Teacher Education Standards

Admission of students to (and retention of students in) CSB/SJU Teacher Education Programs is based upon the following standards:

1. Demonstration of adequate knowledge and understanding of subject matter as evidenced by quality of class work and G.P.A.

• Students have an overall G.P.A. of 2.5 or above, as well as a G.P.A. of 2.5 or above among all Education courses as well as licensure content areas (specialty or teaching major).
   
• Students have earned a grade of "C" or above in all Education/Licensure/Specialty courses.  No course will be accepted toward licensure in which the grade earned is less than "C."  

   2.   Demonstration of adequate basic skills: quantitative, written and oral.

• Students have successfully completed the writing and discussion requirements by earning a grade comparable to "C" or above in CORE 100 (or its equivalent), and a grade comparable to "BC" or above in CORE 101 (or its equivalent).
   
• Students have demonstrated basic skill proficiency in reading, writing mechanics and grammar, mathematics, and essay writing. 
• Students may demonstrate proficiency in reading with either an ACT score of 24 or higher in Reading, OR a PPST equivalent score of 175 or higher in Reading.  
• Students may demonstrate proficiency in writing mechanics and grammar with either an ACT score of 24 or higher in English, OR a PPST equivalent score of 174 or above in Writing.
• Students may demonstrate proficiency in mathematics with either an ACT score of 24 or higher in Math, OR with a PPST equivalent score of 173 or higher in Math.
• Students demonstrate proficiency in essay composition  by achieving a score of level 7 or above on the Writing Assessment (Philosophy paper written in EDUC 111).
   

• Students must demonstrate speech proficiency in one of the following ways:
  1. A transcript documenting a grade of "B" or higher in a high school speech course taken in grade 10 or higher.
  2. Satisfactory completion of a college level public speaking course (COMM 111, 200, or equivalent) with a grade of "C" or higher.
  3. Satisfactory performance on a Speech Adequacy Test given by the Education Department once each semester.
• IMPORTANT NOTE: Students seeking licensure in Communication Arts and Literature 5-12 (English majors) must complete a formal college speech course.  Numbers 1 and 3 are not options for this licensure.

3. Demonstration of dispositional behaviors that support effective teaching.  Dispositional behaviors provide evidence of: 

• an intrinsic motivation and passion for learning
• healthy helping relationships with children and/or youth
• a commitment to social justice that is supported by the desire to understand and appreciate various dimensions of human diversity
• creativity and/or divergent thinking
• engagement in and promotion of positive social interaction
• effective communication
• a general sense of preparedness as illustrated by organization and planning, goal setting, follow-through, and regular as well as punctual attendance
• an altruistic desire to recognize, encourage, and/or facilitate positive growth in others
• a capacity and desire for reflection and self improvement
• a prevailing sense of honesty and integrity in dealing with others

Evidence supporting the presence of these dispositions should be found in:

1. Recommendations from three faculty members
2. Supervisor evaluations from field-experiences (EDUC 111, 212 or 213, Service Learning Experience and Teacher Shadow Experience)
3. A structured interview with the Education Department Chair or the appropriate Director of Student Teaching

Revised:  August, 2009