Education - Lyndon

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Tara Fortner, Assistant Professor
 

Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies for Inclusive Teaching:

• Non-Licensure

• Elementary Education (K-6) Licensure

• Early Childhood Education (Age 3 - Grade 3) Licensure

• Special Education - Special Educator (K-8) Licensure

Associate of Science in Special Education

Licensure Endorsements

Mission Statement

Centered on the belief that “Teaching is Learning,” The Northern Vermont University-Lyndon Department of Education prepares students for careers as effective teachers or paraeducators through extensive and carefully coordinated university coursework and field-based experiences.

Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies for Inclusive Teaching

Program Goals

The NVU-Lyndon Education Department program will:

• prepare students to meet the competencies defined by the Vermont State Board of Education
• increase students’ content competencies through the completion of coursework in the Liberal Arts and Sciences
• prepare students for teaching through extensive field-based experience in teaching and classroom work
• prepare students for teaching all learners in inclusive classrooms

Vermont Educator Licensure Program

To prepare students to meet licensure requirements defined by the Vermont State Board of Education, competencies for every licensure area in our program have been formulated based on qualitative analysis of the Standards for Vermont Educators and the Regulations Governing the Licensing of Educators and the Preparation of Educational Professionals. These program competencies relate directly to appropriate state and national standards. Development and documentation of competencies by students is facilitated by an advisor who is a specialist in a particular field.

Assessment of goals takes place through portfolio development and review at both Junior and Senior levels. Attainment of all competencies must be documented with evidence presented in the portfolios. The variety of field placements allow students to use practicing teachers in addition to college supervisors as resources for competency development. The consequent combination of campus based course requirements and portfolio development activities results in an in-depth assessment of both knowledge and skills. Nationally established standardized testing is also used as entrance and exit assessments of basic academic skills and content knowledge.

Program Description

Program Approval

NVU-Lyndon’s teacher preparation programs are approved by the Vermont State Board of Education. Graduates who are recommended by the College must apply to the State Department of Education for their teaching license. Currently, Vermont teaching licenses are accepted by many states in the U.S.

The Major Programs

1. Non-Licensure Concentration: The core program plus student teaching and the completion of a liberal studies thesis. Students completing this concentration are not eligible for licensure in the state of VT.
2. Elementary Education: The core program plus 15 weeks of student teaching in an elementary classroom and approval of a final portfolio allow students to become licensed to teach in the elementary (K-6) classroom.
3. Early Childhood: The core program plus thirteen additional coursework credits, 15 weeks of student teaching in grades K-3, and approval of a final portfolio allow a student to qualify for the Early Childhood License (Age 3- Grade 3).
4. Special Education: The core program plus thirteen additional coursework credits, 15 weeks of student teaching in special education, and approval of a final portfolio allow students to be licensed as a Special Educator (K-8).
5. Elementary/Special Education Dual Licensure: The core program plus thirteen coursework credits, 7 weeks of student teaching in an elementary classroom, 7 weeks of student teaching in special education, and approval of a final portfolio allow students to be licensed as a Special Educator (K-8).

Acceptance to the Elementary Education Major

Students apply to their major during the second semester of their sophomore year. Transfer students are to consult with their advisor. In order to be accepted to the Elementary Education major, students must:

• earn a C- or better in EDU 2210 EDU 2840 and EDU 3020 (or transfer equivalent)
• demonstrate competence in college level reading and mathematics
• earn a 2.50 GPA overall and 2.75 in the Education major
• pass the Praxis Core standardized test

Eligibility for Fieldwork Apprenticeship

Students must take EDU 3315 concurrently with this fieldwork. Departmental permission required if all required courses are not yet successfully or timely completed. In order to be eligible for a fieldwork apprenticeship students must:

• earn a C- or better in EDU 2120, EDU 2210, EDU 2270, EDU 2840 EDU 3020, EDU 3325, EDU 3350, EDU 3510, EDU 3520, EDU 3530, EDU 3540, EDU 3550, and EDU 3560 (or transfer equivalent)
• pass the Praxis Core standardized test
• have an overall GPA of 2.70

Eligibility for Student Teaching

Students must pass a course in First Aid and complete the Criminal Records check before they student teach. In order to be eligible to student teach, students must:

• obtain departmental permission
• pass the Praxis Core and Praxis II standardized tests*
• make acceptable progress towards “Satisfactory” on the Professional Attributes and Disposition Assessment
• complete a minimum of 90 hours of college work with a 3.0 GPA both overall and in the Education major-or, in extraordinary circumstances, demonstrated intellectual competence as certified by the Dean of Academic Affairs

* Students who are not seeking licensure in VT are not required to pass Praxis II.

Completion of Student Teaching

In order to be recommended for licensure as a Vermont Educator, student teachers must:

• earn a grade of B or better in EDU 4811 and/or EDU 4880
• earn a minimum ranking of “Satisfactory” on the Professional Attributes and Disposition Assessment
• receive a positive evaluation and recommendation from their college supervisors

Teacher Testing

All Students must comply with current State of Vermont and Northern Vermont University regulations regarding Praxis testing for licensure:

1. Passing scores for Praxis Core must be on file at the university prior to the first of November before registering for Teaching Apprenticeship.

2. Passing scores for Praxis II must be on file at the university prior to November 1st for registering for student teaching in the Spring semester and prior to April 1st for registering for student teaching in the Fall semester*.

* Students who are not seeking licensure in VT are not required to pass Praxis II.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Multidisciplinary Studies for Inclusive Teaching will:

• demonstrate mastery of the basic academic skills of reading, writing, computing
• demonstrate mastery of content knowledge that is taught at the elementary school level
• demonstrate appropriate attributes and dispositions necessary to teach successfully
• demonstrate mastery of instruction
• demonstrate mastery of classroom management
• be recommended for licensure as a Vermont Educator, or obtain licensure as an educator in another state
• be employed as a professional educator

Assessing Learning Outcomes

The NVU-Lyndon Education Department uses the following measures to assess and ensure student learning outcomes for the Elementary Education program. All students will

1) pass the Praxis Core standardized test and;

2) earn positive evaluations on attributes and dispositions from fieldwork supervisors, EDU 3810: Fieldwork Apprenticeship and EDU 4811: Teaching Elementary Education or EDU 4880: Teaching Special Education; and

3) earn positive student teaching evaluations from fieldwork supervisors, EDU 3810: Fieldwork Apprenticeship and EDU 4811: Teaching Elementary Education or EDU 4880: Teaching Special Education.

4) pass the Praxis II standardized test*.

* Students who are not seeking licensure in VT are not required to pass Praxis II.

Additionally, either the NVU-Lyndon Education Department must approve students’ Vermont Educator e-portfolios and submit a recommendation for licensure to the State Agency of Education, or the graduate obtains licensure as a professional educator in another state. Finally, the department surveys graduates to determine where and when they have secured employment as professional educators.

Associate of Science in Special Education Paraeducator

Program Goals

The Special Education Paraeducator program prepares students to assist teachers through a combination of university coursework and field-based experiences.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who earn an Associate in Special Education will:

• demonstrate mastery of the basic academic skills of reading, writing, computing
• demonstrate mastery of assisting in instruction
• demonstrate mastery of assisting in classroom management
• demonstrate appropriate attributes and dispositions necessary to teach successfully
• be employed as a paraeducator (paraprofessional)

Assessing Student Learning Outcomes

The NVU-Lyndon Education Department uses the following measures to assess and ensure student learning outcomes for the Special Education Paraeducator program. All students must meet all Associate’s Degree graduation standards.

Successful students will also

1) earn a positive student teaching evaluation from their fieldwork supervisors, EDU 2840: Exploratory Field Experience and EDU 2855: Practicum for Paraeducators and

2) earns positive student teaching evaluations from their fieldwork supervisors, EDU 2840: Exploratory Field Experience and EDU 2855: Practicum for Paraeducators.

Additionally, students will earn positive evaluations on attributes and dispositions from their fieldwork supervisors. Finally, the department surveys graduates to determine where and when they have secured employment as paraeducators.

Endorsements

Teaching is a continuous process of developing an understanding of the relationships among content, pedagogy, and human development in order to assist others to learn. At NVU-Lyndon, we strive to inspire teacher-licensure students to become competent beginning teachers and to commit to an ongoing process of learning. We prepare teachers able to apply developmentally appropriate practice and feedback to help their students achieve goals important to our schools and society.

Programs

The teaching licensure programs available at NVU-Lyndon include three grade levels and six academic disciplines. They are as follows:

VT Ref. VT License Grade  Lyndon Academic Department/ Number*  Title      Level   Lyndon Concentration Area

5440-36  Early      Age 3   Education
         Childhood -Grade 3 Early Childhood
         Education**

5440-00  Elementary  K-6     Education
         Education           Elementary Education

5440-05  English     7-12    English Literature degree
                             plus licensure program

5440-11  Mathematics 7-12    Mathematics and Computer Science
                                                                    Mathematics degree
                             plus licensure program

5440-13  Science     7-12    Natural Science
                             any concentration plus
                             licensure program

5440-15  Social      7-12    Social Science  
         Studies             any concentration plus
                             licensure program

5440-82  Special     K-8     Education
         Educator

* Regulations Governing the Licensing of Educators and the Preparation of Educational Professionals September, 2003.

Important Program Note:  ** This endorsement has the elementary endorsement as a prerequisite for initial licensure.

State Approval

NVU-Lyndon’s teacher-preparation programs have been granted program approval by the Vermont State Board of Education. Graduates in these programs are eligible for a license to teach in Vermont upon completion of a portfolio, recommendation of their major department and the Provost, completion of a criminal records check, acceptance of their portfolio by a review panel, satisfaction of Vermont State Standards, receipt of their degrees, and passing required Praxis tests. Licenses are issued by the State Department of Education following application by the graduate. Currently, Vermont Teaching Licenses are accepted reciprocally by 29 other states.

Program Theme

All NVU-Lyndon teacher-licensure programs function under a single theme: Teaching is Learning. We see teaching and learning as reciprocal and mutually supporting activities. Good teachers constantly learn from their students and professional sources. What they learn in turn shapes and refines their teaching. Students learn and are empowered to pass on what they learn through formal and informal teaching/sharing opportunities. From this perspective, all those involved in a teaching/learning situation benefit and grow.

Portfolio

The State of Vermont and Northern Vermont University require that students complete a theme-based portfolio reflecting mastery of required competencies and growth over the period of the program. The student’s portfolio is evaluated by a panel and must receive a positive evaluation in order for the student to be recommended for a teaching license.

First Aid

Prior to student teaching Northern Vermont University requires all teacher-preparation students to hold a valid First Aid Certificate.

Eligibility for Student Teaching

Student teaching, usually carried out during the senior year, requires the student to have completed a minimum of 90 hours of college work with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.00 and a grade-point average for required education courses of 3.00, or in extraordinary circumstances demonstrated intellectual competence as certified by the Provost. Passing scores for Praxis Core and Praxis II must be on file prior to student teaching. Departmental permission is also required.

Post-Baccalaureate Licensing Plan in Teacher Education

 The Post-Baccalaureate Licensing Plan serves two groups:

1. College graduates who decide to become teachers;
2. School teachers who desire an additional endorsement.

In general, those already holding a Bachelor’s Degree are eligible. This program of study requires students to complete the same courses, or to demonstrate equivalent competency, as required of undergraduates in the college’s teacher-preparation programs. This usually requires at least 30 credits beyond the bachelor degree. Candidates should apply to the Admissions Office and will be assigned an academic advisor in the department sponsoring certification. The individual program of courses required will be stated in writing for each candidate by the advisor and with the approval of the Provost. The candidate’s previous preparation, present needs, occupational goals and individual interests will be considered in this statement. The program requirements for teacher certification must have appeared in a catalog no more than two years prior to completion of course work. Praxis Core and Praxis II are required.

Teacher Testing

All students must comply with current State of Vermont regulations regarding testing for licensure.

Completion of Student Teaching

 In order to be eligible for licensing in Vermont, student teachers must receive a grade of “B” or better and receive a positive recommendation from the University supervisor and the cooperating field teacher.

Performance of NVU-Lyndon Students

Of the students who were completing the University’s teacher education program in 2007-2008, 100% satisfactorily passed all licensure assessments.

Criminal Records Check

The State of Vermont requires a criminal records check (including fingerprinting) of all persons in public school who may be with a student in an unsupervised situation.  

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