Centers
Center for Professional Development of Teachers
The School of Education has been designated a Center for Professional Development of Teachers (CPDT). The teacher preparation plan has been restructured to provide extensive school-based experiences for prospective educators. These expanded experiences include a two-semester internship, field-based courses and close cooperation with a number of schools, which have been designated as professional development school sites. These sites operate under the philosophy that every staff member is a mentor, providing a rich and supportive environment for the preparation of professional educators. The CPDT coordinates field experiences and works with the Center for Educational Programs (CEP) in providing a wide array of professional development opportunities. The CPDT also provides technological support and professional development.
Field-based experiences and graduate internships take place in a variety of settings in 22 area school districts. Fifty-four schools have been designated as professional development schools (PDS) and provide pre-service internships and professional mentoring. In addition, the SoE has contracts with 56 additional school districts and over 78 businesses to provide graduate internship placements.
Professional Development Laboratory School
The University of Houston-Clear Lake and the Clear Creek Independent School District (CCISD) have entered into a partnership to create and maintain a professional development laboratory school (PDLS). The PDLS is located in what was McWhirter Elementary School in Webster, Texas and opened at the beginning of the 2002 - 2003 school year.
The School of Education acts on behalf of the University to oversee the PDLS. UHCL faculty provides instructional leadership, conducts research, and engages in professional development. In addition some SOE courses are taught at the PDLS. The main focus of the PDLS is on developing a partnership that provides educational opportunities for UHCL and CCISD faculty, students and the school community. Faculty and students interested in being involved in the PDLS should contact the SoE Associate Dean.
Center for Educational Programs
The Center for Educational Programs (CEP) provides academic and outreach services to students, faculty, schools, school districts, other educational entities and members of the community. The CEP coordinates the SoE's clinical services, provides facilities and coordination for laboratory experiences, supports a broad range of programs for children and youth, offers non-credit courses for area educators, assists local schools and school districts in emerging and ongoing professional development activities and promotes and supports various projects of the SoE..
Research Center For Language And Culture
This center supports initiatives in research and development of educational programs for students working with second language learners and their families. Funded projects have included teacher training, bilingual counselor training and bilingual administrator training.
Learning Resources Review Center
This center is jointly sponsored by the Alfred R. Neumann Library and the SoE and houses current children's books furnished by the generosity of publishers and producers of books and materials. The primary function of the center is to encourage review activities.
