Elementary Education (K-6)

COLLEGE: Education & Human Sciences

DEPARTMENT: Teaching, Learning & Teacher Education

PROGRAM: Elementary Education K-6

DEGREE: Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences

HOURS REQUIRED: 125

MINIMUM CUMULATIVE GPA: 2.5 for graduation

MINOR AVAILABLE: No

CHIEF ADVISERS: Susan Goodrich, Amber Kargol

DESCRIPTION

Students who complete this endorsement are endorsed to teach elementary education in grades K-6.

General Information

The College offers undergraduate programs leading to a bachelor of science in education and human sciences degree in more than 40 different teaching endorsements.

Some students in other UNL colleges choose to seek certification, completing a degree in their home college while meeting all requirements for teacher certification in the College of Education and Human Sciences.

Early field placement in public and private schools is a nationally recognized hallmark of the teacher education program in the College of Education and Human Sciences.

While internships are a valuable enhancement to many students’ education, in the College of Education and Human Sciences, practicum experiences and student teaching are a critical and essential part of the curriculum, which must be successfully completed in order to be certified in the teaching profession. A student’s inability to complete these field experiences, for any reason, may adversely impact the student’s ability to gain admission into the College or maintain enrollment in a teacher preparation program. Students unlikely or unable to complete the field experience may be counseled to seek other opportunities where success is more attainable. (See “Felony and Misdemeanor Conviction” and “Professional and Ethical Behavior” for additional information with respect to behaviors impacting field experience participation.)

Degree at a Glance

Hours

ACE9-30

ELED Program Requirement24-25

Enhancements10-15

Pre-Pofessional Education Courses21

Professional Education Courses56

ELECTIVES0-5

TOTAL 120-147

ADMISSION

All education programs have a competitive admission process. At some point-in-time, after meeting specific education requirements, all students must formally apply to their particular education program.

Admission to a Teacher Education Program (TEP)

Admission to the College of Education and Human Sciences does not guarantee admission to a teacher education program. Admission to the advanced phases of teacher education is selective and, in some endorsements, highly competitive. Students must satisfy the following requirements in order to be eligible to apply to the Teacher Education Program:

1. A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.

2. Must have earned a minimum of 42 credit hours of college credit.

3. Completion and submission of the Teacher Education Program Approval Form.

4. Completion of TEAC 331 (may be taken prior to or during the TEP application process) or approved transfer course, and EDPS 250 with a 2.5 cumulative average in the two classes, and no grade lower than C; TEAC 259 (may be taken prior to or during the TEP application process).

5. Documentation of proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics (PPST) through successful completion of a basic skills examination that meets the Nebraska Department of Education competency requirement.

6. Successful completion of TEAC 297A practicum.

7. Completion of a personal and professional fitness self-disclosure form as well as the completion of a formal criminal history review.

8. Specific programs may have particular learning outcomes that students must address as part of the application process.

Other Admission Requirements

Admission to Student Teaching

All students who are candidates for an appropriately endorsed Nebraska Teacher’s Certificate are required to student teach. Students who plan to student teach in the fall semester must complete the student teaching application form and submit it by the preceding March 1 to the Director of Field Experiences in 116 Henzlik Hall; students planning to student teach in the spring semester must apply by the preceding October 1. The basic program for student teaching provides for a full-day experience on a semester basis. Students enrolled in an elementary education dual major will complete requirements for student teaching in both majors. Admission to student teaching requires the following:

1. Matriculation in a teacher education program in the College of Education and Human Sciences, the Graduate College, or dual matriculation in the College of Education and Human Sciences and another college.

2. Admission to a teacher education program.

3. Senior standing (89 hours or more) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

4. Minimum grade point average of 2.5 in each endorsement area with no grade below C.

5. No more than 6 hours of general education or elective classes remain to be completed after the student teaching experience.

6. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 in pre-professional and professional education courses and no grade below C in pre-professional education courses and no grade below a C+ in professional education courses.

7. Completion of a criminal history check that will be conducted by an independent party (fee required).

Student Teaching Registration Requirements

Undergraduate students are required to take 12 credit hours of student teaching or student teaching related course work during a semester-long student teaching experience. Those individuals who are completing two field endorsements will student teach for 20 weeks and will register for a total of 14 credit hours. Graduate students completing a semester-long student teaching experience will register for 6 graduate hours for either a 16 or 20 week experience.

All pre-professional education, professional education, and subject area endorsement course work must be completed prior to student teaching. Students will not be allowed to student teach with anything more than 6 credit hours of general education requirements remaining for their degree or in their program. No additional course work can be taken during the student teaching semester.

MAJOR/ENDORSEMENT REQUIREMENTS

Elementary Education Program Requirements

The following course requirements will either be included or taken in addition to the 10 Achievement-Centered Education (ACE) requirements:

ACE 1 (3 hrs):

Written Texts Incorporating Research and Knowledge Skills

In addition to ACE 1 (3 hrs) (select one of the following):

ENGL 101, ENGL 150, ENGL 151, ENGL 254 or CEHS 200

Communication Studies (3 hrs) (select one of the following):

COMM 109, COMM 209, COMM 210, or ALEC 102

Mathematics & Statistics (3-5 hrs) (select one of the following):

MATH 104, MATH 106, MATH 107, MATH 203, or MATH 208

ACE 4 (3 hrs):

Study of Scientific Methods and Knowledge of the Natural and Physical World

In addition to ACE 4, select any biology course w/lab or physical science course with lab (4 hrs)

ACE 5 (3 hrs):

English Literature Course

History (3 hrs) (select one of the following):

HIST 100, HIST 101, HIST 171, HIST 201, or HIST 202

Geography/Political Science (3 hrs) (select one of the following):

GEOG 140, GEOG 271, GEOG 272, or POLS 100

ACE 7 (3 hrs):

Study of the Arts to Understand Their Context and Significance

Elective (3 hrs) (select one of the following):

EDPS 251, TEAC 213, TEAC 413A, TEAC 436, TEAC 438, TEAC 441, TEAC 446

Elementary Education Enhancement Course Requirements

Select one course from each approved list. Classes are in addition to the ACE requirements.

Social Science Courses (3 hrs)

HIST 201, HIST 202, HIST 241, HIST 309, HIST 351, HIST 361; GEOG 140, GEOG 271, GEOG 272; POLS 100, POLS 221; ECON 211, ECON 450, ECON 451

Mathematics Courses (3-5 hrs)

MATH 106, MATH 107 (not 104), MATH 302, MATH 304; STAT 218

Science Courses (1-4 hrs)

PHYS 262 (1 hr) Pre- or Corequisite, PHYS 260 or PHYS 261, NRES 108; BIOS 295; ENTO 115 and ENTO 116

Literacy Courses (3 hrs)

ENGL 220, ENGL 254, ENGL 275, ENGL 322A, ENGL 322B, ENGL 354, ENGL 377; TEAC 413A, TEAC 438, TEAC 441

Pre-Education Status

All newly admitted students who are pursuing a teacher preparation program, except those in non-teaching majors, are classified as pre-education until admitted to a Teacher Education Program.

Pre-Professional Education Requirements (21 hrs)

Students must complete the following courses before applying to the Elementary Teacher Education Program:

TEAC 331 (ACE 8) (3 hrs) (may be taken prior to, or during the TEP application process)

EDPS 250 (ACE 6) (3 hrs)

TEAC 297A (1 hr)

TEAC 259 (3 hrs) (may be taken prior to, or during the TEP application process)

Students may complete the following courses prior to acceptance into the Elementary Teacher Education Program:

EDPS 362 (ACE 6) (3 hrs)

TEAC 330 (ACE 9) (3 hrs)

TEAC 380 (2 hrs)

CYAF 380 (ACE 6) (3 hrs)

Professional Education Requirements

Students must be accepted into the Teacher Education Program (TEP) before enrolling in the Professional Education courses. Upon acceptance, course numbers and call numbers can be obtained from the appropriate subject matter adviser in the College Student Services Center.

Students admitted to the University with three or more high school deficiencies, or two deficiencies in a single category other than foreign language, will not be admitted to a teacher education program until such deficiencies are removed.

Professional Education Requirements (56 hrs)

Students must be accepted into the Elementary Teacher Education Program before enrolling in the following Professional Education classes.

The following courses are taken as a block with a practicum experience:

TEAC 351, TEAC 297B (2 hrs each); TEAC 308, MATH 300 (3 hrs each); TEAC 317 (2 hrs)

The following courses are taken as a block with a practicum experience:

TEAC 311, TEAC 313, TEAC 397A (3 hrs each)

The following courses may be taken any time in the program after admission to ETEP and before student teaching:

TEAC 302, TEAC 307, TEAC 315, SPED 401A, MATH 301 (3 hrs each); TEAC 305 (4 hrs)

The following courses are taken only after the Literacy Block:

SPED 415/SPED 415A (4 hrs)

Student Teaching:

Currently under revision. Please see adviser.

ADDITIONAL MAJOR/ENDORSEMENT REQUIREMENTS

Grade Rules

Grade Requirements in Education Programs

Requirements for completion of an undergraduate degree in a teacher preparation program include a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5. Students seeking certification must also have a 2.5 GPA in their education courses with no grade lower than a C in their pre-professional courses and no grade lower than a C+ in their professional education courses. Students are also required to have a 2.5 GPA in their subject endorsement area(s) or in field endorsement with no grade lower than C.

NOTE: English education and Language Arts education students are required to have a 3.0 GPA in their subject area.

Transfer Grades

Up to 9 hours of transfer credit with grades below C may be applied to the General Education requirements and elective classes in programs leading to the undergraduate degree in teacher preparation. Transfer grades of C- and D may not be used in the major/endorsement area courses or in the professional courses in teacher preparation programs.

Pass/No Pass Grade Option–Education

A student enrolled at the University may, in certain instances, take a grading option of Pass/No Pass (P/N) for a specific course. A grade of pass represents satisfactory completion of a course with a grade of C or better. Credits earned under the pass grade option count toward graduation, but no grade points are tabulated in the cumulative grade point average. Likewise, a grade of no pass is not tabulated in the grade point average. The following rules apply to students who are enrolled in teacher preparation programs who choose the Pass/No Pass option:

1. Only one course in each subject endorsement; two courses in a field endorsement.

2. For students in certification programs, pre-professional and professional education classes may not be taken Pass/No Pass unless a class already has a Pass/No Pass designation

3. Any course in the general education requirements unless otherwise stipulated by the department of the course.

4. Total P/N credits may not exceed 12 credit hours. This limit does not include courses offered on a Pass/No Pass only basis.

Students who are admitted through the Admission by Review process with core course deficiencies will have certain conditions attached to their enrollment at UNL.

Beyond Classroom Grades

In all fields of study, students are expected to attain certain grades and other academic accomplishments in the classroom. In addition to this, students preparing themselves to be teachers, counselors and for other careers in education, are also reviewed to evaluate their ability to successfully and safely interact with children, parents, potential educational employers, and the community-at-large, whose interest in the education of its children often exceeds its concern for other community and governmental services.

OTHER

Student Teaching Placement

The Office of Field Experiences is responsible for the placement of student teachers. Several factors are considered in determining the district and school to which an individual is assigned. The availability of a cooperating teacher and supervisor who meet the requirements established by the Nebraska Department of Education and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln are among those factors. Opportunities to student teach out-of-state are limited and those placements are becoming increasingly difficult. All requests to student teach outside of the immediate Lincoln area must be individually reviewed and approved by the Director of Field Experiences.

Removal from Student Teaching

Students participating in practicum or student teaching assignments may be removed from their assigned schools if their conduct suggests a lack of professional commitment and presents a negative influence on the well-being or learning of the students in the schools. Specific guidelines that all student teachers are to follow can be found in The Student Teaching Experience: A Handbook for the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. If such a problem occurs, the student in question will be removed by the Director of Field Experiences at the request of the cooperating teacher, building principal, and the College supervisor.

In such cases, a written report stating the problem and efforts to correct the situation will be forwarded to the Director of Field Experiences in the College Student Services Center.

Any student removed from a practicum or student teaching assignment may appeal that decision by submitting a written request to the College Appeals Committee within 30 days of the removal. The Appeals Committee will schedule a meeting, request pertinent information from the Director of Field Experiences, and notify the student several days in advance of the scheduled appeal meeting. Students are advised of their right to seek legal advice and may personally attend the Appeals Committee meeting.

The Committee’s decision will be forwarded in writing to the student, to the Director of Field Experiences, and to the Dean of the College.

Praxis II

All students completing a program leading to a teaching certificate with an endorsement in elementary grades (Grades (K-6) will be required to take the EECIA-00011 version of Praxis II before graduation. Test completion will be documented through official test score results.

Application for a Nebraska Teaching Certificate

To actively engage in the teaching profession, a candidate must fulfill both the College degree requirements and the professional certification requirements of the State of Nebraska. Undergraduate students apply for the teaching certificate online at www.nde.state.ne.us/tcert and apply for the baccalaureate degree in 109 Canfield Administration Building. Post-baccalaureate students completing teacher certification also apply online.

To be eligible for a recommendation for certification, a candidate must meet the following requirements:

1. Earn one or more degrees from the College of Education and Human Sciences or another accredited institution approved by the College of Education and Human Sciences with a minimum 2.5 grade point average.

2. Complete the teacher education general education requirements listed for elementary, middle grades or secondary education.

3. Complete professional education requirements according to established standards.

4. Complete endorsement(s) according to established standards.

5. Successfully complete a required period of student teaching.

6. Complete application for the degree and certificate.

Graduation Without Certification

In rare cases, permission may be granted for a student to graduate without a recommendation for certification. This provision is for the student who does not qualify for or is removed from student teaching. However, there are times when because of illness or other extreme situations, a student will decide not to complete all professional requirements. In this situation, the student should contact his or her adviser, then complete a formal request to the College’s Certification Officer to be allowed to graduate without completing all certification requirements. If permission is granted, the student is expected to complete all professional requirements except student teaching. This includes a passing grade in all methods courses. If a student fails to complete at least one half of the student teaching assignment, the individual will be required to complete a culminating project not to exceed 6 credit hours.

Any student who graduates without a recommendation for certification will not be recommended for teacher certification in any state. In addition, the student will not be eligible for graduation with honors. If, at some future time, the student wishes to complete certification requirements, (s)he must first appeal for readmission to a teacher education program. At least one semester must pass after graduation before the appeal can be made. If the appeal is granted, the student will be treated as a readmitted student and will complete all requirements in effect at the time of reentry, including passing grades in all methods courses.

Education Employment Services

The Career Services Center, 230 Nebraska Union, offers a professional placement service to students and alumni who are seeking employment in education and related fields. In addition to providing on-campus interviews with select schools throughout the year, this office sponsors an annual Education Recruitment Day in the spring, which offers students an opportunity to interview with hiring officials from many schools.

Felony and Misdemeanor Convictions

Today’s reality demands that the College, along with the public and private schools that facilitate field experience, are all keenly attuned to the safety of the educational community, and particularly children in classroom, who interact with those placed as student teachers and in other practicum experiences.

The Nebraska Department of Education policy requires that a person with any felony conviction or a misdemeanor conviction involving abuse, neglect, or sexual misconduct shall not be allowed to participate in pre-student teaching laboratory and classroom experiences or student teach without approval of the State Board of Education. To comply with this policy, the College of Education and Human Sciences will require each student to affirm under oath that he/she does not have any convictions in the above-named areas prior to each field experience.

To ensure that each individual complies with this policy, all students who are pursuing a teaching certificate will be required to periodically complete a “Personal and Professional Fitness” form (PPF) as well as submit to two formal reviews of their criminal history, which is conducted by an independent third party. The first review will be completed during the first semester of the individual’s freshman year or upon the individual’s transfer into the College of Education and Human Sciences. At that time, each student will complete the PPF form and will also be expected to submit a request for the review of their criminal history. The PPF form will again be completed and submitted as a part of the application process for the Teacher Education Program. The final review, including the submission of the PPF form and the completion of a second criminal history check, will take place as part of the application process to student teach. Each student is responsible for the cost of the two criminal history reviews.

If a student does have any felony or any misdemeanor convictions, he/she is required to meet with the Certification Officer or with the Director of Field Experience as soon as possible, in order to receive counseling with respect to the impact of the conviction on the student’s future in the College, the State Board of Education approval and, more broadly, on the student’s ability to find success in the profession of education. The College of Education and Human Sciences aims to train and graduate teachers of the highest caliber possible, and therefore, the standards the College sets for its students may be more stringent than the rules the Department of Education sets for field experience. A student should not assume that merely because the State Board of Education would approve placement in the field, that the College is willing to make such a placement, or that a participating partner school is willing to accept the student’s placement into it midst.

The consequences of one conviction compared to another may vary significantly, depending upon the facts underlying the convictions, as those facts are determined by the College. In some instances, the behavior associated with the conviction may be so egregious as to render placement in a field experience virtually impossible. In such instances, termination or long-term suspension from a teaching program may be appropriate. In other instances, a responsible passage of time without further criminal incident may indicate that the student has matured and is ready to reconvene his or her education. Consequences will very likely be different from case to case, as each of these difficult matters is unique. The College reserves its prerogative to evaluate students’ fitness for the profession in its discretion, so that the safety of children in the classroom, the best interest of the student, and the reputation of the College, are all recognized and promoted. Failure to honestly disclose a conviction may be cause for disciplinary action separate from the conviction itself. Students willing to honestly address the challenges that arise from the past mistakes are more likely to reach a favorable outcome, than those who further jeopardize their integrity with a lie.

Professional and Ethical Behavior; Avoiding Risky Behaviors

In additional to criminal convictions, other non-criminal behavi1ors which: involve risks that are unacceptable for future teachers and the children charged to their care; demonstrate a lack of professionalism and good judgment; and evidence a disregard for one’s personal reputation, the integrity of the College and the teaching profession, may bring into question a student’s ability to be successful in an education career. Before engaging in such questionable behavior, students must consider how the College, the profession, educational employer, parents of school-aged children, and the community which is the State of Nebraska, would perceive or evaluate the impact of that behavior with respect to the students’ ability to serve children. To be allowed to teach is a great honor and a great responsibility. Teaching is a profession that requires its potential candidates to be individuals of the highest integrity. Prospective teachers must be able to demonstrate that they are individuals of strong moral character who can make mature decisions for themselves and for their students. They serve as important role models and mentors for children during very impressionable years. Teachers are responsible for the education, safety and well-being for anyone in their charge. Indeed, teachers hold the future of all in their care. Therefore, the College of Education and Human Sciences is most interested in training future teachers who show a high degree of moral character and the ability to act responsibly. These individuals must be able to serve as representatives of our College and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Should the College, through the reasonable exercise of the judgment of its Certification Officer or the Director of Field Experience, determine that a student’s individual behavior represents a lack of integrity, questionable moral/ethical character, or otherwise indicates a potential of risk to young persons and others in the educational community, the College of Education and Human Sciences reserves the right to deny entry to or dismiss such a student from any program which leads to certification. More specifically, these kinds of behavior shall be adequate foundation to deny any candidate or potential candidate from participation in any practicum, pre-practicum, student teaching or similar field experience, since the interests and safety of the children, and young people present in the classroom, schools and other venues where these practicum experiences take place are paramount.

Problematic behaviors, which the College of Education and Human Sciences reasonably determines renders the candidate a risk to the educational community or demonstrates a likelihood of illegal activity, may be established by any credible means, including the facts surrounding a record of arrests and/or convictions.

Similarly, behaviors which result in a finding by a court or other governmental body that the individual is:

• a mentally ill and dangerous person;
• mentally incompetent to stand trial;
• acquitted of criminal charges because of insanity;
• an incapacitated person;
• a person in need of a guardian or conservator, or;
• a person unable to manage his or her property due to mental illness, mental deficiency, or chronic use of drugs or chronic intoxication are the kind of behaviors which are likely to disqualify a candidate from participation in practicum experiences and other College of Education and Human Sciences programs.

Similar to the discussion concerning criminal convictions above, the consequences for unprofessional, unethical or risky behavior will very likely be different in each case, due to the unique circumstances involved in each matter. The College reserves its prerogative to evaluate students’ fitness for the profession in its discretion, so that safety in the classroom, the reputation of the College, and the best interest of the student, are all recognized and promoted.

Appeal to the Dean

Should a student object to the determination made by the Certification Officer or the Director of Field Experience with respect to a criminal behavior matter, the student may appeal to the Dean of the College, in writing within no greater than ten days of the determination, requesting the Dean of the College to investigate and review the determination. The student’s written appeal shall clearly explain to the Dean the basis for the student’s appeal. The Dean will review the student’s basis for appeal, and is authorized, but not required to look into related concerns, whether or not sure concerns are contained in the student’s written appeal. The Dean is authorized to collect such additional information as she or he deems necessary to review an investigation (including but not limited to the student’s educational records maintained by the College, other documentation, personal interviews and meetings with the student, College faculty, administration and staff, and others with relevant information). The Dean shall render a decision on the appeal as soon as reasonably possibly, but in no case longer than 20 days following the initiation of the appeal. Once the Dean has completed the review and investigation, he or she shall deliver to the student and the Certification Officer or the Director of Field Experience or both, a written decision, which decision shall be final and not subject to further appeal or review within the University of Nebraska.