Bachelor of Science

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

Overview of the Elementary Education (K-6) Program

The South College Elementary Education (K-6) program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree and an initial Tennessee teaching license in elementary education for grades K-6. A comprehensive program of study integrates a general education core, a professional education core, and an academic major that prepares candidates to meet the academic and developmental needs of all K-6 students. The Elementary Education K-6 licensure program provides candidates sufficient opportunities to develop as prospective elementary school teachers who possess the necessary content and pedagogical knowledge and personal dispositions to be successful beginning teachers. In addition to college work experiences, the Elementary Education K-6 program of study provides a focused study in the teaching of reading and immerses candidates in early sequential field experiences, relevant professional development workshops, and a clinical practice in enhanced student teaching. Candidates are exposed to K-6 classrooms and apply their knowledge, skills, and dispositions in a variety teaching and learning environments. Candidates are expected to complete field and clinical observations and provide assistance to teachers, participate in student tutoring, provide classroom instruction and assessment, and conduct action research. During clinical practice, candidates experience an in-depth exposure to the school-based community and must demonstrate competence in K-3 and 4-6 grade levels as well as in the professional role for which they have been prepared.

Elementary Education Program Goals

Program goals and candidate learning outcomes are designed to accomplish the mission of the elementary education program and are guided by institutional goals, research, Tennessee Teacher Licensure Standards, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) Standards, Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) Standards, Tennessee Curriculum Standards, and Professional Organization Standards. The following program goals are designed to ensure that candidates are highly qualified prospective teachers with knowledge, skills, proficiencies, and dispositions essential for motivating and leading K-6 students to high levels of achievement.

Upon completion of the elementary education program, a candidate will:

• demonstrate a deep understanding of content and pedagogical knowledge and demonstrate proficiency in applying appropriate knowledge to maximize the learning environment for all students.
• demonstrate essential knowledge, skills, and proficiency in responding to individual learning needs by accommodating diverse relationship modes and learning styles of all students.
• model constructivist teaching and learning through varied instructional strategies and use multiple assessment tools to diagnose and respond to students’ individual learning needs.
• understand principles of human development and behavior and can design and manage learning environments that promote students’ independence as learners.
• demonstrate essential knowledge, skills, and proficiencies necessary to select and use modern technologies as an instructional and assessment tool that supports student learning and their own professional growth.
• collaborate with appropriate stakeholders and support personnel in the educational process.
• reflect on their teaching effectiveness in relation to student achievement and to professional interactions and will select opportunities for professional growth.
• display dispositions characteristic of educators who are informed decision makers that create effective learning opportunities for all students.

Elementary Education Licensure

South College is approved by the Tennessee State Board of Education to offer an elementary education program that leads to an initial Tennessee Elementary Education teaching license for grades K-6. New students accepted to South College declare Interdisciplinary Studies in Development and Learning of the Child and Young Adolescent as their major and are assigned an education faculty advisor. The faculty advisor and student collaborate and develop an academic plan that allows the student to progress through four program levels while simultaneously completing course work in general education, the elementary education major, and the professional education core. Candidates are provided a Teacher Education Handbook that specifically outlines and describes all program requirements in Levels I-IV. As noted in Level descriptions below, candidates must make application for formal admission to the Teacher Education Program when Level I requirements are satisfied. Formal admission to the Teacher Education Program and satisfaction of specified program requirements allows candidates to advance to Levels II and III. Completion of Level III is required to advance to Level IV, or Enhanced Student Teaching. Upon successful completion of Level IV requirements and all program and graduation requirements, students are eligible to make application for the initial Tennessee teaching license. South College reserves the right to make immediate changes to the elementary education program as mandated by the Tennessee Department of Education. Candidates seeking out-of-state licensure should contact the respective State Department of Education for information.

Application, Admission, and Program Completion Requirements for Elementary Education

According to state and national standards for teacher preparation programs, different levels of assessment must occur throughout the program and reflect appropriate candidate progress and success. The elementary education K-6 program has multiple assessment measures that occur at program pre-entry, entry, mid-point, and program exit. A candidate is always aware of his/her progress and success or the need for an academic intervention program. The candidate must first meet the requirements for general admission to the college found on pages 12-17 of the catalog.

The levels of assessment are outlined in Levels I-IV and occur during the freshman and sophomore years simultaneously with course work from general education and the K-6 major. When Level I (Pre-entry Assessment) and Level II (Formal Entry Assessment) requirements are satisfied, the candidate is eligible to make application for formal admission to the Teacher Education Program. After formal admission is granted, the graduate must maintain appropriate requirements (i.e., GPA – 2.75) and complete multiple assessments for Level III (Midpoint Assessment) and Level IV (Exit Program Assessment)When requirements for Levels I-IV are met and graduation requirements are satisfied, a candidate is eligible to make application for the initial Tennessee teaching license.

Elementary Education Interdisciplinary Students in Development and Learning fo the Child and Young Adolescent Program Assessments:

Level I – Pre-entry Assessment:

• During the freshman year, a candidate begins the journey in Level I toward formal admission to the Teacher Education Program by enrolling in general education courses and must:

  • Complete English Composition I and II, Mathematics I and II, and Communications (Speech) with a grade of C, or better;
  • Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.75;
  • Schedule a conference with the education advisor and establish a program of study academic plan;
  • Present to the education advisor documentation of acceptable scores for one of the following tests: Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills (PPST) Tests for Reading, Writing, and Math; or an ACT Composite score of at least 22; or an SAT score of 1020;
  • Submit an approved writing sample to the education advisor;
  • Submit an application to the Teacher Education Program; and
  • Present three letters of recommendation from general education faculty to the education advisor (form available in School of Education office).

The candidate is responsible for documenting Level I requirements with the education advisor. The education advisor approves advancement to Level II via an academic plan and course schedule. Level I requirements must be satisfied to advance to Level II.

Level II – Entry Assessment:

During Level II, a candidate continues enrollment in remaining general education and K-6 major courses. If Level I requirements are satisfied, a candidate may be approved by the education advisor to enroll in the entry-level professional education course and begin to experience pedagogical knowledge appropriately sequenced in course content and coordinated with K-6 field experiences that provides exposure to classroom teachers and students. During Level II, a student is expected to:

o Earn a grade of B, or better, in any professional education course;

o Earn a grade of C, or better, in any academic major course;

o Attain satisfactory progress in all field experiences; and

o Maintain an overall GPA of 2.75.

By the end of the sophomore year, a candidate has typically completed Level II. With Level II completed, a student is eligible to make application for formal admission to the Teacher Education Program. To be formally admitted to the Teacher Education Program, a candidate must successfully complete a formal interview with the Professional Education Committee (PEC) and present his/her Portfolio that documents examples of multiple assessments from selected general education courses, K-6 major courses, professional education courses, and K-6 field experiences. The education advisor mentors students in the Portfolio development process. Level II must be completed to advance to Level III.

Level III – Midpoint Assessment:

During Level III, a candidate must:

• Complete all remaining upper division professional education course work in the elementary education major with no grade less than a C;
• Complete all remaining professional education course work with no grade less than a B;
• Attain mastery level for all field experiences;
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75; and by the end of Level III or prior to enrolling in Level IV;
• Pass Praxis II: Principles of Learning and Teaching test and pass all elementary education K-6 Specialty tests.

Each candidate continues to build evidence in their Portfolio that demonstrates competency in knowledge, skills, proficiency, and dispositions as indicators for success for Level IV. Level III must be completed to advance to Level IV.

Level IV – Exit Assessment:

During Level IV, the candidate must enroll in the capstone courses of clinical practice, Enhanced Student Teaching. The candidate must:

• Successfully complete two placements of full-day student teaching with an approved mentoring teacher in grades K-3 and 4-6;
• Satisfy all student teaching requirements as specified on rubrics modified from the Tennessee Evaluation and Professional Growth Model;
• Demonstrate competency in knowledge, skills, proficiency, and dispositions through Portfolio documentation presented to the Professional Education Committee (PEC) as part of the program exit conference;
• Satisfy all institutional requirements for graduation;
• Complete all appropriate documentation for application for Tennessee licensure; and
• Complete all institutional and program assessment surveys.

Candidates are assigned a faculty advisor who assists them in planning their academic program, course schedules, academic services and interventions, and career choices. Candidates are encouraged to confer with their faculty advisor as needed and are required to meet with the faculty advisor each quarter for appropriate course scheduling and registration approval. If a candidate voluntarily withdraws from the program, formal application for re-entry is required. The college reserves the right to make program changes at any time according to any state mandate(s) that require immediate changes.