For Immediate Release
February 4, 2010

Contact:
Tim Moman
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(480) 557-7970

Tempe graduate school receives accreditation
Online school provides one-to-one coaching

TEMPE, Ariz. — The Tempe-based American Graduate School of Education (AGSE) received accreditation in January from the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), a nonprofit, national accrediting agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education and a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Accreditation is a process used to ensure the quality of educational programs.

Founded in 2006, AGSE currently offers two master’s programs: The Master of Arts in Elementary Education and the Master of Arts in Secondary Education. The students are teachers, currently teaching in K-12, who want to enhance their instructional skills and obtain a master’s degree. Teachers from 18 countries, many from the Middle East and China, are currently enrolled.

AGSE’s emphasis on teaching is unique because it began with an idea about supporting teachers. Two Arizona educators with more than 25 years in professional development, Dr. Sharon Bolster and Dr. Marilynn Henley, found that teachers who receive support in their classrooms are more successful. “Research has shown that teachers who discuss instruction with their colleagues improve their instructional skills and teachers who have a coach improve their instructional skills even more,” says Bolster. “The result is increased student achievement.”

Teachers often have no time to discuss instruction or find a coach or mentor. “In 2005, we decided to expand our onsite consulting to an online program as a solution to these problems,” says Henley. “Technology experts, Michael Turico and Tim Moman joined the company in 2006 and the program became the American Graduate School of Education.”

Turico immediately searched for a more effective delivery system. “We chose a delivery system that was available 24/7 and easy to navigate,” says Turico. “The functions allow teachers to engage in discussion whenever it is convenient for them.”

AGSE provides discussion forums called Virtual Learning Communities (VLCs) for the teachers. Henley says, “We also modified the role of the professors. AGSE professors, called Learning Coaches, do not develop courses, design instruction, or give lectures. Instead, they coach the teachers.”

In the courses, teachers complete assignments by applying research-based instructional strategies in their classrooms with the content they currently teach. “They then discuss their results via the VLC forums,” says Bolster. “The Learning Coaches discuss these results with each teacher, asking questions and suggesting adjustments for future teaching.”

Moman adds, “We have developed the most impactful master’s degree program offered today. Our mission is to empower educators with instructional strategies that make a difference in their classrooms. We do this, but never compromise the affordability, convenience, and mentoring they receive in the programs.”

Second semester begins Feb. 14th. For more information, visit www.agse.edu.

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