Education

Constable (Department Chair), Blosser Scheckelhoff, Cho, Deringer, Jung, Kilbane, Knoblauch, Levine, McDaniel, Reninger, Robinson, Ross, Ryan, Sherman Heckler, Weiss.

The Teacher Education Program has been accredited by NCATE (National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education) since 1967.

Mission and Programs

Mission Statement: “Creating Opportunities…Maximizing Potential.” The professional education unit of Otterbein University is committed to providing a coherent, developmentally-based teacher education program that prepares teachers to create and work within learning communities which maximize the potential of all learners. The program promotes collaborative learning and critical reflection as a way to develop a community of life-long learners who can respect diverse perspectives, make informed decisions, and be responsive to the changing needs of children in our society.

Guiding our programs are our shared beliefs in:

Power of Knowledge
Interdependency of Pedagogy and Content
Potential of All Children
Richness of Diversity
Possibilities of Technology
Necessity of Reflection
Merit of Experiential Learning
Importance of Accountability.

Performance Criteria for Teacher Education Candidates:
All Teacher Education candidates are evaluated throughout the program on 10 Standards adapted from INTASC and ODE, including:

Subject Matter
Student Learning
Diverse Learners
Planning Instruction
Instructional Strategies
Learning Environment
Communication
Assessment
Reflection and Professional Development
Collaboration, Ethics, and Relationships

Candidates are also evaluated on 10 Critical Dispositions essential to successful teaching, including:

Hard-working
Principled
Resourceful
Open-minded
Organized
Collegial
Inquisitive
Flexible
Positive
Social

Degrees Offered in Teacher Education

Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.E.) with majors in Early Childhood Education or Middle Childhood Education;

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT): Graduates holding a non-education baccalaureate degree from an accredited program and wishing to combine Middle Childhood Licensure (grades 4-9) with a masters program may contact the Education Advisor in the Center for Continuing Studies for information about our MAT program. In addition to graduate coursework, candidates must complete two teaching areas. Additional information is described in the Graduate Studies in Education Bulletin.

Master of Arts in Education (MAE): Licensed teachers wishing to pursue a graduate degree in Curriculum & Instruction or Reading may contact the Education Advisor in the Office of Graduate Programs. Elective strands in Middle Childhood Education, Technology, or individually designed Professional Development are available, as are endorsements in Reading or TESOL (Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages). Teachers may also pursue non-degree programs for recertification. Additional information is described in the Graduate Studies in Education Bulletin.

Licensure Programs

The Department of Education offers teacher licensure in the following areas through undergraduate degree programs or post-baccalaureate (licensure only) programs:

Early Childhood (Pre-K – 3) – Candidates select one concentration area

French or Spanish
Intervention Specialist (license, Pre-K- grade 3)
Language Arts
Language/Culture: Deaf Community
Mathematics
Reading (Endorsement Pre-K- grade12)
Science
Social Studies

Middle Childhood (Grades 4-9) – Candidates select two teaching areas

Reading/Language Arts
Social Studies
Mathematics
Science

Adolescence to Young Adult (AYA, grades 7-12)

Integrated Language Arts
Integrated Mathematics
Integrated Social Studies
Life Sciences
Physical Sciences

Multi-Age (Grades Pre-K – 12)

French Language (The Multiage French Licensure program will no longer be offered through Otterbein beginning Fall 2011. No new students will be admitted after this time.)
Spanish Language
Health Education
Physical Education
Music Education
Visual Arts

Optional endorsements/license that may be added to standard teaching licenses:

Middle Childhood Generalist Endorsement may be added to a Middle Childhood License to teach all four core subjects in grades 4-6.

Reading Endorsement for grades Pre-K-12 may be added to any standard license.

Early Childhood Generalist Endorsement for Grades 4 and 5 may be added to an Early Childhood License to teach all four core subjects in grades 4-5. This program is currently only offered at the graduate level but will be offered to Early Childhood licensure candidates at the undergraduate level beginning 2011-2012.

Early Childhood Intervention Specialist License may be added to an Early Childhood License and is valid for teaching learners with mild/moderate/intensive educational needs and for providing service coordination for ages three through eight and Pre-K through grade three.

Post-baccalaureate teaching licensure: Graduates holding a non-education baccalaureate degree from an accredited program and wishing to pursue teaching licensure may contact the Education Advisor in the Center for Continuing Studies for information about our post-baccalaureate licensure program. A limited number of applicants are admitted each year.

Alternative licensure: Individuals applying for Alternative licensure through the Ohio Department of Education must meet with the Department Chair for specific criteria and requirements needed to take Education courses at Otterbein.

Eligibility for Teacher Education

BCII and FBI background checks are required for all field experiences. On-campus services will be available each term, or students may contact any WebCheck location or police department.

Enrollment in EDUC 160 — Study of the School: The following are required for enrollment in EDUC 160:

2.5 overall GPA
ACT scores of 20 or above on both English and Math, OR
SAT scores of 500 or above on both Critical Reading and Math, OR
Praxis I scores of 172 or above on Writing and/or Math
Permission of the department

With the approval of the Education Department Chair, alternative tests may be considered for post-baccalaureate and alternative licensure candidates. See Department Chair for information.

Admission to the Teacher Education Program is required and separate from admission to the college; students generally apply during EDUC 200 or 220 their sophomore year and are considered by the Teacher Education Committee the following quarter. Criteria for admission to Teacher Education include:

A minimum of 44 quarter hours of college level work, including EDUC 160 and EDUC 200/220
Post-evaluation 2.5 overall GPA from all institutions
Post-evaluation 2.5 GPA in teaching area(s)
Positive recommendations from persons listed below, which will be used to assess interpersonal relations, motivation, and content knowledge:
- EDUC 160 instructor, supervisor, and cooperating teacher(s)
- EDUC 200/220 instructor, supervisor, and cooperating teacher(s)
- A member of the Otterbein faculty or staff who can assess the student’s critical dispositions; this is the student’s responsibility; forms are available in the Education Office.
- The Chairperson of the teaching area department (AYA and Multi-age candidates.)
Proficiency in oral and written communication as evidenced by a “C” or better in both COMM 100 – Fundamentals of Public Speaking – and a college level composition course;
Course grades and field ratings in EDUC 160 and EDUC 200/220;
The Teacher Education Committee may consider other data related to success in teaching at the option of the Committee. Additional information is available in the Teacher Education Program booklet, available in the Education Department in Roush Hall, or by calling 614-823-1214.

Eligibility is again checked prior to candidates being enrolled in Methods courses and prior to student teaching, including evaluation of specific components of electronic portfolio at designated points – see Teacher Education Program booklet for current requirements. Teacher education candidates may be dropped from the teacher education program after having been admitted if they fail to maintain the standards for admission. Candidates must have positive recommendations from field placements to continue in the program. Candidates needing more time to demonstrate competencies needed for teaching may be required to take an extra field experience, EDUC 400.

BCII and FBI background checks are required for all field experiences. On-campus services will be available each term, or students may contact any WebCheck location or police department.

Exit Requirements to be Recommended for Licensure

Successful completion of Student Teaching Clinical Practice requirements;
Successful completion of the Student Teaching Seminar requirements including an electronic exit portfolio;
Completion of all required coursework, including a “C” grade in all Professional Education courses;
Verification of GPA requirements (see Admission to Teacher Education criteria);
Valid fingerprinting and background check is required for licensure;
Application for graduation/program completion through Registrar two quarters before completion of program;
Successful completion of Praxis II examinations required for your licensure area(s) – see Education Department for current information.
Ohio Department of Education license application and other required documentation

Transfer Students

Requirements for all students transferring in as intended Education majors:

Post-evaluation 2.5 overall GPA from all institutions;
Post-evaluation 2.5 GPA in concentration/teaching area(s);
ACT scores of 20 or above on both English and Math, OR SAT scores of 500 or above on both Critical Reading and Math, OR Praxis I score of 172 or above on Writing and/or Mathematics – see Teacher Education Program booklet for current requirements;
Recommendation of Transfer Admission Counselor.

Changes of Major

Freshmen who have 44 quarter hours or less may change majors/programs at any time, with 2.5 overall GPA and approval of the department;
Students having 45 quarter hours or more must meet the same criteria as transfer students (see above), and need department approval. Students who change licensure areas or teaching areas (MCHD, AYA, and Multi-Age) after admission to teacher education must reapply. See the Education Department for details.

Field/Clinical Hours

Hours outside of classes are required in schools and in learning experiences on campus or elsewhere which allow candidates to learn to apply the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required to be a teacher. This requires careful planning and scheduling. BCII and FBI background checks are required for all field experiences. On-campus services will be available each term, or students may contact any WebCheck location or police department. See the Teacher Education Program booklet and course descriptions for more information.

Special Program Fees and Requirements

Students taking any courses held in computer labs will be assessed a lab fee, according to the college lab fee schedule.
All students will be required to subscribe to an electronic portfolio service throughout their program in order to complete coursework and portfolio requirements. See the Education Department for current information.
All student teachers are assessed a fee of $250 during the quarter they are student teaching.
BCII and FBI background checks are required for all field experiences. On-campus services will be available each term, or students may contact any WebCheck location or police department.

Special Off-Campus Student Teaching Opportunities

Students may apply for special student teaching opportunities that will enhance their exposure to diverse cultures and experiences. They include placements at McCurdy School in New Mexico, and Derby, England. Students desiring a yearlong teaching experience in conjunction with student teaching may apply for the Gahanna Internship. See the section on Off-campus opportunities in this catalog, and contact the Education Department for more information.

Advising

Early Childhood and Middle Childhood majors are typically advised by Education faculty;
Adolescence to Young Adult (AYA) and Multi-Age licensure candidates are assigned to advisors in their teaching area departments.

Adolescence to Young Adult Licensure (grades 7-12) and Multi-Age Licensure (PreK - 12)

Students pursuing teacher licensure for grades 7-12 or PreK-12 are majors in their teaching area(s), pursuing the appropriate degree for that major, and should refer to major requirements in their department. Requirements for students seeking teacher licensure are listed in the Teacher Education Program booklet available in the Education Department, 430 Roush Hall. Requirements for the department major and teacher licensure may differ somewhat, but both must be met to become licensed, and the major must be completed to receive a Bachelor’s degree. Post-baccalaureate students must meet only licensure requirements. To be recommended for teacher licensure, students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better, have a 2.5 grade point average in the teaching area, be in good standing with the Education Department, have positive recommendations from student teaching, and have successfully passed the appropriate Praxis II exams.

Program Outcomes

The programs offered lead to four year resident educator Early Childhood, Middle Childhood, Adolescence to Young Adult, or Multi-age licenses. Programs are designed to meet performance standards in the 10 areas established by the Ohio Department and INTASC of Education (Subject Matter, Student Learning, Diverse Learners, Planning Instruction, Instructional Strategies, Learning Environment, Communication, Assessment, Reflection and Professional Development, and Collaboration, Ethics, and Relationships), to prepare beginning teachers to demonstrate success in each of the 10 areas, and to provide a strong, undergraduate foundation for later graduate work.

Education Courses

Please work closely with your advisor especially as the College transitions to semesters begining Fall 2010.

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