Retention in Teacher Education

Criteria for retention in Teacher Education

• Teacher Education candidates must maintain cumulative grade point averages of at least 2.5 in all courses in the Teacher Education core, the teaching major(s), or minor(s) and overall. The candidate must receive at least a "C" grade in every course of the Teacher Education core and methods courses that require admission to Teacher Education. A grade below a "C" in a Teacher Education core course that does not require admission to teacher education may not place a candidate on probation but prior to student teaching candidates must obtain a grade of not less than a "C" in all core courses. At the end of each semester grades will be reviewed and if the stated conditions are not met the candidate is placed on probation. This probation must be remedied by the end of the semester or the candidate is automatically dropped from Teacher Education. A candidate on probation will not be allowed to student teach.

• The candidate must meet any additional departmental requirements. Students are requested to check with their advisors concerning any additional departmental requirements.

• The candidate is expected to demonstrate the dispositions of a good teacher throughout the program by being: motivated/dedicated, responsible, resourceful, caring/sensitive, open minded, poised, ethical and collegial (collaborative/cooperative). Candidates who display inappropriate dispositions are to be reported by faculty or field based supervisors. Prior to filing the report faculty would be expected to discuss their concerns about the candidate's disposition with the candidate. If discussion of the concern does not remedy the problem then an inappropriate dispositions report is filed. Both the candidate and reporting person should sign the report. If the candidate is unavailable (eg. due to excessive absences) the report may be filed without the candidate's signature. The written report is filed with the Chair of Teacher Education and Human Performance who will forward copies to the candidate's advisor or department Chair. The form will describe the inappropriate disposition or behavior and also indicate the level of urgency in remedying the situation. Any report of inappropriate dispositions will require that the reporting faculty member be notified of an advisor/candidate action plan to remedy the concerns. In the case of multiple reports of inappropriate dispositions or an egregious incident the candidate will be required to meet with the Teacher Education Administrative Council (TEAC) which will determine what action needs to be taken. Action may include an advisor/candidate plan to remedy concerns, probation with a plan to remedy concerns, or removal from the program. In the event of multiple reports or an egregious incident a "plan follow through" report must be filed with TEAC prior to recommendation for licensure.

• The candidate must maintain continuous enrollment. Candidates who are not enrolled at the university for more than two consecutive semesters (excluding summer semesters) will be dropped from Teacher Education and must be re-admitted to Teacher Education before proceeding with any coursework requiring admission to Teacher Education.