Illinois State University Laboratory Schools

Our role in teacher education:

•   Provide schools in which excellence in education theory and practice can be observed, studied and practiced by teacher candidates and other pre-service school professionals

•   Provide environments in which research and development activities may be conducted

•   Provide comprehensive, high–quality academic program for Metcalf and University High School students

•   Promote effective, high-quality education throughout the teaching profession and to aid other educators in the process of improving quality of education in their schools

Ways our role in teacher education is implemented:

•   Site for clinicals

  •    At least eleven departments every semester
  •    At least forty-two different courses
  •    Year long internship opportunity at U-High
  •    Pre-K through twelfth grade
  •    Special education- hearing, vision and new listening spoken language preschool program

•   Chances for ISU students to work and/or volunteer in a variety of programs

  •    America Reads, America Counts paid tutors
  •    PAWS (Providing All With Success)- RtI Tier II- Reading and math groups led by ISU students
  •    Student workers in cafeteria, during recess, before and after school, working high school games
  •    Volunteer opportunities with classroom teachers, in U-Link, with extra-curricular activities

•   Ability for collaboration between ISU faculty and Laboratory Schools’ faculty

  •    Variety of clinical opportunities have been redesigned with collaborative efforts to enhance the experience for students
  •    New online registration system for clinicals was developed; discussion occurred about suggestions prior to the creation and feedback since implementation

•   Research Opportunities

  •    ISU faculty may submit ideas and or applications for research approvals
  •    These opportunities often invite collaboration between staff and are the beginnings of future projects

•   Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards

  •    Both schools have fully implemented CCSS
  •    Beginning stages of implementation of NGSS
  •    A Common Core class is offered to ISU faculty and students by Metcalf's Curriculum Coordinator, Christine Paxson

•   Standards-based Grading

  •    Both schools use standards-based grading as a system to provide feedback to both students and parents on the child’s level of understanding per standard
  •    Allows teachers and students to focus on standards from the beginning of the year

•   Technology Integration

  •    Students in grades 4-12 have one-to-one
  •    Students Pre-K-3^rd grade have access to and use technology daily
  •    Metcalf- Google School- Students and staff collaborating through use of Google
  •    Metcalf- Imaginarium- Collaborative space

•   Hosting sites to disseminate information for area professionals

  •    Schools throughout central Illinois visit U-High and Metcalf often to speak with faculty and administration and observe educational movements taking place

Create opportunities and consider the possibilities