Apr 18, 2024  
2010-2011 Catalog 
    
2010-2011 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Education


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Assistant Professor Moss (Chair), Professors Jeanne McGlinn, Jim McGlinn; Associate Professors Byrd, Cole, Ruppert, Sidelnick; Clinical Associate Professor Bowman; Assistant Professor Brown; Lecturers Hopper, Chapman; Technology Coordinator Randall; Outreach Coordinator Kessaris; Field Placement Coordinator Decatur

The UNC Asheville Teacher Education Program, approved by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI), requires completion of a disciplinary major and offers professional education courses necessary to qualify for North Carolina Standard Professional I Teaching Licensure in areas described after the following general information.

Teacher Education Formal Admission

All students interested in teacher licensure must meet with the appropriate advisor in the Department of Education upon first interest and at least once per semester thereafter. For formal admission, students must have:

  • earned at least 45 semester hours (2nd semester sophomore standing);
  • earned a 2.5 cumulative grade-point average on all UNC Asheville course work;
  • achieved a grade of C- or higher in both  EDUC 210  and EDUC 211   
  • received acceptable scores as established by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction on the SAT or ACT, or the PRAXIS I: Academic Skill Assessment/Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST). (See department chair or appropriate advisor in the department for more information);
  • a satisfactory evaluation on the abilities/characteristics listed on the Dispositions Checklist administered in  EDUC 210  and other relevant courses; and have
  • a satisfactory evaluation of performance in the field experience in EDUC 210 .

Continuing Requirements

Once formally admitted to the teacher education program, candidates for licensure must demonstrate at least satisfactory achievement in the areas of content knowledge, pedagogy, and professionalism. Candidates must have:

  • a grade of C- or better in all education courses;
  • a satisfactory evaluation of performance in all field experiences; and
  • a satisfactory evaluation on the abilities/characteristics listed on the Dispositions Checklist in relevant courses.

Student Teaching

To be admitted to student teaching, candidates must have fulfilled all continuing requirements. In addition, candidates must have:

  • a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher for all courses taken at UNCA;
  • completed the requirements for a major in an approved discipline with a GPA of 2.0 or higher;
  • a satisfactory evaluation on the abilities/characteristics listed on the Dispositions Checklist in relevant courses; and
  • a satisfactory evaluation on the unit plan and the field experience in the capstone methods course.

UNC Asheville students seeking licensure should consult the Department of Education Policies and Procedures Manual for more specific information related to obtaining North Carolina Standard Professional I Teaching Licensure through UNC Asheville and should meet with an education advisor to develop an individual licensure plan. Visit http://www.unca.edu/education for additional information.

Recommendation for North Carolina Standard Professional I Teaching Licensure

To receive this recommendation, candidates for licensure must have completed all requirements for admission to student teaching. In addition, candidates must:

  • complete the student teaching experience as indicated through the Exit Criteria form with at least an “At Standard” rating on the criteria for content knowledge, pedagogy, and professionalism and on overall performance,
  • attain passing scores on PRAXIS II: Specialty Area Tests if seeking K–6 licensure. Middle school (6–9) licensure students must also complete these tests if they do not have 24 hours in the content areas; and
  • successfully complete a portfolio demonstrating advanced competencies in educational technology.

First Areas of Licensure

The Education Department is accredited to recommend candidates for licensure in:

  • Elementary Education (K–6);
  • Middle School (6–9): Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies;
  • Secondary Education (9–12): Biology, Chemistry, Comprehensive Science, Earth Science, English, Latin, Mathematics, Physics, Social Studies; and
  • Kindergarten–12 (K–12): Art, Foreign Language (French, German and Spanish), Theatre Arts

Areas of Major

Students receiving K-12 or 9-12 licensure must complete a specific disciplinary major, which is the core for their licensure area. Middle school licensure candidates (6–9) may major in psychology or a specific disciplinary major appropriate to language arts, mathematics, science or social studies. Those desiring to teach at the K–6 level may major in any department.

Licensure for Post-Baccalaureate Candidates

The department offers opportunities for individuals holding bachelor’s degrees or higher and desiring (a) initial North Carolina Standard Professional I Teaching Licensure, (b) licensure in another area, (c) renewal credits, or (d) fulfillment of lateral entry or Regional Alternative Licensure Center (RALC) requirements. These individuals meet with an Education Department advisor to plan their course of study. To be licensed, post-baccalaureate candidates must meet the same or equivalent course requirements as other UNC Asheville candidates seeking licensure in the same area, and have an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 or have completed a master’s degree or higher. Post-baccalaureate students with an undergraduate GPA between 2.0 and 2.5 must meet with an Education advisor to design a plan of study and are required to have acceptable scores, as established by NCDPI on the SAT, ACT, or PRAXIS I: PPST.

Required Document Completion

All students must sign and date:

  • a Request for Advisor in the Education Department;
  • a Request for Formal Admission to the licensure program with the appropriate advisor, and a formal contract for licensure. This is done after successful completion of  EDUC 210  and EDUC 211 , and satisfactory performance on SAT, ACT, or PRAXIS I:PPST;
  • a placement request for the Professional Year;
  • an Application to Student Teach, submitted to the Coordinator of Field Placements no later than the third week of the semester prior to student teaching; and
  • the final evaluation Exit Criteria form upon completion of student teaching. In addition, the student must insure that all appropriate request-for-licensure forms are submitted to the department chair upon completion of student teaching. (See advisor for details).

Mandated Qualifying Examinations

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction mandates that all undergraduate students have acceptable scores on the SAT, ACT, or PRAXIS I: PPST before being granted formal admission to the teacher licensure program. Passing scores on PRAXIS II: Specialty Area Tests are required for students seeking K-6 licensure. Students needing Praxis I are expected to take it during the semester they are enrolled in EDUC 210  and EDUC 211 .

Technology Requirement

The successful demonstration of competency in the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) is required for teaching licensure in North Carolina. UNC Asheville requires the completion of an electronic portfolio of advanced technology competencies as an indication of the preservice teacher’s ability to apply technology skills in areas associated with teaching.

Education Department Programs

 

Education

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