Education

Department Chair-Wightman
Director of Field Services- Bluth
Professors-Hodge, Michael, Sayers
Associate Professors-DoBroka, Shalter-Bruening, Shonia, Wightman
Assistant Professors-Cho, Conrad, Smith
Lecturer-Bluth
Licensure Officer-Wightman
Administrative Staff-Porter

The Teacher Education Program

The mission of the teacher education program at Capital University is to prepare competent, caring and committed professionals 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 four-year educational 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 Life Science and Chemistry
Integrated Mathematics Life Science
Integrated Social Studies Chemistry

Multi-Aged Education (Grades K-12) (with completion of a designated university major)

Music Education
Visual Arts Education

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

In addition, 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 any combination of languages (i.e. two of the same languages, two different languages, a TESOL course (EDUC 570) and a language course) 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. American Sign Language is accepted as part of this requirement. Only one TESOL course (EDUC 570) may be used as part of this requirement.

The above programs, approved by the Ohio Department of Education and accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), 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, as well as an intercultural student teaching experience abroad.

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:

Goal #1	Exhibit Thorough Content Knowledge and Pedagogical Content Knowledge
Goal #2	Demonstrate and Apply Knowledge of Diversity in Learners, Learning and Assessment
Goal #3	Demonstrate and Implement Knowledge of Curriculum and General Pedagogy to Impact Student Learning
Goal #4	Participate in Collaboration, Employ Effective Communication, and Create an Engaging Educational Environment
Goal #5	Evidence the Professional Dispositions, Ethics, and Responsibilities of a Teacher

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 complete an application for the Teacher Licensure Program and meet all of the following requirements prior to acceptance:

Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher;
A grade of at least C in Reading & Writing, Oral Communication and Quantitative Reasoning General Education Goals;
Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Reading 156 or ACT Reading 27 or SAT Reading 610 or GRE Reading 400/146;
Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Writing 162 or ACT English 27 or GRE Writing 4.0 or SAT combined 610;
Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Math 150 or ACT Math 27 or SAT Math 610 or GRE Math 400/140;
A grade of at least C in the first field experience course required for the licensure area (EDUC 211 , EDUC 201 , MUSIC 242 );
A grade of at least C in the Foundations of Education course (EDUC 151);
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 315 , EDUC 316 , EDUC 317 , EDUC 318 , EDUC 352 , EDUC 353 , EDUC 354 , EDUC 355 , EDUC 356 , EDUC 357 , EDUC 358 , EDUC 359 , EDUC 363 , EDUC 365 , EDUC 367 , EDUC 369 ,

MUSIC 340

courses.

NOTE: Requirements subject to change based on rulings handed down by the State of Ohio.

Retention in the Teacher Education Program

Satisfactory progress towards completion of licensure is demonstrated by a minimum grade point average of 2.75 overall and in content and education courses. Satisfactory evaluations in field-based experiences and professional dispositions 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 order to student teach, a student must have met the requirements for acceptance and retention in the Teacher Education Program. In addition, candidates must achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.75 overall and in their content and education courses.

A grade of C or better is required in the following courses:

EDUC 231 ,

EDUC 301

, 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 365, EDUC 369,

courses.

Students are required to pass all exams required by the State of Ohio for licensure (OAE/Pearson) prior to student teaching. If a student is unable to pass the required exams, he/she will not be eligible to student teach and therefore, not eligible for licensure. Costs for the exams are the responsibility of the student.

Students must verify they are of good moral character through BCI and FBI background checks as required by Ohio Revised Code. A student who is on disciplinary probation may not student teach.

Education Fees

Students are required to purchase a subscription to Task Stream prior to taking courses with a field component.
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 are required to be less than one year old and on file in the Education Department Office and local school districts prior to all field experiences. Some districts also require TB tests. The costs for obtaining the background check and TB tests are the responsibility of the student.

Due Process

A student is notified, in writing, by the chair of the Student Assessment and Monitoring Committee of admission or denial into the 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 Dean.

Education students are expected to adhere to certain dispositions defined by the Capital University Education department, as well as professional conduct outlined by the Ohio Department of Education. Failure to comply could result in the student’s inability to progress in the education program at Capital University.

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 licensure exams required by the State of Ohio,
verify they are of good moral character through BCI and FBI background checks as required by Ohio Revised Code