The results of the initial collaboration of state committees, and consequently one state 4-
year institution in collaborating with community colleges to enable a positive transfer
option will be shared. Steps taken to create a positive collaboration will be discussed.
D. Relevance – Implication for Policy
While tensions did and do exist between the community college system and 4-year
institutions, there are ways to successfully, professionally collaborate. It would be
preferable for institutions to embrace new/alternative ways of collaborating to provide
excellent teacher education without a mandate. However, the public is demanding a
more collaborative environment and sometime institutions have been slow to be sensitive
to change.
Part of the problem lies in what some term “consumer mentality” in education rather than
quality “traditional education.” It is imperative that at this time in which “highly
qualified teachers” are needed, that any collaboration and/or alternative program be at
least as rigorous as traditional teacher education preparation. This concern for highly
qualified teachers is also an opportunity for traditional teacher education programs to
examine what makes them unique and able to provide teacher preparation that ensures
that all children/youth will have competent, caring, creative teachers. The session will
explore what is currently happening with the collaborative partnership of AAT and 4-year
completion programs in one mid-western state.
E. Implications for Action
The results of the initial creation and acceptance of an Associate of Arts in Teaching
degrees as the basis from which to build completion programs will be discussed.
Possible models from the experience of one state may be applicable to other states
contemplating further two and four year collaborations.
Section 2 Outcomes
A. Description - What will participants will learn?
Steps and procedures used to build community college and four-year institution
collaboratives will be discussed. Major “sticking points” will be explored and ways to
overcome them will be shared.
B. Methods – How will you achieve outcomes?
Presentation of information from background to implementation of the acceptance of
AAT degrees will be shared. Open discussion of the participants will underscore how to
collaborate effectively and what other concerns may be unique to other situations.
Convention