Beginning with fall 2006 classes, the College will offer the A.S. in Education with a concentration in Elementary Education.  Students completing the degree can transfer to a bachelors program.  In addition, those graduates will be able to satisfy the education requirements for paraprofessionals under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.  Presently, the degree transfers to Indiana State University and college officials are pursuing transfer with the University of Southern Indiana.

“By offering this degree, Ivy Tech is meeting the growing demand for teachers and credentialed paraprofessionals,” explained Dr. Jim Naas, Dean of Academic Affairs.  “For students interested in a career in education, this is a great place to start.”

According to Naas, the college (using Indiana Department of Labor information) estimates that 7,000 teachers will be eligible for retirement in the next two years.  In addition, one-third of all public school teachers are age 50 or over.  Combining these two estimates results in an immediate need to get students into the educational track for a career in teaching.