Professional Education Unit

430 David M. French Hall
(810) 762-3260
Fax: (810) 762-3102
http://www.umflint.edu/education

Unit Head: Robert Barnett, Interim Dean of the School of Education and Human Services
Director of NCATE Accreditation: Sapna Thwaite
Director of Educational Field Experiences: Suzanne Knight
Assistant to the Chair and Coordinator for Academic Advising: Cheryl Godmar
Certification Officer: Debbie Seyerle
Graduate Programs Advisor: Rachel Biocchi
Tk 20 Unit Administrator: Angela Gooch

Secondary Teacher Certification Program Advisors:
Earth Science:  R. Repic (Note: The earth science TCP program is not currently accepting new students. Please contact the earth science TCP advisor regarding the timeline to complete the program).
English:  K. Hiramatsu, S. Knight
French: V. Trionfi
History: G. Havrilcsak
Mathematics:  K. Hansen, L. McLeman
Music: K. Salvador
Physics:  A. Grafe (Note: The physics TCP program is not currently accepting new students. Please contact the physics TCP advisor regarding the timeline to complete the program).
Psychology: M. McGrath
Social Studies: V. Morckel
Spanish: J. Lawand
Speech:  D. DeLaMare
Visual Arts: C. Wagonlander

Unit Council:  Robert Barnett, Interim Dean of the School of Education and Human Services; D. J. Trela, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Sapna Thwaite, Director of NCATE Accreditation; Sharman Siebenthal Adams, Chair of the Education Department; Krista Hansen, Associate Professor of Mathematics; Albert Price, Professor of Political Science.

Professional Education Faculty:  The faculty is comprised of those individuals from the Education Department and the College of Arts and Sciences who teach professional education content or methods courses, provide services to teacher candidates such as advising, supervise clinical experiences, or administer some portion of the unit.

The Professional Education Unit is responsible for teacher education at the University of Michigan-Flint. Its program offerings are designed to assist prospective elementary and secondary teachers in acquiring the content knowledge, pedagogical skills, and professional dispositions necessary for excellence in teaching and to meet requirements for Michigan teacher certification. Requirements for elementary and secondary teaching listed in this section of the catalog are cross-referenced in the School of Education and Human Services elementary education section and the College of Arts and Sciences secondary Teacher Certification Programs (TCP). Graduate degree programs in education are listed in the Graduate Programs section of this catalog.

All programs currently offered by the Professional Education Unit are approved by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Professional Preparation Services, P.O. Box 30008, Lansing, MI 48909, (517) 373-3310. The Unit is in the process of seeking initial accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), 2010 Massachusetts Ave NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036 , Telephone: (202) 466-7496, Fax: (202) 296-6620.

In order to maintain state approval and in seeking national accreditation, the Professional Education Unit makes mandated changes to its curriculum, as required by the state of Michigan and as necessary for ensuring excellence in teacher preparation. Students should consult the Professional Education Unit website or their advisors for the most current information about program requirements. In addition, students are expected to check their university e-mail accounts frequently for special announcements such as orientation meetings, changes in course scheduling, and other notification occurring after publication of this catalog.

Education Unit Mission

“Our mission is to guide and support the growth and development of our teacher candidates into caring educators and engaged citizens who embrace our guiding principles in their understanding of the many aspects of their roles in schools and society.”

Education Unit Vision

“…. to prepare teachers who, as socially responsible individuals, are committed to shaping classrooms, schools, and communities that are caring and student centered.”

Academic Policies and Procedures

Academic policies and procedures vary somewhat between elementary and secondary teacher preparation programs. Elementary education policies may be found in the School of Education and Human Services section of this catalog. Secondary education policies may be found in the specific department within the College of Arts and Sciences section of this Catalog. Unit wide policies can be located in the Education Unit Handbook. Undergraduate Field Policies can be located in the EDE/EDS 360 Handbook and the Student Teaching Handbook. Graduate Program policies can be located on the University Graduate Program Website.

Tk 20 – All teacher candidates are expected to use the Tk 20 data management system in courses where key assessments and field evaluations are being administered using the system. They will be provided with information regarding Tk 20 during their orientation to the program and receive training within the context of specific courses and field experiences.

MTTC- Michigan law mandates a testing program as part of Michigan’s teacher certification requirements. The examinations of the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) program, currently the only tests that satisfy the testing requirement for teacher certification in Michigan, are designed to help identify those candidates who have the level of knowledge required to perform satisfactorily as entry-level teachers in their fields of specialization. The MTTC program currently consists of subject-area tests, including the world language tests, and a Basic Skills test.

Teacher candidates are cautioned not to attempt MTTC subject-area tests too early in their academic programs. Prior to registering for these tests, they should consult with an advisor to confirm appropriate timing for testing. To improve likelihood of passing, it is strongly recommended that approximately 90% of their content area coursework be completed prior to taking the corresponding subject-area test.

Red Flag Policy- All teacher candidates will be assessed on the professional dispositions in their respective academic programs. On rare occasions, a teacher candidate may demonstrate professional weaknesses that are so severe they must be addressed before the student teaching semester. In these cases a faculty member will complete a “Red Flag” form for this teacher candidate.

Weaknesses could and do typically fall under any of the following five categories: Inadequate oral communication skills, inadequate written communication skills, indications of unprofessional behavior, breaches of professional ethics, or other circumstances that are sufficient to call into question the candidate’s ability to succeed as a professional despite adequate achievement in course work.

Except under extraordinary circumstances (such as behavior that could merit dismissal from the university), no single report of professional weakness is sufficient to impede a candidate’s progress toward graduation. A candidate who accumulates Red Flag reports from two different faculty members during the course of the teacher preparation program will be considered to have demonstrated significant professional weaknesses and will be potentially dismissed from the teacher preparation program. Candidates may appeal this decision in writing to the Student Review Panel. The decision of the appeal will be final.

Elementary Education

SECONDARY EDUCATION

Secondary Education

Secondary Education Teacher Certification Programs

The Secondary Education Teacher Certification programs are designed to prepare students to teach in the middle and high school environments. Requirements for secondary certification include coursework in education as well as in the particular major and minor content area(s). Education requirements are listed below. Content coursework requirements specific to each particular major(s) and minor(s) are listed in the various departmental sections in the College of Arts and Sciences section of this Catalog under Teacher Certificate Programs. Students should consult the appropriate departmental advisor, as listed below, for requirements within the student’s chosen content major and/or minor:

Earth Science:  R. Repic
English:  K. Hiramatsu, S. Knight
French: V. Trionfi
History:  G. Havrilcsak
Mathematics:  K. Hansen, L. McLeman
Music: K. Salvador
Physics:  A. Grafe
Psychology: M. McGrath
Social Studies:  V. Morckel
Spanish:  J. Lawand
Speech:  D. DeLaMare
Visual Arts:  C. Wagonlander

Secondary M.A.C

Secondary Certification Program (MAC) (Masters of Arts)

Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education Specialization

The program is designed for students seeking Michigan elementary education certification with an early childhood specialization.

K-12 Teacher Certificate Programs in Education

Two K-12 certificate programs are available in Visual Arts and Music Education . See the Communication and Visual Arts and Music departments’ listings in the College of Arts and Sciences section of this Catalog for specific requirements of these programs.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR TEACHER CERTIFICATION

Before they can be considered candidates for teacher certification, student must complete a written application and be admitted formally to a teacher certificate program (TCP). If a teacher education student has been away from the University for one calendar year or more, the student must reapply for admission to the teacher certificate program and must satisfy the admission and degree requirements in effect at the time of readmission.

There are two admission periods each year, in January and September.
January 1-15 - applications reviewed for Fall semester entry into EDU
September 1-15 - applications reviewed for Winter semester entry into EDU
During the admission application periods, application information will be posted on the Education Department homepage: http://www.umflint.edu/education

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION-ELEMENTARY

A. Admission to the University of Michigan-Flint
B. An overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher. The GPA will be computed using all courses which are earned at
the University of Michigan-Flint, as well as courses potentially transferrable to the University of Michigan-Flint, including
courses for which the student received a grade below “C.”
C. Completion of all courses in Phase 1 Cycle with minimum grade of B-.
D. PSY 100 and SCI 125 minimum grade of C.
E. Favorable dispositions assessments during Phase 1 Cycle
F. Mastery of Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Basic Skills.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION-SECONDARY

A. Admission to the University of Michigan-Flint
B. An overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher. The GPA will be computed using all courses which are earned at
    the University of Michigan-Flint, as well as courses potentially transferrable to the University of Michigan-Flint, including
    courses for which the student received a grade below “C.”
C. Completion of PSY 100  with a grade of “C” or higher
D. A grade point average of 2.75 or better in each major and minor teaching area; at least 18 credit hours completed in the
    major and at least 12 credit hours completed in the minor.
E. Mastery of Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Basic Skills
F. ENG 112  or EHS 120

REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETION

Students must have a 2.75 or better GPA in education courses and must maintain grade point averages specified above in order to move into Phase 2 and 3 (Elementary) or to be eligible to enter student teaching and apply for certification. At all points in the teacher certification program students must exhibit dispositions appropriate to the teaching profession and must remain in compliance with student responsibilities detailed in the “Student Rights and Responsibilities” section of this Catalog.

Any student who elects a required education course more than five years before enrolling in student teaching must take the course again OR satisfy a competency evaluation given by the instructor. This policy includes all professional education courses taken as part of the student’s certification program. Students who have been away from the University for one calendar year or more must follow the readmission guidelines noted earlier in this section.

To be eligible for student teaching, students must complete an online application and attend a mandatory first seminar meeting. The application for Fall student teaching will be available in early December. The application for Winter student teaching will be available in late April/early May. Missing the application deadline may and could result in waiting until the next application period. The dates and time for the mandatory first seminar meetings will be in August for Fall semester student teaching and in December for Winter student teaching. Failure to attend the first seminar will result in waiting until the next application period. Announcement of student teaching seminar meetings will be emailed to applicant’s university email accounts and posted on the Education Department website and bulletin board.

Prospective teachers must be of good moral character, have suitable personality traits, dispositions, and aptitude for teaching, as well as possess good physical and mental health. The Administrative Rules Governing the Certification of Michigan Teachers impose the following conditions on teacher certification:

Rule 101. “The state board may refuse to grant or renew, or may revoke or suspend for a fixed term, or may impose reasonable conditions on, a teaching certificate pursuant to these rules for the following reasons:

a) Fraud, material misrepresentation, or concealment in the application for certificate.
b) Failure or ineligibility of the applicant or certificate holder to meet the criteria for eligibility for the certificate.
c) Conviction, as an adult, of an act of immoral conduct contributing to the delinquency of a child, or of a felony involving moral turpitude.

Certificate applicants are required to sign a statement declaring that the conditions stated in Rule 101 do not apply to them and must also take the oath of allegiance as prescribed by the laws of Michigan.

RECOMMENDATION FOR A TEACHING CERTIFICATE

To be recommended for a teaching certificate, the student must:

Completed the degree requirements in a prescribed curriculum in education for the state elementary or secondary provisional certificate.
Maintain a 2.75 or better grade point average in professional education courses as well as in the teaching majors or minors.
Elementary education students must successfully meet and pass criteria set forth in Phases 1-3 (with minimum grade of B- in each course) and earn satisfactory rating in Student Teaching.
Secondary education students must achieve a grade of “Pass” in EDS 360 and earn a grade of C (2.0) or better in each of the following: EDS 300 , EDS 302 , ENG 410 /EDR 445 . Satisfactory rating in Student Teaching EDS 469 .
Candidates for an elementary teaching certificate must pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification Elementary Education Test prior to certification and may take appropriate subject area tests (Language Arts) and (Elementary Education Mathematics) if they seek additional certification in grades 6-8. Candidates for secondary teaching certificates must pass the appropriate MTTC subject area test for each subject area in which they are to be certified prior to certification. Candidates for Specialist Endorsement in Early Childhood Education must complete the program in Elementary Education and the Specialization in Early Childhood Education and passing the MTTC Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education examinations meets the requirements for Michigan elementary teaching certification with Early Childhood Specialist Endorsement.
Submit proof of completion of an advance and valid course in first aid and adult and child CPR. See list of approved providers: http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-6530_5683_14795-118868–,00.html
Applying for your teaching certificate after program completion is done online. The Michigan Department of Education has transitioned to the new Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) database. The old system was retired effective December 1, 2010. This means that teacher certification candidates who will currently complete their programs from Michigan institutions must use the new system to obtain and maintain their teaching certificate. Visit the Michigan Online Educator Certification System site for continued updates and more information on MOECS: www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-6530 5683 57223–,00.html.

CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS IN OTHER STATES

The teacher’s certificate issued by the State of Michigan is valid only in the state of Michigan. A student who plans to teach in a state other than Michigan should become fully acquainted with the certification requirements of that state.

Many states now require that the applicant pass a test before a teaching certificate is issued. For information and addresses of state departments please consult the following link:
http://education.uky.edu/AcadServ/content/50-states-certification-requirements

CERTIFICATION FOR STUDENTS HOLDING BACHELOR’S DEGREES

A student who has completed a bachelor’s degree at an approved accredited institution may meet state requirements for teacher certification without earning a second degree. Students should contact the Education Department for information concerning a coursework evaluation.

INSTITUTIONAL REPORT CARD ON THE QUALITY OF TEACHER PREPARATION FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN-FLINT

In response to the Title II – Higher Education Act, Section 207, Accountability for Programs that Prepare Teachers, the University of Michigan-Flint provides the following Institutional Report Card on the Quality of the Teacher Preparation Program.

PASS RATE

The pass rate on the State of Michigan’s Teacher Certification assessments for students who are recommended for teacher certification upon completion of a teacher education program at the University of Michigan-Flint is 100% for all certification programs. The pass rate is equal to or exceeds the pass rate for all other Michigan colleges and universities that prepare teachers.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

There are 620 students enrolled in the teacher preparation program. Students are required to complete a minimum of fourteen (14) weeks of supervised student teaching as part of the culminating program requirement. The total number of hours required is four hundred and ninety (490). The faculty-student ratio in the supervised student teacher experience is 1-10 (one full-time faculty member is responsible for supervising a maximum of 10 student teachers in supervised practice teaching).

ACCREDITATION STATEMENT

The teacher education program at the University of Michigan-Flint is approved by the Michigan Department of Education to offer programs in elementary education, early childhood education, selected secondary education programs, and selected programs that prepare teachers for teaching in all grades.

Graduate Programs in Education

The School of Education and Human Services Department of Education offers graduate programs in Early Childhood Education , Literacy (K-12) , Secondary Certification Program (MAC) (Masters of Arts) , Special Education , and Technology in Education . The College of Arts and Sciences Public Administration program offers a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Educational Leadership. A new post-master’s Education Specialist degree with specializations in leadership and curriculum is also offered. Refer to the Graduate Study section of this Catalog for details of all these programs.