"Instruction begins when you, the teacher, learn from the learner; put yourself in his place so that you may understand.what he learns and the way he understands it." Soren Kierkegaard

Benchmark 1: Admission to the Teacher Education Program
Students who are interested in teacher education must report to the Division of Education after completing a declaration of major form. The Director of Teacher Education will discuss certification requirements.

Effective Fall Semester 2003, all students admitted to the Teacher Education Program must begin to prepare a professional electronic portfolio containing:

• A current photograph
• An official degree plan signed by the student and the student's advisor.
• A copy of an official transcript that reflects completion of 60 semester hours of general education coursework with no grade below a "C" and a 2.75 cumulative grade point average.
• A record of successful passage of the Nelson-Denny reading test (or an equivalent test). An individualized remediation plan is needed if the results of the Nelson-Denny test (or an equivalent test) indicate a reading level below grade 12+.
• A record of successful passage of a pre-major field test in the appropriate content area.
• A disk that demonstrates basic technology proficiency: a Word document, an Excel spreadsheet, and a PowerPoint presentation.
• A philosophy of education paper including, a brief biographical sketch, philosophy of education, experiences with children, and educational goals. The student must score between 80 and 100 points on this paper.
• Three recommendations from content and professional education faculty with whom the student has taken classes.
• Evidence of having completed a criminal history check.

Students are not permitted to take professional education courses prior to admission to the Teacher Education Program.

During the second semester of the sophomore year, the student should complete the application for admission to the Teacher Education Program.

• Sign up in person in the Office of the Division of Education for an application six (6) weeks before the end of the semester.
• Return the completed application and portfolio in person to the Office of Education five (5) weeks prior to the end of the semester.
• Schedule interview appointments four (4) weeks prior to the end of the semester.
• Submit to an interview before the Division Chair or a designated representative during the last four (4) weeks of the sophomore year.
• (In addition to submission of the portfolio, the student must achieve a satisfactory rating for oral communication skills during the interview.)

The student will receive an official letter of notification regarding acceptance into the program.

To be retained in the Teacher Education Program, a student must:

• Maintain a 2.75 cumulative average.
• Maintain outstanding ethical behavior.

Benchmark 2: Admission to student teaching:
Following the completion of benchmark #1, the student is to add the following to the portfolio:

1. Updated degree plan information.
2. Updated transcript showing evidence of completion of all program course work.
3. Cumulative grade point average of 2.75
4. A reflective journal of all clinical field experiences.
5. Documented evidence of an 85% pass rate on each of the respective content TExES preparation courses.
6. Three new references from education and content faculty.
7. A completed application form.
   *No coursework is permitted during student teaching.

During the semester prior to student teaching, the following application process should be completed for admission to student teaching:

• Obtain an application for student teaching from the Director of Teacher Education.
• Return the completed application and portfolio in person to the Director of Teacher Education by March 15 of the spring semester and October 15 of the fall semester.
• The application and portfolio will be reviewed.
• The student will be notified in writing of the decision.
• If accepted, a placement form will be completed and forwarded to the appropriate school.

Benchmark 3: Completion of Student Teaching:
To complete student teaching, a student must:

• During student teaching, strictly adhere to all policies and procedures outlined in the Student Teaching Handbook.
• One week prior to the end of student teaching, submit to the Director of Teacher Education a portfolio, containing:
  1. A videotape of a selected teaching presentation and a copy of the lesson plan that incorporates professional development and content TExES competencies.
  2. Documentation of community involvement.
  3. Copies of college/field supervisor/principal evaluations (mid-semester and final).

The portfolio will be reviewed before a final grade is issued for the student teaching experience.

Administrative Policies and Procedures for Admission and Retention

• Students interested in declaring education as their major are to contact staff in the Office of the Division of Education or their advisors any time during a semester.
• The appropriate teacher education admission committees/councils will act on all applicants for admission to the Teacher Education Program once each semester.
• Retention status will be reviewed and acted on at the end of each grading period.
• Failure to meet the criteria for retention in the Teacher Education Program will result in suspension from the program. Such students may request reconsideration at the end of the following semester.

Failure to meet any one of the criteria for completion of student teaching will result in suspension from the Teacher Education Program. Students may request reconsideration at the end of the following semester.