Teacher Education in Illinois Public Community Colleges.

Overview & Synopsis

In 1990, the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) conducted a study to determine ways in which the community college system could increase its participation in the preparation of elementary and secondary teachers. Drawing information from ICCB course files and unit cost data, as well as a survey of the colleges, the study investigated the employment outlook for teachers; the number of community college students planning to major in teacher education; courses available in teacher education at the colleges; the number of credit hours generated in teacher education courses; methods used to promote teacher education; and articulation agreements between community colleges and four-year institutions. Study findings included the following: (1) statewide employment outlook data anticipate teacher shortages in math, science, special education, and bilingual education through the year 2000; (2) during fall 1990, the 38 districts reporting data identified 9,439 students planning to major in teacher education; (3) during fall 1990, a total of 951 teacher education courses were approved in the Illinois community colleges; (4) credit hours produced in teacher education in 1990 decreased relative to the number of credit hours produced across all baccalaureate/transfer programs; (5) frequently mentioned promotional approaches included brochures and newsletters; and (6) 22 colleges reported teacher-education articulation agreements with four-year institutions. Data tables, references, and a list of promotional methods used at selected community colleges are included. (JMC)