EDUU 510 Professional Disposition Self-Assessment
School of Education Professional Dispositions
The professional conduct of every educator affects attitudes toward the profession. In accordance with the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) accreditation standards, the School of Education at Brandman University assumes responsibility for ensuring that individuals who complete any of our programs are not only academically competent but aware of and capable of functioning with the established ethical and professional standards of the profession.
The mission of the Brandman University School of Education is to develop strategic, innovative and caring leaders, scholars, and practitioners who are empowered to fulfill the promise and purpose of education in a pluralistic and democratic society by promoting constructive change within local, state, national and global communities. The School of Education is committed to ensuring that all candidates successfully complete their programs with not only the knowledge and skills necessary to work in educational settings, but also with the appropriate dispositions.
The National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) defines dispositions as “professional attitudes, values and beliefs demonstrated through both verbal and non-verbal behaviors as educators interact with students, families, colleagues and communities. These positive behaviors support student learning and development.” The School of Education at Brandman University has adopted a set of professional dispositions that we feel are essential for prospective educators to possess and demonstrate throughout their program. The dispositions adopted by Brandman University’s School of Education are listed below. The behaviors listed are examples of the kind of conduct expected of students in the School of Education, but are not intended to be inclusive.
1. Professional Demeanor & Responsibility - punctual and prepared for classes and field experiences, dresses appropriately in professional settings, responsible for meeting deadlines and following instructions, accepts responsibility for own actions, capable of dealing with disappointment, flexible, adapts to change, reacts appropriately under stress, exhibits a positive attitude toward schools, teaching, students and parents
2. Commitment to Learning for ALL Students - shows sensitivity to all students, respects individual differences, responds to the needs of students and their families and communities, embraces diversity to improve student learning, demonstrates compassion, patience and fairness
3. Communication - demonstrates responsive listening skills, able to communicate with a variety of
audiences, demonstrates a willingness and commitment to continually improve communication skills
4. Collaboration - is skilled in expressing self in groups, works effectively with professional colleagues and other adults, able to accept and respect different points of view
5. Self-Reflection - engages in problem solving and self-evaluation, accepts and acts upon constructive criticism and is receptive to new ideas, uses feedback to make improvements, strives for personal and professional growth
6. Ethics - demonstrates truthfulness and honesty, maintains ethical and legal behaviors in interactions with others, maintains confidentiality, respects the intellectual property of others by giving credit and avoiding plagiarism/cheating
When there are concerns about a candidate’s dispositions, action plans for remediation will be enacted and, if necessary, candidates that do not demonstrate these dispositions may be dismissed from their program as described in the Professional Dispositions Procedures.
Professional Dispositions Procedures
Introduction to the Dispositions Students enrolled in School of Education programs are introduced to the professional dispositions during their initial session with their academic advisor. The dispositions are described in the program handbooks and are posted in My Brandman. There is also a link to the dispositions in the Dean’s admission letter and in emails sent to candidates each term. A link to the dispositions can also be found in the university catalog, course syllabi and Blackboard course shells. Assessment of Dispositions Candidates complete a self-assessment of professional dispositions at the beginning and end of their program. Instructors and university supervisors complete the inventory in specific courses during a candidate’s program through LiveText. If candidates receive a “Cause for Concern” on any disposition the following procedures will be followed: Warning- Instructors must discuss the concern with the candidate in advance 1st “Cause for Concern” The faculty or cohort mentor and instructor (when appropriate) will meet with the candidate. The behavior will be discussed and an action plan developed. A copy of the plan will be placed in the candidate’s file. The remediation plan will be monitored by the candidate’s faculty mentor. If the candidate’s behavior is corrected no further action will be necessary.* 2nd “Cause for Concern” A Code of Conduct Professional Review Committee will meet to discuss the situation. During this meeting all disposition inventories will be reviewed and the committee will make a recommendation about whether or not the candidate should remain in the program. The decision will be forwarded to the Dean of the School of Education who will make the final decision regarding dismissal. * 3rd “Cause for Concern” The candidate will be recommended for dismissal to the Dean of the School of Education who will make the final decision regarding dismissal. *Subsequence violations of the same disposition or any additional disposition will be referred to the dean for consideration of next steps. Candidates who do not respond to meeting requests about dispositions will also be referred to the dean. Unprofessional Conduct Clause: In the event a student is alleged to have committed an egregious violation of professional dispositions while enrolled in the School of Education at Brandman University the candidate may be suspended from the course or from a fieldwork placement immediately by the Dean of the School of Education. The Dean of the School of Education will determine whether an investigation leading to a referral to the Professional Review Committee is warranted, or whether the candidate shall be immediately dismissed from the University.
Appeals Process
If a candidate is recommended for dismissal from an education program he/she has the right to appeal the decision. The candidate may submit a written request for the appeal to the Regional Appeals Board. The appeal will be made before a panel. The decision of the panel is final and cannot be appealed.
Professional Dispositions Inventory
The School of Education at Brandman University has adopted a set of professional dispositions that are essential for prospective educators to possess and demonstrate throughout their program.
Professional dispositions will be assessed at several different points in a candidate’s program by specific instructors and university supervisors. Candidates will also complete a self-assessment of professional dispositions at the beginning and end of their program. When there are concerns about a candidate’s dispositions, action plans for remediation will be enacted and, if necessary, candidates who do not demonstrate these dispositions may be dismissed from the credential, master’s or doctoral program as described in the Professional Dispositions Procedures.
The dispositions adopted by Brandman University’s School of Education are listed below. The behaviors listed are examples of the kind of conduct expected of students in the School of Education, but are not intended to be inclusive. Check the appropriate box to describe student development with regard to each disposition. If you mark “cause for concern” the concern must have been discussed with the candidate in advance and you must explain the concern in the comment box. A meeting will be held with the faculty or cohort mentor, instructor (when appropriate) and candidate when a cause for concern is noted so that an action plan can be developed.
Professional Behaviors or Dispositions Achieving
Developing
Cause for Concern
1. Professional Demeanor & Responsibility- punctual and prepared for classes and field experiences, dresses appropriately in professional settings, responsible for meeting deadlines and following instructions, accepts responsibility for own actions, capable of dealing with disappointment, flexible, adapts to change, reacts appropriately under stress, exhibits a positive attitude toward schools, teaching, students and parents
2. Commitment to Learning for ALL Students- shows sensitivity to all students, respects individual differences, responds to the needs of students and their families and communities, embraces diversity to improve student learning, demonstrates compassion, patience and fairness
3. Communication - demonstrates responsive listening skills, able to communicate with a variety of audiences, demonstrates a willingness and commitment to continually improve communication skills
4. Collaboration - is skilled in expressing self in groups, works effectively with professional colleagues and other adults, able to accept and respect different points of view
5. Self-Reflection - engages in problem solving and self-evaluation, accepts and acts upon constructive criticism and is receptive to new ideas, uses feedback
to make improvements, strives for personal and professional growth
6. Ethics - demonstrates truthfulness and honesty, maintains ethical and legal behaviors in interactions with others, maintains confidentiality, respects the intellectual property of others by giving credit and avoiding plagiarism/cheating*
* Violations of academic integrity including, but not limited to, plagiarism or cheating are addressed through the process described in the University’s Academic Integrity Policy