching is the top priority for the School of Education. The School of Education faculty has been recognized for outstanding teaching during the past year. Most of the faculty have also been se lected by the USC Graduate pro gram to teach graduate courses in the Spartanburg area. One faculty member was recognized as Teach- er of the Year for 1979-1980. A child's education is dependent on the education of the teachersg and USCS strives fo prepare the best teachers. Our future society depends on the children. Education is an important and essential part of their lives. Q? f 'Yun

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Words from the Wise The following interview was compiled from three separate interviews with Dr. Jane Davis- son, Dr. Michael Jilling, and Dr. Jack Turner. Jane Davisson, a professor ln the English Department, is Director of Developmental Studies. She is an 8 year vet- eran of USCS and received her Ph.D. from USC. Dr. Michael Jilling, a profes- sor in the Business Depart- ment, specializes in Interna- tlonal Finance. Dr. Jilling has been with the university for 6 years having received his Ph.D. from USC. Dr. Jack Turner is a protes- sor in the Science, Math, and Computer Science division. Dr. Turner is a 6 year veteran of USCS. He received his Ph.D from the University of Oklaho ma. Carolana: How have USCS students changed since you began teaching here? Are they as well prepared as they used to be? Davisson: The students at USCS have changed in the number at the University, their age, and the type of majors they are pursuing. I remem- ber reading last year's aver age age was 24 years and 9 months which is somewhat older than a traditional col lege age. We also have nine available majors at USCS and this is a definite increase. Whether a student is ade- quately prepared for college depends upon the student but I know that over 601 of all four- year colleges and uni versities in the United States have a department similar to the Department of Develop mental Studies at USCS. This means that many students need some preparation courses in order to be able to handle college level read Ing, English, and math Until students get away from academics, they don't realize the importance of any subject. -Turner courses. l'll let you draw your own conclusions. Jillingz I don't think they have changed noticably one way or the other. It seems to run in cycles. Sometimes you have one that is not quite as good. At least in my classes I did not notice an ongoing im- provement nor a deteriora- tion in student ability or prep aration. l've had very good classes years ago and I have good classes today. At USCS the type of student has not changed. As you know many of our students are not new high school graduates: they graduated years ago. If with this question you are raising the nationally declining SAT scores, please keep in mind that the decrease from year to year is a small decrease in the average score. It does not rule out any increase in the scores. In any case, I have not noticed a decrease In student ability and prepara l 40 E' 5 Dr. Davisson fion. Turner: Ipersonally don't think that students change. I have not noticed any change in the six years I have been here. Each group of students are different. Are