In pursuit of its mission, the School has been guided by a set of principles and beliefs which stem from basic values such as educational quality and intellectual integrity, high standards and distinction, and respect for diversity and social justice.

Specifically action rests on the following principles:

• High Standards.
  All professional preparation programs should be characterized by distinction and those being prepared should be encouraged to aspire to and to meet the highest of standards;

• Respect for Diversity.
  All professional programs should be committed to strategies that foster understanding and respect of all persons a multicultural society;

• Educational Access and Social Justice.
  All professional preparation programs should promote access for a diverse learning community of students and serve as an advocate for groups that have been traditionally discriminated against;

• Collaboration.
  All professional preparation programs should recognize the need for evolving partnerships with educational and human service institutions within the region and state for the purpose of working together toward improvement and change and for enhancing our own teaching and scholarship;

• Expanding Opportunities.
  All professional preparation programs in education should be developed so that graduates are committed to providing first-rate and expanded educational opportunities to all learners in society.

• Effective Teaching.
  All Faculty should be committed to serving students and providing for them the highest quality of teaching supported by appropriate intellectual and scholarly agendas;

• Student Development.
  The School should be committed to student development through specific activities aimed at developing reflective practitioners and life-long learners;

• Faculty Development.
  The School should be committed to faculty development through specific programs and by encouraging faculty to engage in scholarly inquiry within their professional fields.