ADMISSION TO THE IWU TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM

Elementary, Secondary, and Music Education Candidates

Prospective Teacher Education candidates must:

• Be enrolled at IWU and considered in good standing, that is, maintaining a gpa of 2.0 or higher. Students on academic probation will not be admitted.
• Attend at least one Teacher Education information meeting, held at the start of registration advising week each semester. Requirements, policies and procedures are reviewed at this meeting, and students have the opportunity to have their questions answered.
• Complete an application to the Teacher Education Program.
• Submit declaration of major form to the Registrar’s office, once the decision to apply has been made. Elementary education candidates declare a major in Educational Studies. Secondary education candidates declare a major in an approved subject area of their choice. Music education candidates declare a major in music education.
• Demonstrate professional dispositions and sound physical, psychological and emotional health.
• Be free of specified felony convictions. (Illinois law does not allow a school board to employ anyone who has been convicted of committing or attempting to commit certain felonies, which include drug and sex related matters.)

Phases and Requirements

I. Acceptance to the University

Any student in “good standing” at IWU may enroll in Studying Children and Adolescents (Educ 255), or Foundations of Education (Educ 225), or Foundations and Principles of Teaching Music 132 (Music Education Candidates).

II. Acceptance into the Teacher Education Program (TEP)

• Students should submit their applications in April of the sophomore year, or after completing Educ 225 and 255 (elementary, secondary, and foreign language candidates), or Music 132 and techniques courses (Music Education candidates).
• Acceptance to the TEP is a prerequisite for enrollment in upper level Music Education and Educational Studies curriculum courses (303, 315, 325, 335, 360 & 362).
• Acceptance into the TEP means that students have demonstrated academic competence, and the professional dispositions required by ISBE.
• Teacher Education Committee approval is required only for borderline or other questionable applications. In this case, the application will be reviewed by a subcommittee of TEC, who will make a recommendation to the committee as a whole.

Requirements:

• Attendance at department information meeting by the end of the sophomore year.
• Completed application, including signature indicating student has read and understood the Teacher Education Handbook.
• Passing score on ISBE Basic Skills Test.
• Minimum cumulative gpa of 2.75.

Elementary and secondary candidates must:

• Complete Studying Children and Adolescents (Educ 255) and Foundations of Education (Educ 225).
• Major gpa of 2.75.
• Educational Studies gpa of 2.75 (no D’s).
• Secondary and foreign language certification candidates must have completed two courses in the major.

Music Education candidates must:

• Complete Music 132.
• Pass all portions of the Upper Division Interview (Note: passing the UDI is necessary but not sufficient for acceptance).
• Obtain a professional education gpa (no D’s) and music major gpa of 2.75.

III. Declaration of Intent to Student Teach (September, junior year)
• Permits enrollment in upper level Educational Studies courses, or Music 332 and 333 courses.

Requirements:

• Satisfactory Intent to Student Teach form and essay (available 146 CLA).
• Satisfactory field evaluations from 200 level coursework in all programs.
• Satisfactory review of progress toward criteria for acceptance to student teaching.

IV. Acceptance for Student Teaching (May, junior year)

• A minimum of 100 hours of documented, supervised field experience.
• Demonstrated professionalism in the field, with respect to field experience expectations and the knowledge and proficiencies outlined in the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards, particularly Standard 9, Reflection and Professional Growth, and Standard 10, Professional Conduct.
• Completion of upper level curriculum and instruction courses.
• Educational Studies or Professional Music Education gpa of 3.0 (no D’s).
• Cumulative and major gpa of 3.00.
• Verification of negative TB test by the end of spring semester, junior year.
• Advisor recommendation.
• No incomplete grades.
• Pass ISBE Content Area Test.
• Secondary and foreign language candidates must have completed at least six courses in the major.
• Music Education candidates must complete Music 332, 333, and 334 and 4 of 5 music            techniques courses.

Teacher Education Committee (TEC) approval is required only for questionable cases and student petitions. See “Ongoing Status Review,” below.

Recommendation for Certification (May, or December following senior year)

• Completion of student teaching with no less than a B.
• Issues in Educational Research and Practice (Educ 401) (elementary, secondary, and foreign language candidates).
• Completion of Information Technology requirements.
• Minimum Senior Portfolio grade of C.
• Cooperating teacher recommendation.
•  IWU Supervisor recommendation.
• Seminar professor recommendation.
• Completion of ISBE certification and IWU graduation requirements.