• Teacher Education Teacher Education General Information 3. Professional Education courses help the prospective teacher learn about children, the nature of the learning process and how to provide desirable learning experiences. These courses are reserved largely for students of junior and senior standing. To meet certification requirements, secondary school candidates are required to complete a minimum of 39 quarter hours of professional course work; 52 quarter hours are required of the prospective elementary school teacher. PERFORMANCE-BASED TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM Weber State's Teacher Education core is organized into modules. A module is similar to a "minicourse" which has a narrow focus; these modules are grouped into courses for convenience. All core classes are graded on a credit/no- credit basis. The performance-based program requires students to demonstrate their knowledge and application of attitudes, skills, and instructional concepts in a variety of ways, and in settings which range from individual faculty/student interviews to school classrooms. A modified self-pacing sequence allows students to progress at different rates. Since students beginning the program are usually unfamiliar with the unique elements of the program's operation, it is essential that they attend orientations and contact the Director of Advisement or a faculty adviser before beginning their studies in teacher education. ADMISSION TO TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS Applicants for Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education programs will be admitted by satisfying Section I and Section II requirements: SECTION I: Option A: Option B: 1. Demonstrated high academic capabilities as evidenced by satisfying all requirements in one of the following options: Have earned a 3.25 cumulative GPA, which includes at least 45 quarter hours of General Education courses. Have earned a 2.75 cumulative GPA on total college coursework of at least 45 quarter hours; OR a 3.00 GPA on at least the last 30 quarter hours of coursework. Earn ACT (or equivalent) scores of at least: 21 in English; 19 in Mathematics; 17 in Social Science; 20 in Natural Sciences. SECTION II: A. B. D. E. Demonstrated personal qualities and technical skills appropriate to the teaching profession as evidenced by satisfying each of the following: Complete Education 195 and 300 with favorable evaluations from cooperating teachers and instructor. Complete English 111 and 112 (or equivalents) with grades of "C" or better. Satisfy the Weber State Math Competency requirement (see index). Pass the Writing Proficiency Exam (Exempt from testing if ACT English subscore is 24 or above; OR if "A-" minimum grades in English 111 and 112.) Pass the Education Spelling Exam (90% proficiency level). Complete Communications 102, 107 or 307 (or equivalent) with "B-" or better. NOTE: Students needing to take exams may do so in the Weber State Testing Center, telephone 626-6802. Times required for taking various exams are: Writing Proficiency, 90 minutes; Spelling, 40 minutes; Mathematics, 50 minutes; ACT, variable time depending upon number of subtests taken. A fee of $2.00 will be charged for each exam or subtest taken. Information on preparing to take ACT exams is available in the Testing Center. PROVISIONAL ADMISSION Provisional Admission status is a one-quarter grace period provided mainly for transfer students. It may be granted when a student has satisfied all Teacher Education Admission criteria, with minor exceptions that are currently in progress of being completed within the subsequent quarter. Students provisionally admitted will be allowed to register only for Education 301 and/or 303. Full admission status must be attained before other blocks (classes) in the Professional Education Core may be taken. Requests for provisional admission should be directed to the Teacher Education Admission Office. TIME LIMITS ON ADMISSION AND COURSEWORK Period of Admission: Admission to Teacher Education Programs is valid for a period of five years. If a student has not completed the program within the five-year period, s/he must seek readmission under current admission standards. Current Program Requirement: If a program is not completed within a three year period, a student must meet the course requirements of the current certification program. Changes in state certification requirements may necessitate more immediate program changes. Currency of Credits: Professional education credits older than eight years from the time of admission will not be counted. All education courses previously taken will be evaluated for currency standards and may need to be repeated. TEACHER EDUCATION RETENTION POLICY Students are expected to maintain all standards at or above levels required for admission to the Teacher Education Program, and demonstrate expected levels of competence in all course work leading to teacher certification. Additionally, students are expected to adhere to standards of personal integrity and citizenship commonly expected of professional educators. LIMITATION ON "T" GRADES The "T" grade will be given where all requirements in an education core block are not satisfied within the quarter of registration. Students who receive "T" grades will be required to re-register for the block and meet current minimum competency requirements to receive credit. Students who receive "T" grades in education core blocks will be notified in writing that they may re-register for the block one time only and must satisfactorily complete all requirements for the block during that quarter. If the student does not complete the block by the end of the second registration, the student's admission to Teacher Education will be suspended for one calendar year. REFERRALS Students may be referred to the Teacher Education Admission and Retention Committee by faculty or staff members when maintenance of standards is in question, or when concerns arise that seemingly would impair a student's potential to perform successfully as a classroom teacher. SUSPENSION When it becomes necessary to suspend a student's admission to the Teacher Education Program, the Retention Committee will notify the student in writing of the terms and period of suspension. When the terms and period of the suspension have been satisfied, a student desiring to resume teacher education studies may petition the Retention Committee in writing for readmission to the Teacher Education Program under current policies. POLICY FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS All transfer students must have their credits evaluated by the Director of Teacher Education Advisement and meet the following conditions: Student Services I. Recency Requirements: Professional education courses completed more than five (5) years prior to transfer to the Weber State Teacher Education interdisc. Program will be evaluated for currency standards; Pro9ranis such courses older than eight (8) years will not be counted. II. Teaching Practicum: Student teaching experience will be permitted only when the following conditions have been satisfied: A. The student has been admitted to the Weber State Teacher Education Program. B. The student has completed all professional coursework as required at Weber State (or approved equivalents). C. The student has fulfilled residency requirements as follows: 1. Elementary and Early Childhood Education and Special Education Endorsements: have completed a minimum of nine (9) quarter hours of professional education courses at Weber State. 2. Secondary Education: (a) have completed the Weber State secondary methods course; and (b) have demonstrated competency in the major and minor areas as approved and verified by the academic departments. Each department is encouraged to have transfer students meet the department requirements by demonstrating competency through criterion referenced tests or in successful completion of relevant course work. EXCEPTIONS AND APPEALS Students may request exceptions to established admission standards by submitting to the Chair of the Admission and Retention Committee a written request detailing reasons why special consideration should be given. Submit such requests to the Office of Teacher Education Admission. Appeals of decisions rendered by the Teacher Education Admission and Retention Committee should be submitted in writing to the Chair of the Department of Teacher Education, who will then review the decision(s). Applied Science & Technology Arts& Humanities Business & Economics Education Health Professions Science Social & Behavioral Sciences 166 167 Continuing Education