Mission & Philosophy of the Graduate School of Education

This page is devoted to the theoretical, ethical and scientific foundations that underlie offerings of the Graduate School of Education (GSOE) at Alliant International University. These foundations are summed up by three key documents:

• the school's mission statement
• a conceptual framework, and 
• the SANKOFA iniative, which governs how we put our programs together.

Graduate School of Education Conceptual Framework

The Conceptual Framework for Alliant International University Graduate School of Education programs is grounded in three major theoretical and practical educational constructs. It is our shared belief that theory and practice are reflexive domains that intersect across the education continuum.This framework is grounded in constructivist theory and works of Searle, 1998; Bruner, 1990; and Vygotsky, 1978 which view learners as conscious agents whose background, prior knowledge, and dispositions greatly contribute to the learning process. Additionally, the conceptual framework is grounded in neuropsychological research (i.e.: Luria, 1969; Gardner, 1999; Sternberg, 2000) which addresses intelligence, problem solving and conceptualizations, planning and organization, academic skills, memory and cognition, language, emotions, behavior and personality, perceptual motor abilities, critical thinking and attention.

The first tenant of our Conceptual Framework is constructivist theory, which views learners as conscious agents whose background, prior knowledge and dispositions greatly contribute to their participation in the learning process. The second tenant is the affirmation of, the commitment to, and the support for issues of diversity, inclusive of multiculturalism, cross-culturalism and globalism.  The third is grounded in neuropsychological research that addresses intelligences, problem solving and conceptualization, planning and organization, academic skills, memory and cognition, language, emotions, behavior and personality, perceptual motor abilities, and attention. 

The SANKOFA Initiatives

We implement these concepts through the SANKOFA* Initiatives which provide the basis for all actions in the Graduate School of Education:

Stimulate intellectual vitality, create new knowledge and engender passion for the education profession;

Achieve international recognition in the field of education for our teaching, research and community outreach;

Network authentic partnerships through the Partners of Success model that will enhance the mutual well being of candidates, faculty and staffing of our Learning Communities;

Keep and perpetuate legacies of excellence as shared by a stakeholder coalition of alumni, faculty, candidates, administrators, Alliant board members, and friends for the Graduate School of Education;

Offer candidates in the Graduate School of Education a world class education that prepares them to establish a global community of learners and education specialists who advance society worldwide;

Facilitate an inclusive, creative, technologically sophisticated and materially supportive environment in which to prosper, work, recruit, mentor, and study; and,

Appreciate, celebrate and promote accomplishments and contributions from our Graduate School of Education and a diverse cadre of scholars.

* SANKOFA is derived from a proverb of the Akan people of Ghana. The words San (return), Ko (go), and Fa (look, seek, take) infer that an intelligent and patient quest for future knowledge and goals is informed by a critical examination of the wisdom of the past.

California Commission for Teacher Credentialing: Accreditation Update