2007-2008 Grace University Catalog

Teacher Education Program

Faculty:
Susan E. Alford, M.S. Program Director
Jon G. Hood, M.S.
Michelle L. Lundgren, Ed.D.

  • Program Description
  • Teacher Certificate and Endorsement Areas
  • Teacher Education Philosophy and Objectives
  • Policy on Human Relations and Multicultural Education
  • Teacher Education Program Admissions Requirements
        • Mental and Emotional Incapacity Disqualification from Admission
        • Nebraska Felony and Misdemeanor Policy
  • Acceptance of Transfer Credit
  • Readmission and Program Retention
  • Admission to Student Teaching
        •Program Length
        •Teacher Education Program Requirements

This program is designed for students who desire to teach in public schools or private schools. Because of the growing Christian school movement and its need for teachers who have developed a Christian philosophy of education and have integrated their knowledge of the Bible with professional and general knowledge subjects, Grace University launched this program in 1998. Grace also recognized that qualified Christians can have a significant impact on society by serving as educators in public settings as well as other educational settings such as private sectarian or religious schools.

The Teacher Education program offers a Bachelor of Science degree with dual majors in Bible and Teacher Education. The program has standard approval status with the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE). The goal of the program is to prepare educators in defined areas of endorsement who meet the certification requirements of the Nebraska Department of Education as well as the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).

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Teacher Certificate and Endorsement Areas

The State of Nebraska requires that professional educators in Nebraska public and private school systems hold a valid teaching certificate from the Nebraska Department of Education. Each certificate indicates one or more endorsement areas. There are several different categories of certificates and endorsements. Of primary importance to individuals considering a career in teacher education are the types of endorsements available. These endorsements include:

• Field
  Field means two or more subjects, which considered as a single area of study, represents a wider or broader scope than that of a subject.
• Subject
  Subject means a specific course or narrow range of courses taught and offered in a school.
• Administrative
  Administrative is supervisory in nature; endorsements such as a curriculum director, principal, or superintendent are within this category.
• Supplemental
  Supplemental means an endorsement that exists by itself on a certificate but is added to a certificate only in the presence of other endorsements.
• Special Services Counseling
  Special Services Counseling means endorsements in areas of specialization such as speech pathologists, school nurse, and school psychologist.

Grace University’s Teacher Education program is designed to meet endorsement requirements in the following areas:

Field Endorsements:
                Elementary Education/ESL (K-6)
                Mathematics (7-12)
                Middle School/ESL (4-9)
                Music (K-12)
                Social Science (7-12)

Subject Endorsements:
                Basic Business (7-12)
                English (7-12)
                History (7-12)
                Instrumental Music (K-6) or (7-12)
                Religious Education (K-12)
                Vocal Music (K-6) or (7-12)

Supplemental Endorsements:
                Coaching (7-12)
                English as a Second Language (K-12) ‘

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Teacher Education Philosophy and Objectives

In order to maintain the highest standards in competency for our graduates, the Grace University Teacher Education Program is designed as a competency-based, portfolio-oriented professional teacher education program. By this, we mean that satisfactory completion of a set of courses will not automatically mean the graduate is qualified for teacher certification. Grace University requires that each professional educator demonstrate competency within the appropriate endorsement requirements, and evidence of that competency (as defined by the Teacher Education faculty) must be included in the graduate’s portfolio for review prior to the University’s Certification Officer submitting appropriate paperwork to the Nebraska Department of Education and the Association of Christian Schools International for appropriate certification. Program objectives and requirements are derived from principles established by the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC), the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) requirements as specified in 92 NAC 20-24, and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) requirements for teacher certification.

The educational objectives for the Teacher Education program are as follows. Students who complete the program should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of and appreciation of the philosophy, history, and operation of the private and public school, especially of the private Christian school.
2. Demonstrate proficiency in the subject areas in which one will be instructing students.
3. Show familiarity with current curriculum, methods, and materials essential for a new teacher within the scope of the teacher’s endorsement area.
4. Demonstrate the necessary teaching strategies and skills, management techniques, and personal attitudes normally expected of a successful new teacher consistent with the 10 Principles of Assessment established by INTASC.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of, a concern for, and a desire to teach students.
6. Fulfill the objectives of the Biblical Studies Division.
7. Fulfill the objectives of the General Education Division.

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Policy on Human Relations and Multicultural Education

Grace University is committed to preparing teachers to serve effectively in cross-cultural and multi-cultural settings with the United Stares and around the world. Critical to this preparation for new teachers is (1) an understanding of human relations in our pluralistic world, (2) an understanding of personal and cultural biases, and (3) an understanding of how human biases impact a community and its educational processes. In this context and consistent with the institution’s mission, Grace is committed to multi-ethnic and cross-cultural educational opportunities welcoming normally acceptable diversity. This program is therefore open to Christians without regard to race, color, ethnic origin, disability, or socioeconomic status, and seeks to maintain compliance with Nebraska law.

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Teacher Education Program Admissions Requirements

In addition to general University admission requirements, the Teacher Education Program has five additional program admissions requirements pursuant to 92 NAC 23. These additional requirements are:

1. Overall grade point average of a least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale with at least 30 semester hours attempted. A “C” or above must be earned in all professional coursework.
2. Minimum acceptable scores on the basic skills test approved by the Nebraska Department of Education(Praxis I). The acceptable test is the Pre Professional Skills Test (PPST). Satisfactory scores for the PPST include a 170 on the reading component, 171 on the mathematics component, and 172 on the writing component.
3. Recommendations by two faculty members who are in a position to assess the student’s potential as a prospective teacher.
4. Evidence of proficiency in English and Mathematics as indicated by a grade of “C” or above in college level courses or scores at or above the fiftieth percentile on the English or Mathematics sections of the ACT.
5. Ninety-two NAC 20 requires that the following regulations and appeal process be in effect:

Nebraska Felony and Misdemeanor Policy

All teacher education institutions shall require the prospective student teacher to affirm under oath that he or she has no felony convictions of any kind nor any misdemeanor convictions involving abuse, neglect, or sexual misconduct.

A person with a conviction as indicated in the rule shall not be allowed to participate in pre-student teaching field, laboratory, and classroom experiences, or student teaching without approval by the Commissioner or the Board.

The affirmation under oath that the student has no felony convictions or any misdemeanors involving abuse, neglect, or sexual misconduct must be established in the student file prior to participation in any pre-student teaching field, laboratory, and classroom experiences, or student teaching.

In compliance with this rule, the following Grace University policies are in effect:

    •  No student will be allowed to participate in pre-student teaching field, laboratory, and classroom experiences, or student teach until a notarized oath as described in the teacher education handbook has been presented to the program director.

    •  No student will be admitted into the teacher education program until all five of the criteria for program admission are fulfilled.

After consideration by the Teacher Education Committee, the applicant will be approved or disapproved for admission to the Teacher Education program. Approved applicants and their advisors will be notified by letter from the Teacher Education Committee. Applicants not approved for admission to the Teacher Education program and their advisors will be notified of the reasons for disapproval by the committee. Applicants may appeal the decision of the committee before the University’s Dean Council.

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Mental and Emotional Incapacity Disqualification from Admission

Any person who has been determined to have a mental or emotional incapacity to practice the profession as evidenced by a legal adjudication or determination thereof or by other lawful means are denied certification by the Department of Education and are not allowed to practice in pre-student teaching field, laboratory, or classroom experiences, or student teach. Appropriate evidence to determine emotional or mental capacity is as follows:

    • The person, at the time of consideration for admission into the teacher education program, is disqualified by a declaration or order or a mental health board in this state, or by a similar finding by a similar body in another state.

    • The person, at the time of consideration for admission into the teacher education program, is disqualified when a mental health professional qualified under the laws, rules, and regulations of this state has determined that that the person has a significant mental illness or emotional impairment and is an inpatient or resident in a facility for mentally ill individuals, or a similar determination has been made by similarly qualified mental health professionals in another state.

    • The person, at the time of consideration for admission into the teacher education program, is disqualified when a court has declared the individual mentally incompetent in regard to standing trial for a criminal charge, or has been found by a court to have recovered from such incompetence in this state or another state.

    • The person, at the time of consideration for admission into the teacher education program, is disqualified when he/she has been acquitted of a criminal charge on the basis of a finding of insanity in this state or another state unless a court, subsequent to the acquittal, has found the person not dangerous to himself, herself, or others and has released the person from court ordered treatment.

    • The person, at the time of consideration for admission into the teacher education program is disqualified when a court has appointed a conservator or made other protective order(s) due to a court’s finding that the individual is unable to manage his/her property or property affairs effectively for reasons of (a) mental illness, (b) mental deficiency, (c) chronic use of drugs, or (d) chronic intoxication in this state or another state and no court order has been entered that the disability has ceased.

Acceptance of Transfer Credit

All students transferring into the Teacher Education program must (1) complete at least 30 semester hours at Grace University, (2) be classified as a “senior” for at least one semester, (3) satisfactorily complete student teaching under supervision of Grace University faculty, and (4) meet all program requirements in order to graduate from the Teacher Education program.

Students who (1) transfer 60 or more semester hours from other approved institutions (meeting teacher education program standards of the Nebraska Department of Education within Nebraska or meeting teacher education program standards established by another state), (2) meet GPA requirements, (3) meet all regular University admissions requirements, and (4) comply with the Nebraska Felony and Misdemeanor Policy may enroll in upper division Teacher Education courses during their first semester at Grace only with the permission of the Teacher Education Program Director.

Transfer students must (1) apply for admission into the program, (2) meet all program admission requirements, and (3) be admitted into the Teacher Education program before enrolling in additional Teacher Education courses beyond the first semester. Transfer students should discuss their specific needs with the Program Director.

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Readmission and Program Retention

If a student who has been admitted to the Teacher Education program is suspended from the University he/she automatically is removed from the Teacher Education program. If he/she should later be readmitted to the University it is necessary for him/her to re-apply for admission to the Teacher Education program should he/she desire to pursue the Teacher Education program again. While basic skills test scores need not be resubmitted, if the student’s enrollment lapses more than 365 days, it will be necessary for the student to submit a new affirmation statement regarding the felony and misdemeanor policy. Student progress is reviewed each semester to guarantee that all students who have been admitted to the program continue to maintain the standards set at entry. If a student falls below the admission standard, or in other ways demonstrates unprofessional behavior as identified by the Teacher Education faculty, the student will be informed by the Teacher Education Program Director that he/she is being withdrawn from the program. The student may appeal this decision to the Dean’s Council. If the student is removed from the Teacher Education program for any reason, it is necessary for him/her to re-apply for admission to the program.

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Admission to Student Teaching

Students preparing for their student teaching experience must submit an application for student teaching two semesters prior to the student teaching term. To be eligible to enter student teaching, students must meet the following requirements:

1. The student must have official notification of acceptance into the Teacher Education program.
2. The student must have an overall grade point average of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale. All professional coursework must be a “C” or above.
3. The student must have a minimum of 30 hours of credit at Grace University.
4. The student must have successfully completed all practicum requirements prior to the student teaching experience.
5. Elementary Education Endorsement students must take the Praxis II test, "Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment." Date for administration of this test is posted on the University Calendar.

Program Length

Students scheduling course work in any endorsement area should consult the Teacher Education handbook with an assigned faculty advisor. While a theoretical schedule is designed to demonstrate completion in four years, the Teacher Education faculty recommends course work completion in four years with the student teacher experience following. Some individuals may desire a slower pace in order to maintain GPA requirements, enroll in additional elective courses, or spend time in extra-curricular activities at the University. Furthermore, in considering time commitments for any endorsement at Grace, it is important to remember that in addition to meeting normal field endorsement requirements, every graduate also meets the requirements for a Nebraska Department of Education endorsement in religious education and meets the requirements for ACSI teacher certification.

Teacher Education Program Requirements

Listed on the following pages are the Teacher Education program requirements and specific endorsement area requirements offered by Grace University designed to meet Nebraska Department of Education, Association of Christian Schools International, and Grace University academic requirements.