Admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP)

TEP Admission Requirements*

Admission to the TEP is a prerequisite for enrollment in upper level professional education curriculum courses.

• Mandated reporter certificate of completion and the CANTS 22:Acknowledgment of Mandated Reporter Status Form submitted to the Assistant Director of Teacher Licensure.
• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75.
• Minimum professional education grade point average of 2.85.
• Completion of four courses in the content area major with a minimum major grade point average of 2.75 (secondary and music programs).
• All grades are a C- or higher in any professional education course.
• Satisfactory field performance and documented field hours.
• Demonstrated dispositions of reflection, resourcefulness, and responsiveness.
• Passing score on TEP Application Essay.
• Passing score on Admissions Interview (Elementary and Secondary candidates).
• Passing score on all portions of the Upper Division Interview (Music education candidates).
• Demonstrated adherence to the Illinois Educator Code of Ethics .
• Sound physical, psychological and emotional health.
• No 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.
• Creation of an Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) account for the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). ***must match this exact name and SS# when in the future junior year set-up of ILTS content test account***

*Students on academic probation will not be admitted and may not enroll in upper level professional education courses. Denied or deferred students may reapply to the TEP.

Reapplication to the Teacher Education Program or Student Teaching

Students who are deferred or denied application to the Teacher Education Program or student teaching may reapply no sooner than one semester after the original application date; program requirements must be met at that time. You must submit a reapplication form (see Teaching Titans Canvas).

Student Teaching

The status of all candidates is reviewed at the end of the semester prior to student teaching to determine acceptance to student teaching. Successful completion of required coursework prior to student teaching does not in itself permit one to student teach. Students planning to student teach must meet all requirements specified below:

• Minimum of 100 hours of documented, supervised and satisfactory field experience.
• Successful completion of required upper level professional education courses.
• Demonstrated dispositions of reflection, resourcefulness, and responsiveness.
• Demonstrated adherence to the Illinois Educator Code of Ethics.
• Demonstrate understanding and guided by the Illinois Professional Educator Standards (IPES) and Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards (CRTL).
• Sound physical, psychological and emotional health.
• All grades are a C- or higher in any professional education course intended to meet licensure requirements, regardless of gpa.
• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00.
• Minimum professional education grade point average of 3.00.
• Minimum major grade point average of 3.00 (secondary and music candidates programs).
• Six courses in your major (secondary programs).
• Completion of criminal history information checks and student teaching paperwork per district policy.
• Major advisor/department recommendation.
• No incomplete grades.
• Passing score content exam logged in your ELIS account before student teaching.

Recommendation for Teacher Licensure

See the licensure and entitlement page for more information.

• Completion of student teaching with a minimum average score of 2.8 on the final evaluation, and no category scores of “1” regardless of summative score.
• Completion of Educ 498: Educational Inquiry with a minimum grade of C- (elementary/secondary candidates).
• Final cumulative, major and professional education grade point average of 3.00.
• All grades are C- or higher in any course intended to meet licensure requirements, regardless of gpa.
• Educational Studies or Music Education Department recommendation.

 

TEP Application Check List (Utilize Teaching Titans Canvas for specifics)

Step 1: Create a mandatory Educator Licensure Information (ELIS) account on the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) website. Link to create ELIS account - store your Login name, password, and the unique IEIN number that you receive in a safe place

Step 2: Complete a TEP Application and Student Teaching Agreement

Step 3: Write a TEP Application Essay

Step 4: Create & Submit a Resume for Student Teaching I

Step 5: Prepare for the TEP Admission Interview

 

 

Status Outcomes

You will be notified in writing of your program status. Your TEP program application and student teaching review will result in one of following outcomes: Acceptance; Conditional Status; Deferred Status; Probation; or Denial. Note: student status is reviewed each semester. 

 Program Acceptance 

You have met all requirements for program admission. You may enroll in the next sequence of upper level teacher education coursework. Your status will continue to be assessed each semester.

Conditional Status

Conditional Teacher Education Program admission status may be granted when any one requirement for admission is not met, including dispositional, field performance, creation of an ELIS account, and essay requirements. 

Conditional status may be granted when the candidate makes a compelling case explaining past performance, has a strong recommendation from a faculty member in the major department, develops a plan for remediation in consultation with faculty, and/or shows promise for improved performance.

Conditional status is also granted pending a successful rewrite of the TEP application essay. No conditional status applies to student teaching acceptance. Candidates notified of conditional status must meet the conditions specified for admission to the TEP within one semester in order to proceed with upper level professional education coursework. Conditional status allows you to continue enrollment in professional education courses.

Deferred Status

A decision regarding admission to the TEP or student teaching may be deferred when a candidate fails to meet one or more requirements. Deferral provides the candidate time to remediate any deficiencies in program requirements and reapply to the program. Deferred status prohibits candidates from enrolling in upper level professional education coursework, and may result in a ninth semester to complete the program. Applicants who reapply and are subsequently denied admission will be referred to their academic advisors to plan an alternative academic program.

Probation (Music Education Candidates only)

If a music candidate is deficient on any portion of the upper division exam, a remedial plan will be devised (by the MTAC in consultation with the Director of the School of Music) and one semester of probation (fall, junior year) may be granted (see TEP Handbook for more information). Students may enroll in Music 332 and Music 333a during the probationary semester. If significant progress has not occurred at the end of the probationary semester, which will be determined by a second (and final) examination and interview, the candidate will not be permitted to enroll in Music 333b, 497a, or 427, and a change of major will be recommended.

Program Denial

Applicants are denied admission when one or more program requirement is not met. Denial prohibits enrollment in the next sequence of upper level professional education coursework. Consult with your advisor to plan an alternative academic program. You may reapply to the program when evidence of having met all acceptance criteria is presented. The Teacher Education Committee (TEC) or Music Teacher Advisory Committee (MTAC) reviews student petitions submitted in the case of denial.

Ongoing Status Review

A candidate may be suspended or directed to withdraw from the Teacher Education Program without qualification, under the following circumstances:

• Grade point average(s) dropping below the required levels during any phase of the program.
• Failure to demonstrate expected professional behavior and dispositions in the field.
• A criminal or felony conviction.
• Violation of the Illinois Educator Code of Ethics.
• Evidence of problematic physical, psychological, or emotional health which interferes with one’s ability to meet program and professional expectations, and which cannot be alleviated through reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA).
• Other circumstances occur which make a candidate ineligible for licensure.

The Educational Studies Department or the Teacher Education Committee (TEC) also may decide, upon review of your case, to grant conditional status with the development of a specific remedial plan.

Candidates wishing to appeal decisions regarding admission, retention, and licensure, or who have other grievances relating to the Teacher Education Program should first meet with the Chair of the Educational Studies Department or the Head of Music Education to discuss the appeal or grievance.