The inception of teacher education programs at IU Kokomo was a direct response to the demands of local educators seeking coursework to fulfill state licensing requirements. Subsequently, the Kokomo School of Education was established to meet the educational needs of residents in north central Indiana, providing convenient access to high-quality programs. In 1969, the campus awarded its first Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education degree.

Mission

The School of Education maintains the highest standards for students in its initial teacher education programs. The successful teacher must master both a body of content knowledge and effective teaching skills. The initial teacher education programs offer a balance of broad liberal arts education and specialized knowledge in professional education and concentrated areas. Students choose from a variety of options to fulfill their educational requirements. P-12 classroom teachers gain advanced knowledge of educational foundations, technology, inquiry, subject area content and content pedagogy. The purposes of the initial teacher education programs are (1) to prepare students to serve as effective teachers and members of the profession, (2) to assist students in meeting Indiana certification requirements for public school personnel, and (3) to assist Indiana University graduates in securing satisfying professional positions. The purposes of the advanced teacher education program are (1) to prepare P-12 classroom teachers in reflective and inquiry-based practices, (2) to prepare P-12 classroom teachers in effectively and efficiently utilizing technology in their practice, and (3) to ultimately improve classroom teaching and student learning in central Indiana.

Programs

The School of Education offers two baccalaureate degrees: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. In addition, a post-baccalaureate Transition to Teaching licensing program, English Language Learners certificate program, and online collaborative graduate programs are offered at IU Kokomo.

Accreditation

The School of Education at Indiana University Kokomo is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) for a period of 7 years from Spring 2024 to Spring 2031.  The accreditation does not include individual education courses that the EPP offers to P-12 educators for professional development, re-licensure, or other purposes. The School of Education is also accredited by the Indiana Department of Education.

Student’s Responsibility

Advisors assist students in planning a program of study to satisfy requirements; however, each student assumes final responsibility for meeting deadlines and completing requirements for licensure and/or graduation. It is therefore essential that all students be familiar with the degree and licensure requirements outlined in the bulletin and student handbooks.

Affirmative Action

The School of Education has a strong policy against discrimination that affects student teaching and teacher placement. Discrimination refers to the exclusion of a teacher or a prospective teacher from any position, assignment, or learning opportunity on the basis of any of the following criteria: race, color, minor variations in accent or dialect, religion, gender, national or social origin, economic condition of birth, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other criterion not directly related to ability as a teacher. The central characteristic of discrimination is the denial of an objective judgment of individual worth by assigning, deliberately or unintentionally, stereotyped status to an individual. It thus introduces criteria that are not relevant to confirmable professional judgment of the quality of an individual’s performance. Any complaint concerning discrimination should be called to the attention of the Dean of the School of Education at IU Kokomo.