Idaho State University has an institutional commitment to the preparation of teachers. This commitment is carried out by the faculties of the College of Education and the College of Arts and Sciences, working in close cooperation through the Teacher Education Committee. This committee represents the subject and professional aspects of teacher education and is a sub-committee of the university's Curriculum Council.
The objectives of Idaho State University are designed to insure that graduates in teacher education:
1. Have developed abilities in the following areas:
b. The ability to think clearly, critically, and logically.
c. An understanding of the past, the ability to evaluate the present, and the capacity to deal intelligently with the future.
d. The ability to understand and apply the basic concepts of science to relevant problems of society.
e. The ability to comprehend and make practical use of the basic facts of mental and physical health.
f. Experience in understanding of, and appreciation for, the fine arts.
g. A knowledge of the basic moral, philosophical, and religious systems of the world.
3. Have a broad understanding of and sensitivity to the individual learner, to his/her role in social groups, and to the conditions under which maximum learning occurs.
4. Are able to provide opportunities for appropriate learning experiences through the selection, organization, and employment of a variety of instructional methods and materials.
5. Have addressed themselves to an understanding of their self-concepts, including their roles as teachers and their responsibilities to their profession and to society.
Review procedures have been established for admission and retention of students in teacher education. These procedures also call for a review of each individual prior to a recommendation for certification. Copies of these standards and procedures are available from the Idaho State Department of Education and can be obtained from the College of Education Office of Standards and Assessment.
Because of the responsibility of a member of the teaching profession to the total development of young people, and notwithstanding a student's enrollment in or graduation from the College of Education, the Dean and the faculty of the College of Education reserve the right to refuse to recommend a student for a standard teaching certificate, or to admit a student to a teaching program, if such recommendation or assignment, in the discretion of the Dean and faculty of the College of Education, would appear to be contrary to or in violation of Sections 33-1202 and/or 33-1208, Idaho Code.
Full Admission to Teacher Education
Students must make formal application for admission to teacher education. Application forms are available in the Office of Clinical Experiences and Student Services in the administrative offices of the College of Education. Standards for admission are approved by the Teacher Education Committee and are implemented by the Committee on Admissions and Standards to Teacher Education, both of which are representative of subject and professional areas. Students in teacher education are under the same general probationary policy as the rest of Idaho State University as far as probation and dismissal from the institution are concerned. However, to obtain recommendation for admission to teacher education and to remain in it, certain broader criteria apply in respect to the applicant's general fitness for the teaching profession. These include (1) ability to work with and to understand children; (2) proficiency in citizenship and leadership qualities; (3) proficiency in English and other academic and professional subject matter; and (4) adequate mental and physical health. Students with deficiencies in scholarship or in any of the criteria may be withdrawn from the program.
Application for admission to teacher education is made on forms provided in the administrative offices of the College of Education following the completion of at least 24 credits hours of college work including EDUC 200, Aide Experience. Students may not register for core courses numbered 300 and above until full admittance to teacher education is achieved. Students who have been denied admittance to teacher education may reapply when deficiencies have been met. Criteria for admission include the following:
1. A 2.5 overall grade point average including any transfer credits or credits earned in a previous degree program.
2. A grade of "C" or better in ENGL 101 (English Composition) and SPCH 101 (Public Speaking).
3. Demonstration of competency in audio-visual machine skills, library skills, and computer skills OR completion of EDUC 142 (Basic Competencies: Audio-Visual, Library, Computers).
4. Presentation of minimum scores achieved on the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) (Reading = 172; Writing = 174; Mathematics = 169). Under spicial circumstances, other appropriate skills test scores may be approved by the Dean.
5. An "S" grade in EDUC 200 (Aide Experience).
6. Personal statement of interest in teaching and the teaching profession.
7. Submission of signed form indicating awareness of Idaho teacher certification requirements.
Denial of Admission to Teacher Education
Students who have been denied admittance to teacher education may reapply; however, they must meet the standards for admission in place at the time of their reapplication to attain full admission.
Richard L. Sagness, Ph.D., Director, Office of Clinical Experiences and Student Services
The senior practicum, or student teaching, is designed to be the culminating professional laboratory experience for students in teacher education. This is a professional development experience during which the student or associate teacher reconstructs and tests theory, applies it, and further develops a personal teaching style. It provides an opportunity for the associate teacher to assume major responsibility for the full range of teaching in an approved school situation under the guidance ofqualified personnel from Idaho State University and the cooperating elementary and secondary schools.
Student teaching is scheduled for a full semester and includes enrollment in EDUC 498, Student Teaching Seminar; therefore, students should not plan to enroll in any additional coursework during the student teaching semester.
Admission to Student Teaching
Application for student teaching must be filed and an interview completed with the Director of the Office of Clinical Experiences and Student Services between October 1 and November 15 for fall semester of the following year, and between February 1 and March 15 for spring semester of the following year. There is a $50 charge for late applications and interviews, a $25 charge for change of placement, and a $25 charge for re-application. Applications for all student teaching may be obtained from the Office of Clinical Experiences and Student Services in the administrative offices of the College of Education.
The application must be signed by the advisor(s) and the Director of the Office of Clinical Experiences and Student Services.
Eligibility for Student Teaching
No student will be permitted to enter student teaching courses (EDUC 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, H E 495, P E 495, LIBR 495, SPED 495, FCS 495) until the following are completed or achieved:
1. A 2.5 grade point average in four areas: overall, professional education core, major and minor (secondary), and components (elementary).
2. A grade of "C" or better in ENGL 201 (Critical Reading and Writing) or College of Education approved equivalent course.
3. Must be fully admitted to teacher education.
4. Completed application with the signatures of advisor(s) and the Director of the Office of Clinical Experiences and Student Services.
5. A grade of "C" or better in appropriate classroom instruction laboratory course(s).
6. Completion of at least 96 credits.
7. Completion of at least 8 credits of professional education core credits from Idaho State University.
Correspondence Courses
No student is permitted to enroll in a correspondence course during the semester in which he/she is studentteaching without written permission from the Director of the Office of Clinical Experiences and Student Services.
Reasonable Accommodation for Students 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 Center of Services for Students with Disabilities (236-3912). As a part of the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is the responsibility of the student to disclose a disability prior to requesting reasonable accommodation.
Teacher Education General Requirements
All students pursuing a bachelor's degree in the College of Education must fulfill the University General Education requirements. These requirements are listed in this bulletin under the title of Graduation Requirements, General Education Requirements, and Academic Regulations.
Transfer policy, alternate means to satisfy general education requirements, and general education and major field requirements as listed in the graduation requirements section of this bulletin also apply to College of Education majors.
Idaho State University Academic Information
Revised: April 12, 1996
URL http://www.isu.edu/academic-info/prev-isu-cat/ugrad96/education/teachered.html