Monroe Community College has become the first community college to join Pi
Lambda Theta (PLT), the International Honor Society and Professional
Association in Education.
The inclusion of a community college is the result of a three-year PLT
investigation that indicated the stable, long-term role of community colleges
in preparing credentialed teachers. PLT's findings concluded that community
colleges have been successful in recruiting students with ethnic backgrounds
and non-teaching work experience as well as those who cannot afford the higher
cost of four-year institutions.
According to J. Ogden Hamilton, PLT's executive director, it became clear
during the three years of program development that a few community colleges had
already become established as significant contributors to the preparation of
credentialed teachers in their state. "We learned a lot from folks at many of
those institutions, but none contributed more than the people at MCC," he said.
"It is gratifying and singularly appropriate that MCC has become the first
community college in the country to host a Pi Lambda Theta program."
The criteria for PLT recognition of a community college program are linked to
the most demanding standards in each state. In states that have designated an
associate's degree or transfer track for education majors, community college
programs are required to offer that degree or track to qualify for recognition.
In states where a degree or transfer track has not been adopted, a community
college must be fully articulated with at least one state-accredited four-year
education program. MCC has dual admission agreements for its teacher
preparation students with a dozen universities and colleges.
According to Janet Glocker, MCC's vice president, academic services, "Because
of our quality, value, ability to adapt quickly to local needs and our
expertise in teaching, MCC is very well positioned to begin preparing students
who wish to pursue teaching careers."
Janet Ekis
College and Community Relations
09/05/2002 |