Dr. Susan Polirstok
Dean
College of Education

Never before has the need for qualified educators been greater.  Our programs reflect the consensus of our faculty that education has the power to transform individuals and society and that respect for diversity and the provision of educational opportunity for all is fundamentally important in a pluralistic, democratic society. Today and every day, Kean graduates are making a real difference in the lives of young people both in the United States and abroad.

In addition to the academic departments, the College of Education administrates: the Garden State Partnership for Teacher Quality, New Vistas Teacher Project, Professional Impact NJ, Progressive Science Initiative and Project Adelante.

The links below will take you to a listing of the research interests and current research activities of faculty in the College of Education and will provide access to individual faculty web pages.

School of Communication Disorders and Deafness



Communication Disorders & Deafness

The ability to communicate successfully has been called "the human essence". The programs and faculty of Communication Disorders and Deafness are dedicated to maximizing this essential component of life. Faculty conduct research in language disorders in children and adults; neuro-auditory and brain processes; symbolic/pretend play; effective treatment in Aphasia rehabilitation; and, communication ability of Alzheimer’s patients, among other areas. The Kean University Institute for Adults Living with Communication Disabilities provides a clinical practicum site for graduate students as well as providing state-of-the-art communication and cognitive therapy services for adults.

 

School of Curriculum and Teaching

 


Early Childhood and Family Studies

The Early Childhood and Family Studies program is based on well researched theories of child development and reflects the position document on Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs, adopted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC, 1997). Faculty investigate research topics such as current/emerging information and communication technology in early childhood education and teacher preparation; the relationship between early childhood classroom environments and the language development of preschool children; and, the Reggio Emilia approach, an arts-based, integrated curriculum approach to working with young children from infancy through age five.

Elementary and Bilingual Education

The Elementary and Bilingual Education faculty develop their student's knowledge of the field through study of the development of educational thinking and practices, and discussion of various topics, including lesson and unit planning, technology, assessment and multiple intelligences. Faculty investigate research topics such as how language mediates learning and school success; the development of writing assessment scoring methods; and, literacy success for English language learners.

Middle and Secondary Education

The Middle and Secondary Education faculty focus on issues of teaching. learning, and learning to teach in middle school (grades 5-8), and secondary classrooms.

School of Global Education and Innovation


Global Education and Innovation

The faculty of the School of Global Education and Innovation, which is built on 21st century pedagogy, are focused on the importance of educating globally aware teachers.

Other Departments



Physical Education, Recreation and Health

The Physical Education, Recreation and Health faculty are accomplished scholars in the areas of therapeutic recreation and commercial recreation, strength and conditioning, and sports nutrition. They are committed to the concept that physical activity is linked to the psychological and social well being of the public.

Special Education and Literacy

Special Education faculty focus on human learning and development across the life span and provide an important array of conceptual, technical, and therapeutic perspectives to the study of learning in a variety of professional contexts in special education. Project Excel continues a tradition of individual attention to students with learning disabilities (LD) that is reflective of the university mission.

The Center for Innovative Education at Kean University sponsors the New Jersey Literacy Consortium to advance best practices in language arts literacy by educators in the State.