Education

Department Chair—DeLucia
Director of Field Services— Bluth
Professors—Blough, De Lucia, Sanders, Swearingen
Associate Professors—Brownstein, Creasap, DoBroka, Hodge, Michael
Assistant Professors—Sayers, Scheurer, Shalter-Bruening, Wightman
Lecturer—Bluth
Licensure Officer—Devor
Administrative Staff—Butler, Morrisey

The Teacher Education Program

The mission of the teacher education program at Capital University is to prepare competent, caring and committed professional educators who use theory, research and reflection to teach, lead and serve diverse communities of learners.

Capital University is authorized by the Ohio State Department of Education to recommend students completing a prescribed program(s) for a two-year provisional teaching license in the following areas:

Early Childhood Education (PreK-3)
Middle Childhood Education (Grades 4-9) (with concentration in two of the following areas)
	Reading and Language Arts Mathematics Social Studies Science

Adolescent to Young Adult Education (Grades 7-12)
	Integrated Language Arts Integrated Mathematics Integrated Social Studies Integrated Science Life Science	Chemistry Life/Earth Science Life/Chemistry Earth Science/Physics	Earth Science/Chemistry Chemistry/Physics

Multi-Aged Education (Grades K-12) (with completion of a designated university major)
	Health Education Music Education Physical Education Visual Arts Education

Intervention Specialist (Grades K-12) (mild/moderate needs)

In addition, Reading, Early Childhood Generalist (4-5), Middle Childhood Generalist, and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) endorsements are available.

Each candidate for licensure is obligated to plan, with an adviser, a program of studies to fulfill university and departmental major and licensure requirements.

The World Languages and Cultures requirement for the Education Department consists of two semesters of a single language (American Sign Language is accepted) or to demonstrate proficiency through taking the test to: (1) test out of the language requirement or (2) be placed in the appropriate level of a foreign language class.

The above programs, accredited by the Ohio Department of Education and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, are based on integration of theory, practice and reflection. Through the study of theory, the teacher education candidate gains a liberal arts education, content knowledge to be taught, and professional knowledge needed to make decisions regarding student learning.

Field-based and clinical experiences are completed in a variety of culturally diverse settings and at different developmental levels. The University’s convenient Central Ohio location provides a number of urban, suburban and rural school districts and state and national agencies within a short distance of campus. Experiences are well planned and orchestrated, providing the teacher education student with opportunities to put into practice theoretical knowledge acquired; study under a variety of highly qualified teachers; apply multiple strategies for facilitating learning of all students; and collaborate with teachers, parents, staff, and community in providing meaningful learning experiences for all students. A yearlong internship program is available as an alternative student teaching experience.

Reflection allows candidates to consider their abilities to organize content knowledge, use professional knowledge in practice, explain instructional choices based on research and best practice, assess strengths and weaknesses of learning experiences, and evaluate their readiness to fulfill the role of professional educator.

Through the teacher education program at Capital University, teacher education candidates will:

demonstrate through knowledge and understanding of the content to be taught,
engage in critical inquiry to impact their professional practice,
demonstrate understanding of the teaching/learning relationship,
demonstrate effective and culturally responsive practices to support the achievement of all students,
utilize a variety of tools to clearly and effectively communicate,
demonstrate effective use of technology in their professional practice,
demonstrate professional involvement,
apply ethics and values in professional decision-making.

In addition, special attention is given to ongoing awareness, exploration, commitment, development, and refinement of knowledge, dispositions, and skills which entry year teachers are expected to successfully demonstrate as classroom teachers in meeting Ohio Standards for the Teaching Profession. Those standards give attention to the following seven areas:

Teachers understand student learning and development and respect the diversity of the students they teach;
Teachers know and understand the content area for which they have instructional responsibility;
Teachers understand and use varied assessments to inform instruction, evaluate and ensure student learning;
Teachers plan and deliver effective instruction that advances the learning of each individual student;
Teachers create learning environments that promote high levels of learning and achievement for all students;
Teachers collaborate and communicate with students, parents, other educators, administrators and the community to support student learning;
Teachers assume responsibility for professional growth, performance and involvement as an individual and as a member of a learning community.

Admission to Teacher Education

A student seeking admission to the Teacher Education Program at Capital University is required to present a progress portfolio and complete an application for the Teacher Licensure Program and meet all of the following requirements prior to acceptance:

Cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher;
A grade of at least C in each of the courses required to complete General Education Goals 1, 2 and 3;
Praxis I Reading 173 or ACT Reading 27 or SAT Reading 610 or GRE Reading 400;
Praxis I Writing 172 or ACT English 27 or GRE Writing 4.0 or SAT combined 610;
Praxis I Math 172 or ACT Math 27 or SAT Math 610 or GRE Math 400;
A grade of at least C in the first field experience course required for the licensure area (EDUC 211 , EDUC 221 , MUSIC 242 );
Professional dispositions, interpersonal skills, and motivation as evidenced through class work, clinical and field-based experiences; and
Good moral character as verified by the student that he/she has never been convicted or pled guilty to an offense set forth for teacher applicants in the Ohio Revised Code.

Applications must be submitted to the Student Assessment and Monitoring Committee for consideration during the corresponding semester. Students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin or gender identity may be accepted into the Teacher Education Program at Capital University upon meeting the above standards. Upon acceptance a student is considered a teacher education candidate.

Students must meet all criteria for admission to the Teacher Education Program prior to enrolling in second field experience (pedagogy) (EDUC 314 , EDUC 315 , EDUC 316 , EDUC 317 , EDUC 318 , EDUC 352 , EDUC 353 , EDUC 354 , EDUC 355 , EDUC 356 , EDUC 357 , EDUC 358 , EDUC 359 , EDUC 361 , EDUC 363 , EDUC 364 , EDUC 365 , EDUC 367 , EDUC 368 , EDUC 369 ) courses.

Applications for admittance to the Teacher Education Program are due March 1 (for fall semester) and October 1 (for spring semester).

Retention in the Teacher Education Program

Satisfactory progress towards completion of licensure is demonstrated by a minimum grade point average of 2.500 overall and in content and education courses. Satisfactory evaluations in field-based experiences and professional attribute assessments are also necessary indicators of progress.

If a student is not making satisfactory progress as described above, the student will be notified of his or her removal from the Teacher Education Program by the Chair of the Student Assessment and Monitoring Committee. The student may apply for readmission upon meeting the requirements for Admission to the Teacher Education Program.

Admission to Student Teaching

A formal application is required to student teach. Students wishing to student teach Fall Semester must apply no later than March 1. Students wishing to student teach Spring Semester must apply no later than October 1. In addition to the application, students must submit a progress portfolio.

In order to student teach, a student must have met the requirements for acceptance and retention in the Teacher Education Program. In addition, candidates must have achieved a minimum of 2.500 content courses in their major.

Students must verify they are of good moral character through fingerprinting and BCI and FBI background checks as required by Ohio Revised Code.

As a requirement of EDUC 402 , students must take the Praxis II content test(s) required to receive a license for which they will qualify. If a student is taking EDUC 402 during fall semester, the student must take Praxis II content no later than the November administration. If a student is taking EDUC 402 during spring semester, the student must take Praxis II content no later than the March administration.

A student who is on disciplinary probation may not student teach.

Education Fees

A fee, paid to the university, is charged for the student teaching experience. This fee is used to provide services to school districts in exchange for services of cooperating teachers

Background Checks

BCI checks (and FBI checks when indicated) are required to be less than one year old and on file in the Education Department Office prior to all field experiences. Some districts also require TB tests.

Due Process

A student is notified, in writing, by the chair of the Student Assessment and Monitoring Committee of admission or denial into Teacher Education Program and Student Teaching. If a student is not accepted, an individual conference will be scheduled with the student, if requested. At the conference, the student will be advised as to the basis for not being accepted. If the student wishes to submit new or additional information that had not been considered when her/his application was reviewed, he/she may submit an appeal, in writing, to the Student Assessment and Monitoring Committee. If the student is still not accepted, he/she may submit an appeal, in writing, to the Assistant Dean.

Recommendations for Teacher Education Licensure

In order to complete the Capital University Teacher Education Program and be eligible to apply for a teaching license, candidates must successfully:

complete all of the requirements for the bachelor degree and licensure program,
complete student teaching with a grade of C or higher,
pass Praxis II Examinations required by the State of Ohio,
verify they are of good moral character through fingerprinting and BCI and FBI background checks as required by Ohio Revised Code.