National College of Education
A leader in progressive education
The interviews below of our faculty and alumni highlight how the National College of Education (NCE) advocates for progressive and inclusive education. Working collaboratively in diverse communities, our goal is to promote educational success for all. We believe that connecting the University with partner schools, districts and faculty allows us to draw upon our strengths, meet community needs, and enhance the education of our teachers and their students.
We invite you to watch these videos to hear more about NCE's initiatives and achievements and visit
Education at NLU to learn more about the college's programs and degree offerings.
Shaping Best Practices in Teacher Training
NLU has developed teacher residency programs—in both the city and the suburbs—that allow teachers to spend more time training in the classroom, so they are better prepared to run their own classrooms upon graduation.
These one-year training programs which involve supervision by an NLU mentor are beneficial for new teachers and career changers alike in building their in-classroom confidence, and give graduates an advantage when applying for teacher positions.
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Fostering Minority Students' Interest in the Teaching Profession
The gap between the number of minority teachers in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the minority student enrollment has grown significantly over the last decade.
NLU and CPS schools are working together to shift these demographics so they better reflect the student population by getting a jump on preparing the next generation of teachers. The Chicago Urban Teaching Academy Program (CUTAP), a first-of-its-kind Chicago educational program in conjunction with NLU, gives high school students a taste of the teaching profession before they even enter college.
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Advocating for Access to Technology for All
Founded by NLU faculty and other educators in 1986, Illinois Computing Educators (ICE) continues to lead the educational community in its goal of improving learning through technology.
The only lobbying group in Springfield that advocates for this type of educational innovation, its members—including NLU faculty and students—have taken on leadership roles to ensure all K-12 students have access to technology resources so there is greater equity in education among the state's schools.
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Pioneering a New Model of Teacher Training
NLU has an understanding of the work that needs to be done in Chicago Public Schools to ensure all students receive a quality education. And we believe part of the solution is to provide our students with enhanced teacher training.
The concept behind NLU's residency model is similar to that of how physicians are trained. For a full year, while taking their graduate classes, the teachers also intern in a classroom with a mentor and supervisors, to ensure they are getting the training they need to succeed once they graduate.
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Preparing Teachers to Support Diverse Students and Communities
From its founding in 1886, NLU has actively reached out to students, schools and communities to promote equity in education.
NLU recognizes that a child's education doesn't occur in isolation from the rest of his or her life. So NLU promotes community involvement when preparing educational leaders, so that they, too, will work toward providing every child with access to a solid education and opportunity.
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Cultivating Curiosity and Excitement in Learning
NLU's faculty members have long been proponents of using instructional technology because of its ability to engage students in their own learning—both in the higher education classroom and the K-12 environment.
Using technology in the NLU classroom environment, teacher candidates discover how it can be applied to improve student learning in the field. By bringing new technologies to students—including the iPad—NLU teachers collaborate with and engage learners.
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Convening the Greater Community to Face Educational Issues
National Louis University is leading a series of public discussions that are addressing pivotal issues facing education today.
NLU has a strong interest in bringing people together and collaborating to advance the field of education. Held in conjunction with the Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Golden Apple, NLU's series "Beyond These Times" focused on today's significant issues, and how together, educators can do a better job of envisioning and delivering excellence in education to the entire Chicago area.
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Utilizing Assessment Tools to Ensure Student Achievement
NLU faculty has developed various assessment tools for the National College of Education (NCE) that are used to provide students with support and feedback to help them succeed.
In order to continuously improve and graduate teachers who have met the benchmarks set, NCE has developed multiple assessment tools that help track students' progress throughout their program, helping to ensure their development. From setting initial expectations to regular evaluations and end-of-term interviews, the NCE professors and advisors keep close tabs on their students by keeping an open channel of communication.
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