Department of Teaching and Learning

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The Undergraduate Performance-Based Assessment Handbook

The academic standing and progress of all teacher education candidates must be reviewed at three strategic phases as they matriculate toward graduation. These strategic phases (milestones) are as follows:

1. Admission to the Teacher Education Program;
2. Admission to Internship; and
3. Exit from the Teacher Education Program
4. The Handbook will be distributed in EDUC 202: Educational Psychology, when the Milestone I Portfolio is developed.

Teacher Education Programs

The School of Education offers three major undergraduate programs for the preparation of teachers a non-licensure major in Early Childhood Education Human Development. Each Teacher Education program is built upon a sound liberal arts foundation and is designed to enable students to acquire the skills, knowledge, and understandings which all teachers should possess. All students in Teacher Education must meet the General Education Requirements. Student choices of courses should be made with the guidance of an advisor for the following reasons:

1. Specific General Education courses may be required for certain majors;
2. Additional credits may be required in certain subject areas;
3. Grades below “C” in certain courses may not be acceptable.

Teacher Education Council (TEC)

The Teacher Education Council is the major policy making body for the School of Education. The Council is responsible for all policy decisions in Teacher Education programs and for the general coordination between the Arts and Sciences and Education.

The Teacher Education Council Membership:

1. All program coordinators in the Teaching and Learning Department,
2. One (1) representative from each department in the University having Teacher Education programs;
3. The Coordinator of Field Services and Professional Development Schools;
4. The Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Education (CASE);

The Council is chaired by the Dean of CASE. The responsibilities of the Council are to:

1. Coordinate the planning of policies and standards for the development and implementation of the Teacher Education program;
2. Coordinate and develop policies and standards that govern the admission of students into Teacher Education;
3. Keep under review those students who have been admitted to a Teacher Education program;
4. Monitor and assess graduates from the Teacher Education program as a basis for future program revisions.

Admission to Teacher Education and Praxis Implementation Policy

A student, in order to be admitted to the School of Education, must declare an education major and apply for admission to Teacher Education.

Admission Requirements

1. Completed 45 credit hours;
2. Accumulative GPA of 2.85 or better and pass Praxis CORE Reading and Writing;
3. Completed English 101 and 102 (6 credit hours); and Math 131 or MATH 203 (3 credit hours);
4. Successfully complete the Milestone I Praxis;
5. Have the declaration of major form signed by the department chairperson;
6. Completed Application to Teacher Education Form signed by the department chairperson;
7. Successfully completed Praxis CORE Writing, with a score equal to or greater than the cut off scores, or the composite scores, set by Maryland State Department of Education; or meet SAT/ACT acceptable scores; and
8. Attend a mandatory orientation.

The following information also impacts students interested in entering Teacher Education.

1. Students must successfully complete all other course work before enrolling in methods courses.
2. Students must pass Praxis II exams prior to student teaching (teaching reading and content knowledge).

Students may ? the Praxis CORE Reading exam based on SAT or ACT scores.

Change of Major

Students who want to change their major after being admitted to Teacher Education must secure the approval of the chairperson of the department from which they wish to transfer and the approval of the chairperson of the department in which they are matriculating.

Transfer Students

All students who transfer into the University must meet all of the requirements for admission into Teacher Education, including a cumulative grade point average of 2.85. An official transcript of all course work taken at other colleges must be sent directly to the Admissions Office. Transfer students should check the deadline for admission into Teacher Education and file an application in the semester that all entry prerequisites will be completed.

Retention in Teacher Education

To remain in Teacher Education the student must have satisfactorily completed all General Education Requirements by the end of the sophomore year. A grade of “C” or higher must be earned in each English, mathematics, science, foundation, professional, and methods course. Academic records will be reviewed at least once each semester by the advisor to determine continuing eligibility for retention in the program.

Admission to Student Teaching

All students in Teacher Education must apply for student teaching at least one semester before the experience is to begin. By the end of the semester in which the application is made, the students must have:

1. Completed all General Education Requirements; acquired a 2.85 cumulative grade point average and passed Praxis CORE Reading;
2. Earned a grade of “C” or higher in all professional and methods courses;
3. Passed the physical examination;
4. Received the approval of the chairperson of the department in which the applicant will student teach;
5. Passed the interview with the Student Teacher Review Committee;
6. Obtained the qualifying scores established by MSDE on the Praxis CORE or SAT/ACT;
7. Successfully complete the Milestone II process;
8. Pass Praxis II exams (Teaching, Reading and Content Knowledge).

Exit Requirements

Teacher candidates are recommended for certification only when they have:

1. Successfully completed all course requirements of a particular program;
2. Successfully demonstrated continued competence, aptitude, and potential for satisfactory success in teaching;
3. Sucessfuly passed the Milestone III process;
4. Completed an Exit presentation with faculty panel; 
5. Meet the State of Maryland cut off scores on an ed TPA portfolio. The State of Maryland certification requires teacher candidates to meet a specific cutoff scores on Praxis Core, Praxis II, and a professional portfolio (ed TPA).

Department Programs

The major programs in the Department of Teaching and Learning are Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Child Care/Human Development (non-licensure); Elementary Education, and Special Education. The objectives of the department are to provide prospective teachers with: 1) a background in the liberal arts and sciences that will enable them to understand the complexities of the society in which they live, 2) a broad psychological, historical, and philosophical orientation to the foundations upon which the American school system is built, and 3) a variety of planned experiences that will increase their understanding of the school as a social and educational institution and the role of the teacher in the total education unit.

Availability of Courses to Non-Majors 

Most courses in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education may be taken by students majoring in other educational areas. Students desiring to take courses for enrichment or to complete an area of concentration or minor should confer with the chairperson of the Department of Teaching and Learning.

Department Regulations

A grade of “C” or higher must be earned in all English, mathematics, and education courses. A student must repeat any of these courses in which the minimum grade of “C” is not received. All developmental courses must be passed with a grade of PS. Students must meet the minimum cutoff scores on the Praxis established by the Maryland State Department of Education. The department reserves the right to make curriculum changes based on University requirements, certification requirements, departmental requirements, and the requirements of accrediting agencies.

Admissions Procedures (Licensure Programs Only)

Students who are interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree in the early childhood education human development program must meet the following requirements in order to declare a major:

• Must have a GPA of 2.85 and passed Praxis CORE Reading (or have a 3.0 or higher)
• Must have completed at least 45 credits
• Must have completed the English and Math requirements (ENGL 101 and ENGL 102;MATH 131 or MATH 203)
• Must submit a Declaration of Major Form
• Must pass Milestone I process
• Must complete an Entrance into Teacher Education Orientation
• Must have passed Praxis CORE Writing exam

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