College of Education

Deborah L. Hedeen, Ph.D., Dean
Peter R. Denner, Ph.D., Associate Dean
Susan Jenkins, Ph.D., Assistant Dean

College Structure

The College is organized into four academic departments and five centers/offices:

Department of Educational Foundations

Beverly Ray, Ph.D., Chair

The Department of Educational Foundations offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in elementary education, secondary ­education, early childhood education, and general family and consumer sciences. The department also offers core courses in educational foundations for teacher preparation programs and master of education degree programs.

Graduate Department of Educational Leadership and Instructional Design

Dotty Sammons-Lohse, Ed.D., Chair

The Graduate Department of Educational Leadership and Instruction Design offers graduate programs in instructional technology, instructional design, and educational leadership, including both public school and higher education administration.

Department of School Psychology, Literacy, and Special Education

David Mercaldo, Ph.D., Chair

The Department of School Psychology, Literacy, and Special Education offers undergraduate degrees in human exceptionality, and graduate degrees in human exceptionality, literacy, school psychology, and deaf education. The department also offers literacy courses for undergraduate teacher preparation programs.

Department of Sport Science and Physical Education

Karen Appleby, Ph.D., Chair

The Department of Sport Science and Physical Education offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in physical education, and the physical education major for secondary education. The undergraduate degrees have four elective emphasis areas--exercise science, outdoor education, physical education teaching K-12, and sport management. Minors in coaching, outdoor education, and sport management are also offered.  The Intermountain Center for Education Effectiveness

Intermountain Center for Education Effectiveness

Charles (Chuck) R. Zimmerly, Ed.d., Director
Susan Jenkins, Ph.D., Associate Director

The Intermountain Center for Education Effectiveness (ICEE) collaborates with local school districts, education agencies, professional orga­nizations, and policy makers throughout the Intermountain West, working within partnerships that enhance the delivery of quality education. The ICEE coordinates professional education programs and coursework, agency/school development, business and community partnerships, and research with its related services.

Advising Center

Paula Mandeville, M.Coun., Coordinator

The Advising Center provides candidates with specific advising information relative to admission to teacher education programs, evaluation of transfer courses, submission of petitions, academic appeals, and certification recommendations. An education advisor is appointed for each candidate who applies for admission to Teacher Education in the College of Education. In addition to an education advisor in the Advising Center, the Advising Center directs each admitted candidate to obtain a second advisor in his or her major. For some majors, the education advisor may also serve as the advisor for the major.

Office of Field Experiences

(Vacant), Coordinator

The Office of Field Experiences administers the student-teaching internship component of clinical experiences including the placement of students, selection of cooperating teachers, and assignment of university supervisors. Copies of the Student Teaching Internship Handbook are available to teacher candidates in the Office of Field Experiences.

Declaration of Major/Program

The College of Education offers a variety of majors, minors, and emphasis areas. Some degree programs offer both teacher certification and non-teaching options. Candidates for degrees must choose from among the approved majors, minors, or emphasis areas of their degree programs. Candidates seeking teacher certification must choose from among the teaching majors and minors, or emphasis areas, and must choose the teaching option of their degree program. Declaration of major/program must be accomplished by the time a candidate has completed 58 credits of coursework. For candidates in physical education (non-teaching and teacher certification options), this is usually accomplished at the time of application and admission to the program. For teacher candidates, this is usually accomplished at the time of application and admission to Teacher Education (see the section on Teacher Education). Prior to admission to Teacher Education, prospective teacher candidates will be classified as Pre-Majors in their respective degree programs.

General Education Requirements

All candidates who have declared a major in the College of Education and plan to acquire a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Music Education degree must complete all goals of the University’s general education requirements (Goals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10A or 10B, 11, and 12). Candidates pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree must complete Goals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, two of Goals 6, 7, and 8; and three of Goals 9, 10A or 10B, 11 and 12. A checklist available in the College of Education Advising Center provides goal selection guidance for candidates in the elementary, secondary, special education, and early childhood education programs. Candidates transferring to Idaho State University from a junior college that is part of the state wide articulation agreement should refer to the General Information section of this catalog to determine fulfillment of the university general education requirements; however, all candidates who plan to enter teacher education and who plan to complete the Student Teaching Internship must fulfill, or have fulfilled, Goals 1, 2, and 3. Candidates who possess a bachelor’s degree in a discipline other than education and desire to complete requirements for a teaching certificate in any area, must complete, or have completed, Goals 1, 2, and 3 or their equivalents. Specific general education requirements unique to individual programs in the College of Education are listed with the programs in those sections of the catalog.

Reasonable Accommodation for Candidates with Disabilities

If you have a diagnosed disability or believe that you have a disability that might require “reasonable accommodation” on the part of the instructor, please call the Director of the ADA and Disabilities Resource Center, (208) 282-3599. As a part of the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is the responsibility of the candidate to disclose a disability prior to requesting reasonable accommodation.

Teacher Education

Many of the degree programs in the College of Education have been designed to meet the Idaho standards and requirements for initial certification of professional school personnel approved by the Idaho State Board of Education and the Idaho State Department of Education. The College of Education shares responsibility with the College of Arts and Letters, the College of Science and Engineering, and the Division of Health Sciences for teacher education programs. The colleges work in close cooperation through the Teacher Education Committee. The programs specified in this catalog comply with the current State of Idaho standards and requirements for certifications and endorsements. Idaho certification ensures reciprocity with the certification standards and requirements of most states. The teacher education programs described in this catalog have been approved by the State Board of Education as required for program completers to be eligible for certification. Approved programs (also called regular route certification) are also available to qualified persons holding bachelors degrees from accredited institutions seeking teaching certification. Candidates pursuing initial teacher certification, whether degree seeking or not, must fulfill all teacher education requirements as outlined for institutional recommendation for teaching certification in the area of certification (i.e., Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary, etc.) and for endorsements (i.e., Biology, History, etc.) on the certificate.

Teacher education programs are updated regularly to reflect changes to the Idaho standards and requirements. Hence, regardless of the ISU Undergraduate Catalog declared for the purpose of meeting ISU graduation requirements, teacher candidates may need to meet changes to certification requirements as specified by the Idaho State Board of Education and the Idaho State Department of Education in order to be eligible for recommendation for initial teacher certification at the time of program completion.

The College of Education Advising Center informs candidates about changes to certification requirements, particularly changes to required tests and qualifying scores.

Standard Teaching Certificates

Persons completing an initial certification program (a.k.a. Program Completers) are eligible for recommendation from the College of Education for a standard teaching certificate as follows:

Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education Blended Certificate (Birth-3)

Standard Elementary Certificate (K-8)

Standard Elementary Certificate (K-12 for Art, English as a New Language, Music, or Physical Education)

Standard Secondary Certificate (6-12)

Standard Secondary Certificate (K-12 for English as a New Language, French, German, Health, Music, Physical Education, or Spanish).

Standard Exceptional Child Certificate - Generalist (K-12)

For administrator certificates, pupil personnel services certificates (such as school psychologist or school guidance counselor), and the Standard Exceptional Child Certificate with the Hearing Impaired (K-12) endorsement, see the College of Education section of the Graduate School Catalog or pertinent sections of the undergraduate or graduate catalogs for programs offered by the Division of Health Sciences. Candidates interested in becoming certified teachers of children who are deaf/hard of hearing in Idaho will need to earn a bachelor’s degree and have met the requirements for a Standard Elementary Certificate (K-8), a Standard Secondary Certificate (6-12), or a Standard Exceptional Child Certificate with the Generalist (K-12) endorsement.

Accreditations

The State of Idaho participates in a partnership agreement with the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). To be considered State Board of Education approved, all educator preparation programs must meet NCATE accreditation standards and they must be reviewed and approved by the Idaho State Department of Education. The College of Education is fully accredited by NCATE and its programs have been reviewed and approved by the Idaho State Department of Education. In addition, programs can achieve national recognition through accreditation by national organizations in their areas of specialization. The preschool laboratory is accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs. The Bachelor of Music Education is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. The School Psychology programs (see the Graduate School catalog) are accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists. 

Teacher Certification Only and Accelerated Certification  

Persons who already hold a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree may seek teaching certification by completing a regular route initial teacher certification program through the College of Education. Candidates must meet the entrance requirements for admission to Teacher Education (although some admission requirements may be waived by petition – See the section on Petitions) and they must meet the coursework and completion requirements for a standard teacher education program. An Accelerated Certification program (regular route) that starts in May of each calendar year and typically takes one year to complete is available for qualified candidates interested in a Standard Secondary Certificate (for further information contact the Advising Center or the Associate Dean). In addition to application to Teacher Education, candidates for certification-only must complete a Request for Evaluation of Transcripts and submit their transcripts from other institutions for evaluation. Candidates seeking certification also have the option of pursuing a   second bachelor’s degree (See the requirements elsewhere in the catalog and discuss this option with an advisor). 

 Alternative Routes to Certification 

Idaho permits individuals to become certificated teachers without following a standard teacher education program through one of several Alternative Route programs. For more information, see the Idaho State Department of Education website at http://www.sde.idaho.gov. The alternative route programs require submission of an application packet and a plan that is approved by the Idaho State Department of Education. Some of the alternative routes require a request from and the participation of an employing school district. Some alternative routes require participation of a college or university. For the College of Education at Idaho State University to participate in an alternative route plan, a copy of the plan must be filed with and signed by the Dean or Associate Dean of the College of Education. The candidate must be admitted to enroll in courses through the University and the candidate must meet other admission requirements as determined by the College of Education (such as verification of a successful background check). Candidates will be assigned a qualified faculty mentor/supervisor from the related regular route teacher preparation program. Because alternative routes are individualized programs, additional fees may be charged. 

Additional Endorsements  

Candidates for the Standard Secondary Certificate are qualified for subject area endorsements matching their single-subject teaching major or their teaching major and minor fields that fulfill their degree requirements. To add endorsements, candidates can complete additional teaching majors or teaching minors prior to graduation or they can add endorsements to their existing Standard Secondary Certificate after graduation and initial certification. (See the Idaho State Department of Education website at http://www.sde.idaho.gov for the procedures and requirements for adding endorsements to an existing Standard Secondary Certificate.) Persons who already hold a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree and an existing Standard Secondary Certificate can be admitted to the university as non-degree seeking to pursue additional secondary education endorsements. This does not require admission to Teacher Education. However, persons seeking a different teaching certificate must be admitted to Teacher Education in the new certification program area or to an alternative route program.        

Candidates meeting the requirements for a Standard Elementary Certificate will also meet the requirements for a middle grades (grades six to eight) teaching field endorsement, if they meet the requirements for an elementary education teaching emphasis and also meet or exceed the state qualifying score for the required Praxis-II subject-area test. Candidates for the Standard Elementary Certificate may also add endorsements to teach at the ninth grade level (Ninth Grade Endorsement). To add a ninth grade endorsement, candidates must complete the requirements for a subject area endorsement as outlined under the requirements for a Standard Secondary Certificate and they must meet or exceed the state qualifying score for the required Praxis-II subject area test. With the exception of the elementary education emphasis in Mathematics, which already meets the requirements for the secondary education endorsement in Basic Mathematics, the listed emphasis areas for the elementary education program do not meet the requirements for the ninth-grade endorsements, but any of them could do so with additional planning and coursework. Candidates in elementary education are encouraged to discuss this with an advisor.

Background Checks and Fingerprinting 

Applicants to Teacher Education are required to have completed a background check that includes fingerprinting prior to taking any course that requires admission to Teacher Education. This is usually done in EDUC 2201 or CFS 2203. Please note another background check is required by the State Department of Education immediately prior to student teaching. In addition, any time there is a break in the continuance of classes after admission to Teacher Education, candidates will be required to complete a new background check. Be aware that background checks may take as long as eight weeks to be completed, so start early in the semester. Admittance or re-admittance to Teacher Education may be delayed until results are received. For additional information, contact the College of Education Advising Center.

Admission to Teacher Education 

Candidates must make a formal application and complete an interview for admission to Teacher Education. The Teacher Education Committee approves the standards for admission. Application for admission and the scheduling of the admission interview are completed through forms available in the Advising Center of the College of Education following the completion of at least 26 credit hours of college work. Candidates may not register for courses that require admittance to Teacher Education or register for courses that have prerequisites that require admittance to Teacher Education until admission is achieved. Candidates who have been denied admittance may reapply when qualification criteria have been met; however, they must meet the standards for admission in place at the time of their reapplication to attain admission.

Criteria for admission to Teacher Education include the following:

1.         A 2.75 overall grade point average including all transfer credits or credits earned in a previous degree program.

2.         A grade of “B” [3.0] or higher in at least two of the following areas with a grade of no lower than “C” [2.0] in any of the three areas:

·         ENGL 1101 (English Composition) or ENGL 1102 (Critical Reading and Writing) or College of Education-approved equivalent.

·         COMM 1101 (Principles of Speech) or College of Education-approved equivalent.

·         MATH: Any of the following, or College of Education-approved equivalent:

Elementary

a) 1108 Intermediate Algebra

b) 1143 College Algebra

c) 2256 Structure of Arithmetic for Elementary School Teachers

d) 2257 Structure of Geometry and Probability for Elementary

Secondary

a) 1123 Mathematics in Modern Society

b) 1127 The Language of Mathematics

c) 1130 Finite Mathematics

d) 1153 Introduction to Statistics

e) 1160 Applied Calculus

f) 1170 Calculus I

3.    A successful background check (See Background Checks and Fingerprinting).

4.    A grade of “C” [2.0] or higher in EDUC 2201 Development and Individual Difference (or CFS 2203 The Young Child for Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education candidates), or equivalent. Applicants for admission to a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Human Exceptionality must also complete SPED 3330 or SPED 3340 and earn a grade of at least C [2.0].

5.    A grade of “C” [2.0] or higher in EDUC 2215 Preparing to Teach with Technology or equivalent. Individuals can test out of the EDUC 2215 requirement by passing the IC3 Key Applications competency test offered through the College of Education Advising Center.

6.    Presentation of minimum scores achieved on the Praxis I Academic Skills Assessments:

Reading = 172;

Writing = 174;

Mathematics = 169.

7.    Submission of Professional Portfolio entry with rubric scores completed as course requirement for EDUC 2201 or CFS 2203 (or College of Southern Idaho transfer equivalent).

8.    A recommendation form completed by the EDUC 2201 or CFS 2203 instructor (or College of Southern Idaho transfer equivalent).

9.    Submission of signed affidavit indicating awareness of the Idaho Code pertaining to teacher certification requirements.

10.  Successful completion of the Teacher Education Program Admission Interview.

Professional Education Core

In addition to meeting general education requirements, teaching field requirements, and program specific professional knowledge/methodology requirements, programs preparing candidates for Idaho teaching certificates must ensure that program completers have coursework and preparation in educational foundations and general methodology. The Teacher Education Committee has approved a set of professional core courses to fulfill these requirements and ensure that teacher candidates demonstrate competency with respect to the Idaho Core Teacher Standards through course-embedded performance assessments. In general, the professional core courses are taught by the Department of Educational Foundations and are taken by candidates across the teacher preparation programs. See the list of Professional Education Core courses required by your program, because they vary slightly by degree program.

Dismissal and Probation Policies

Candidates admitted to Teacher Education are subject to the same general policies as the rest the students of Idaho State University as far as probation and dismissal from the institution are concerned. Candidates must continue to demonstrate satisfactory progress in achieving the standards of their programs. In addition to academic standards, candidates may be dismissed from Teacher Education for conduct contrary to the professional standards of the Code of Ethics for Idaho Professional Educators (latest revision, Idaho State Department of Education). Although admission to Teacher Education is to a specific program, dismissal from any teacher preparation program is a dismissal from Teacher Education. Candidates on probation who desire to switch their program to another program in the college or university must file a petition to obtain approval. 

Student Teaching Internship

The student teaching internship is designed to be the culminating professional clinical experience for candidates in teacher education. This is a professional develop­ment experience during which the intern works in a school context with students. It provides an opportunity for the intern to assume major responsibility for the full range of teaching in an approved school situation under the guidance of qualified personnel from Idaho State University and the cooperating schools.

The internship is scheduled for a full semester. Candidates should not plan to enroll in any additional coursework during the internship semester. No candidate is permitted to enroll in a correspondence or regularly scheduled course during the semester in which s/he is completing the internship without written permission from the Coordinator of the Office of Field Experiences. All programs other than Music Education require 14 credits of internship. An internship may consist of two blocks of 7 credits or a single block of 14 credits. The Music Educa­tion program requires 7 credits or 14 credits to be determined in consultation with the Music Department. Candidates pursuing dual certifications may complete separate blocks of 7 credits in each required internship area.

Teacher candidates must file an application for a student teaching internship with the Office of Field Experiences by October 20 for fall semester of the following year, and by April 20 for spring semester of the following year. There is a $50 charge for late applications, a $25 charge for change of placement, and a $25 charge for reapplication. Applications for all teaching internships may be obtained from the Office of Field Experiences. The application must be signed by the candidate's advisor(s) and approved by the Coordinator of the Office of Field Experiences.

The candidate must meet the following criteria for enrollment in a student teaching internship (EDUC 4492, 4494, 4495, or 4496, BED 4496, CFS 4493 or 4495, PE 4495, SPED 4495):

1.    Admission to a teacher education program.

2.    Completion of all program requirements unless specifically approved by petition.

3.    Completion of at least 67% of the professional education core credits required by the program from Idaho State University.

4.    A 2.75 grade point average overall including all transfer credits or credits earned in a previous degree program.

5.    A 2.75 grade point average in the professional education core including all transfer credits or credits earned in a previous degree program with a grade of “C” [2.0] or higher in all courses used for the professional education core.

6.    A grade point average of 2.5 or higher in all courses in the Required Elementary Education Courses for the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and all Required Secondary Education Courses for the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. A grade point average of 3.0 in all Required Special Education Courses for the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Human Exceptionality and no more than one grade of C [2.0] or lower.

7.    A 2.50 grade point average in the teaching major and minor (secondary) or emphasis area (elementary) including all transfer credits or credits earned in a previous degree program.

8.    A grade of “C” [2.0] or higher in ENGL 1102 (Critical Reading and Writing) or College of Education-approved equivalent course.

9.    Successful completion of the Praxis II Content Test(s) in each area being recommended for certification. The Idaho qualifying scores required for each test are available in the College of Education Advising Center and the College of Education Dean’s Office.

10.  For elementary education, human exceptionality (special education), and early childhood education candidates, applicants must demonstrate successful completion of at least two of the three standards tests of the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessment [The qualifying scores for all three tests must be met prior to graduation]. Qualifying scores for the ICLA are available in the College of Education Advising Center.

Application for Certification

Application for certification is separate from application for graduation. Regular route program completers are eligible for institutional recommendation for State of Idaho professional educator certification. It is the responsibility of the applicant to have the Institutional Recommendation completed. Applications for the Standard Elementary Certificate, the Standard Secondary Certificate, the Standard Exceptional Child Certificate, the Administrator Certificate, or the Pupil Personnel Services Certificate are available in the main Administrative Office of the College of Education or on-line from the College of Education website. Program completers must initiate the certification process by submitting a completed application for certification to the Office of the Associate Dean of the College of Education. The application must be completed and returned with a transcript order and check or money order for the certificate attached. Certification applications are forwarded to the State Department of Education Certification Office in Boise. Candidates who desire to pursue professional educator certification in a state other than Idaho are advised to consult with the Associate Dean's office regarding reciprocity agreements with other states and possible additional requirements related to the states in question. The Associate Dean is the official certification officer for the College of Education; all requests for certification must be processed and signed by the certification officer before the papers can be processed by any state Office of Certification. Verification of completion of an Idaho State Board of Education approved teacher preparation program is required to support the application for an Idaho credential. Verification of Idaho qualifying scores for all state required tests in each area being recommended for certification is also required. The College of Education maintains a record of all individuals recommended for certification. The Dean and the faculty of the College of Education reserve the right to refuse to recommend a program completer for a standard teaching certificate, if such recommendation would appear to be contrary to or in violation of Sections 33-1202 and/or 33-1208, Idaho Code.

Petitions

Petitions to be allowed to deviate from institutional policies require submission of an Idaho State University Undergraduate Student Petition and appropriate supporting documentation (See the Petition Policies stated elsewhere in the Catalog). Petitions to be allowed to deviate from College of Education policies and requirements require submission of an Internal College of Education Petition with supporting documentation. Internal petitions are initiated with an advisor or course instructor on forms available from the College of Education website and the Advising Center. For petitions involving teacher education requirements, an Education Advisor from the Advising Center will review the petition, provide a recommendation, and sign the petition. Petitions also require the signature and the recommendation of the appropriate program major advisor, program coordinator, or department chair. Internal petitions are approved or denied by the Associate Dean (or Dean) of the College of Education. A copy of the petition is retained by the College of Education in the candidate’s official file. If additional action is required, approved petitions are advanced to the Registrar’s Office.