In 1992, The University of Arizona created a Science and Math Education Promotion & Tenure Committee (SEPTC) to provide independent input into promotion and tenure cases of affected faculty. UA's SEPTC program is innovative nationally and recognizes a greater awareness on the part of the University to broadening the traditionally narrow definition of research. The procedures begin with a written agreement between a faculty member and the department head as to the percent of time to be spent on mathematics or science education. Department heads are urged to consult with the entire faculty before reaching such agreements so that the general faculty are aware of the expectations in mathematics or science education. At promotion and tenure times, either concurrently with or previous to submission of materials to the departmental evaluation committee, and with approval of the faculty member, SEPTC solicits evaluations from appropriate outside and inside referees. Then SEPTC meets with the candidate to discuss its preliminary evaluation and seek further information and clarification. SEPTC evaluates all materials and sends them with its recommendation on the case to the appropriate department head and evaluation committee. SEPTC's material and recommendation become part of the permanent record. SEPTC guidelines and implementation across the University have had broad impact in terms of dissolving boundaries between teaching and research. By giving educational issues equal status, the guidelines encourage cooperation between faculty involved in traditional research and faculty involved in educational research on how to teach science and mathematics to undergraduates and pre-college teachers. Two examples include new faculty involved in pre-service science education (K-12) in several departments, and the nation-wide calculus reform effort, where faculty in the Mathematics department at the UA who are prominent in both research and education have played a seminal role.
1 October 1997 Contact Us |
