The Department of Educational Theory, Policy, and Practice enjoyed a number of successes related to three primary goals of research, teaching, and service for the 2005-06 academic year. These included redesigning the master’s degrees in curriculum and instruction, gifted education, and special education; hiring five new faculty members; and completing the university review self-study process. All of these goals were achieved successfully, with particular distinction in the review process in which the department received the second highest designation recognized by the university.

During the combined academic and calendar years, the college restructured, merging the Department of Curriculum & Instruction with the Department of Educational Leadership, Research, and Counseling. The new department known as ETPP consists of five elected division leaders which met with faculty to initiate a sharing process that would continue throughout the year and would result in mutual appreciation and support of each group’s expertise.

In addition to the preparation of future school personnel to assume the roles of teacher, counselor, and administrator the mission of the department has expanded to mix theory, policy leadership, and research with its traditional focus on practice.

With this synergy, students encounter a healthy combination of theory, policy, research, and application as they matriculate throughout their curriculum. Reflection becomes critically important as faculty encourage students to consider ways to improve in every given situation.

Experience in a multicultural field setting continues to be the heartbeat of the undergraduate and professional preparation programs. While all third and fourth year students have the chance to observe and work with students in a classroom setting, numerous faculty have added a service learning component to classes at the freshman and sophomore levels, thus providing pre-service teachers with an early opportunity to “test” their ability and desire to work with students in PK-12.

Faculty designed new courses to satisfy student interests and needs in 2006. Petra Munro Hendry created “History, Culture, and Education in Louisiana,” an advanced doctoral course which enables students to examine contemporary educational issues from historical and cultural perspectives. The course infuses an interdisciplinary approach, including other departments across the campus and places an emphasis on the uses of primary sources. Yiping Lou designed the course “Implementing and

Evaluating Technology Supported Instruction,” a requirement for M.Ed. candidates. Kim MacGregor developed “Content Analysis,” which provides an additional course in the qualitative research track. Rita Culross, Robbie McHardy, and Jennifer Jolly worked to enhance course offerings in gifted education. Students will benefit from this creation of new content and integration of expertise through team teaching.
Under the guidance of Terry Buchanan and with expert assistance from new hire Renee’ Casbergue, the recently created PK-3 program has gained instant popularity with elementary pre-service candidates. Enrollments in the area continue to rise, prompting a need to secure additional faculty for Fall 2007.

ETPP personnel have embraced LSU’s Flagship Agenda and have worked diligently in both research and grant writing. Gary Gintner and Laura Choate investigated undergraduates’ involvement with alcoholic beverages. Choate also investigated wellness issues for girls and women, while Rita Culross and doctoral candidate Ji Yu examined women at work and play. Results from the Culross/Yu study were included in Choate’s publication, “Girls’ and women’s wellness: Contemporary counseling issues and interventions.”

In addition to publications, many faculty successfully securing funding from an increase in awarded grants. Kenton “Ken” Denny, a prolific researcher with a rapidly rising list of sponsored programs, continues to make profound contributions to special education. His recent grant will enable college staff and students to team with local K-12 teachers in providing increased services to special needs students.

Terry Buchanan secured funding to investigate children’s adjustment to Post-Hurricane Katrina, while Yiping Lou and Pam Blanchard’s grant will enable a three-year study of technology and science integration. David Kirshner and James Wandersee joined forces to obtain grants in both science and mathematics, which will provide additional fellowships for graduate students in the two disciplines.
ETPP faculty research and academic achievements are heralded world-wide as evidenced by the globe-encircling presentations delivered by 46 tenure/tenure track faculty and instructors during 2006. From Finland to The Bahamas, Malta, Bulgaria, Korea, England, Tunisia, Canada, Australia, and throughout the United States, department members represented Louisiana State University with pride by making 113 national and international presentations and over 30 additional speeches, workshops, and seminars locally. Faculty authored two books, forty-two articles, twelve book chapters, and three book reviews.

Faculty highlights from the year included Nina Asher who conducted archival research at the National Archives in New Delhi, India, and at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai, India, on colonialism and education, pertaining especially to issues of language, culture, and gender. Gerlinde Grandstaff-Beckers received the 2006 Scholarship for Research Contributions and Merit awarded by the American Association of University Women. I served as a member of the Editorial Board for Education Research Quarterly. Ken Denny received the LSU Greek Excellence Award for his work with campus fraternities. LSU’s chapter of the educational honorary Kappa Delta Epsilon received the Most Outstanding Chapter Award, co-advised by Margaret Denny and Karen Donnelly. Margaret-Mary Sulentic Dowell received the Ken Goodman “In Defense of Good Teaching” Award, presented by the University of Arizona.
Additionally, Denise Egea-Kuehne received the Trophees Femmes 3000 Award for Outstanding Achievement in Social and Cultural Action Outside France. Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation awarded Petra Munro Hendry their Preservation Honor Award for Education. Debbie Heroman received the Greek Excellence Award of the Year for her work with Kappa Delta. Nancy Litton won Best Supporting Actress for her role in House for Sale at the Baton Rouge Little Theater. Yiping Lou was selected as a Consulting Editor for Educational Technology, Research & Development, the most prestigious journal in educational technology.

In addition to this, Charles Teddlie is an advisory board member of the Chinese National Association of School Effectiveness and Improvement. LSU Alumni Association selected Beth Tope as one of seven national Outstanding Chapter Leaders. James Wandersee won the American Medal of Honor for his significant accomplishments in the field of botany education and captured the International Scientist of the Year Award, which was presented in Cambridge, England. Elizabeth Willis is collaborating with other College of Education faculty on a federal GEAR UP grant that will provide $5.4 million over a six-year period.

In addition to expanding our roles in theory and policy leadership, faculty continue to prepare K-12 leaders for school districts, researchers for a variety of opportunities in the school and business world, counselors for schools and various types of agencies, individuals interested in higher education, and educational technology specialists. Activities on the national and international scene in research, presentations, and external funding signaled a successful year for the newly restructured department.