education

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Education Department Narrative

Bachelor of Science Teacher Education Program

Teacher certification programs are an integral part of the College. The mission of the Teacher Education Program is to develop a community of educators that embraces student learning as a primary commitment. The Program seeks to produce graduates who are (1) knowledgeable in their area of study, (2) possess awareness and ability to respond effectively in a diverse society, (3) able to communicate effectively, (4) embrace lifelong learning, and (5) attain teacher certification prior to graduation.

The Teacher Education Program is comprised of certification programs in elementary education (Generalist EC-6), middle (4th - 8th) school, secondary (8th - 12th), and all-level education programs. Professional courses are designed to prepare students for teacher certification. Faculty members in the Teacher Education Program work collaboratively with the other disciplines on the campus to prepare students for the content field specialization required by all education majors. All certification programs lead to the Bachelor of Science degree and standard certification for teaching in Texas public schools. All-level teacher certificates (grades EC-12) are offered in special education and physical education. Candidates for elementary school certification work toward an interdisciplinary studies major. A minor in special education is also available for those who wish to further enhance their preparation.

The Texas Education Agency of the State of Texas establishes policies, which govern all certification programs. These policies are subject to changes made by the State Board for Educator Certification. Jarvis Christian College remains compliant with these policies, as administered by the Division of Educator Certification of the Texas Education Agency. The Jarvis Teacher Education Advisory Board is the policy-making body within the Teacher Education Program. This group of local educators and community representatives is responsible for development of policies and practices, which guide the planning, implementation, evaluation, and maintenance of the Teacher Education Program.

Teacher Certification

Benchmark 1: Admission to the Teacher Education Program

Jarvis Christian College students interested in teacher certification should contact the Office of Academic Affairs during their first semester to declare their intent to teach. They will be assigned to an advisor and have the entry, retention, exiting, and certification requirements of the Teacher Education Program explained. To be admitted to the Teacher Education Program, all students must prepare a professional portfolio that contains:

An application

A degree plan signed by the student’s advisor and Declaration of Major Form

A copy of an official transcript, which reflects completion of 60 semester hours of general education coursework with a 2.50 cumulative grade point average; which includes 12 hours in the content area.

A record of the Accuplacer Examination, which reflects achievement of a minimum score of 63 in algebra, score of 79 in the reading section and a minimum score of 6 on the writing sample. This requirement can be met by achieving a composite of 21 or above on the ACT or a score of 850 or higher on the SAT Examination.

A philosophy of education paper, which includes: a brief autobiographical sketch, philosophy of education, experiences with children, and educational goals. Instruction sheets will be provided by your advisor.

Three (3) recommendations from content and professional education faculty with whom the student has taken classes.

Documentation of an interview with faculty in the Division of Education.

The students will be notified by letter of the decision regarding their application for admission into the Teacher Education Program from the Certification Officer within two (2) weeks of the interview.

Students are not permitted to take professional education courses in excess of 12 credit hours prior to admission to the Teacher Education Program; and shall be limited to the following:

EDUC 1301 - Introduction to Teacher Education

EDSP 3300 - Introduction to Exceptional Children

EDUC 3306 - Psychological Foundations of Education

EDUC 3302 - Curricula and Instructional Planning

To be retained in the Teacher Education Program, a student must:

Maintain at least a 2.50 cumulative average.

Maintain outstanding moral character.

Complete requirements for admission to teacher education.

Benchmark 2: Admission to Student Teaching:

The semester prior to completion of program coursework, the student must apply for permission to enroll in student teaching. Following the completion of Benchmark 1, the student is to resubmit the portfolio with the following additions:

Updated degree plan information.

Updated transcript information showing evidence of completion of all program coursework, except the semester in which application is made, at or above a “C” grade level and which reflects a cumulative average of at least 2.50.

Reflective entries from each early clinical field experience.

Documented evidence of an 85% pass rate on each of the respective content TExES preparation courses.

Pass the content examination prior to the semester of student teaching.

Two additional different references from education and content faculty.

Evidence of a completed criminal history check.

Students must complete and submit a Student Teaching Application with the updated portfolio to the Certification Office during the semester before the student plans to do student teaching, which is October 15th of the fall semester and March 15th of the spring semester. Students are not permitted to enroll in additional coursework during student teaching.

To be retained in the Teacher Education Program, a student must:

Maintain at least a 2.50 cumulative average.

Maintain outstanding moral character.

Present a passing score on the content examination.

Benchmark 3: Completion of Certification Requirements:

To complete student teaching, a student must:

During student teaching, strictly adhere to all policies and procedures outlined in the Student Teaching Handbook and school policies.

One week prior to the end of student teaching, submit to the student teaching supervisor the final portfolio, containing:

Documentation of community involvement.

Copies of College/ field supervisor/principal evaluations (mid-semester and final).

The portfolio will be reviewed before a final grade is issued for the student teaching experience.

Administrative Policies and Procedures for Admission and Retention

Students interested in declaring education as their major are to contact the Certification Officer or advisors any time during a semester.

Admission to teacher education can be completed and processed at any point in the semester.

Retention status will be reviewed and acted on at the end of each grading period.

Students are expected to meet with their assigned advisor at least twice during each semester. At least one session per semester is to be devoted to registration.

Failure to meet criterion for retention in the Teacher Education Program will result in suspension from the program. Such students may request reconsideration at the end of the next semester.

Requirements for Teacher Certification

Teachers in Texas public schools are required by law to hold a valid Texas Teacher’s Certificate for the grade level, specialization area, or position to which they are assigned. Students at Jarvis Christian College who successfully complete an approved program in teacher education and the requirements below are recommended to the State Board for Educator Certification for the appropriate certificate. Students must file the application for the certificate online with the State Board for Educator Certification.

To be eligible for the Standard Certification in Texas, the applicant must successfully complete:

Coursework

Student Teaching or Internship

State-Mandated Examinations

Additionally, candidates must clear all outstanding financial obligations to Jarvis Christian College.

Description of Program Finisher

A Program Finisher is a student who has fulfilled all of the requirements for admission to the Teacher Education Program without any exceptions or qualifications of any kind. The student must also have completed student teaching with a grade of C or better. The student must have completed all other academic requirements and have been awarded the appropriate baccalaureate degree by the College.

Certification Programs in Teacher Education

A teaching program in elementary education is comprised of fifty-seven (57) semester hours of general education coursework; forty (40) semester hours of professional development courses, including student teaching; and twenty-seven (27) semester hours of interdisciplinary academic coursework.

A program in middle or high school education is comprised of fifty-seven (57) semester hours of general education coursework; thirty-one (31) semester hours of professional development courses, including student teaching; from thirty-six to forty-four (36-44) semester hours of content area coursework.

The All-Level Teaching Programs in special education and physical education have individual requirements.

The State Board for Educator Certification of the State of Texas governs all certification programs. These programs are subject to changes made by the State Board for Educator Certification.

Degree Plans.pdf

Complaint Process.pdf


DaMesia Starling, Ed.D.

Chair, Department of Education & Assistant Professor of Education 

903-730-4890 x2134
dstarling@jarvis.edu 

Cheryl Kariuki, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor - Education/Director of the Honors Program

903-730-4890 x2130
ckariuki@jarvis.edu










Jarvis Christian University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, or call 404-679-4500, or visit www.sacscoc.org for questions about the accreditation of Jarvis Christian University. To view PDFs, you may download Adobe Reader here.