DIVISION OF

EDUCATION

(SYMBOL: ED)

Bricker, Davis, Gale, Lamborn, Van Thiel (chair)

The mission of the Division of Education is to develop teachers who are skilled professionals and reflective decision makers while exhibiting Christ-like characteristics.

The Education Division offers experiences and courses designed to provide professional preparation for students who plan to teach in public or private (including Christian) schools. The Division is committed to preparing competent teachers to work with all learners in a multicultural society of diverse learners. The programs of the Division are approved by the Arkansas State Department of Education and are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the foremost accrediting agency for teacher education in the United States [http://ncate.org], phone (202) 466-7496. Successful completion of an Education Program at John Brown University prepares candidates for an initial license in the State of Arkansas. Candidates who plan to teach in states other than Arkansas should transfer the Arkansas licensure and meet any specific licensure requirements of the states where they expect to teach. The majority of states have reciprocity with Arkansas, which means licensure officials in these states will automatically grant initial license to individuals transferring their initial/standard Arkansas license.

The university's Education Programs are significantly enhanced through an active partnership of shared decision making with the Siloam Springs School District and the community. The Professional Development School partnership provides for the simultaneous support and renewal of both teacher preparation and the P-12 programs of the school district. Beginning in their sophomore year, candidates actively participate in local preschools and in the P-12 classrooms of the school district, where they provide valuable assistance to preschool and P-12 programs. At the same time, experienced teachers in the schools serve as clinical faculty providing important practical experiences and instruction for the candidates.

The Education Division, in keeping with the overall goals of the university, expects graduates to demonstrate the following broad learner outcomes based on the Pathwise Performance Standards used with the Praxis Series of Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers. The Pathwise outcomes adopted by the Education Division include:

Domain A: (Pathwise) Proficiency in organizing content knowledge for differentiated, optimum learning for all students.

Domain B: (Pathwise) Multiple ways to create physically and emotionally safe diverse environments with optimum learning for all students.

Domain C: (Pathwise) Consistent, skilled implementation of teaching methodologies and strategies with optimum learning for all students.

Domain D: (Pathwise) Teacher professionalism exhibited through reflective practice and partnering with colleagues and parents/guardians.

NOTE: John Brown University candidates wishing to take professional education and major field courses off campus or through correspondence must obtain, in advance, written permission from the Division Chair and the registrar's office.

PROGRESSION WITHIN THE EDUCATION PROGRAM

Candidates for a teaching license are expected to carefully plan their academic programs beginning in their freshman year and to have their plan approved by an education advisor. Candidates are required to maintain a portfolio in order to pass through four "Gates." The following sequence and policies are applicable to all levels and fields of licensure:

1. Gate One: Assistant Level. Admission to courses requiring Gate One and field experience. Specific requirements include the following:

a. Meet minimum JBU requirements for ACT/SAT scores: ACT=20, SAT=950.

b. Successfully complete designated portfolio requirements before registering for education classes requiring Gate One.

c. Permission to release personal information to be used in appropriate situations to school personnel.

2. Gate Two: Associate Level. Admission to courses requiring Gate Two. Specific requirements for admission include the following:

a. A 2.5 cumulative grade-point average in the courses required for the JBU Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.E.) Program.

b. Completion of the required English, math, and speech courses with a grade of 'C/2.0' or better in each. (Exception: candidates for the ECE Program will take ED 3121: ECE Educational Communications in lieu of the speech course before internship. A grade of 'C/2.0' or better must be attained in this course.)

c. Completion of ED 1114: Educational Foundations and Technology, with a grade of 'C/2.0' or better.

d. Praxis I (PPST) scores which meet the state minimum requirements in reading, writing, and mathematics (reading-174, math-174, writing-173). Information and test administration schedules are available on the Educational Testing Service (ETS) web site [www.ets.org]. Costs are the responsibility of the candidate. Candidates whose scores do not meet the JBU Praxis I minimums must submit an approved Professional Development Plan to improve these basic skills, or may meet the JBU cut-off scores by retaking the appropriate Praxis I test(s).

e. Formal approval of the teacher candidate's portfolio by the education advisor before registration for education classes requiring Gate Two.

3. Formal admission:

a. A 2.7 cumulative grade point average.

b. Passed JBU Praxis I scores (reading-174, math-174, writing-176) or completed Professional Development Plan with state cut off.

c. Passed Gates One and Two.

d. Approved by Education Division and PDS Advisory Committee.

4. Continuation in the program. Candidates must maintain the 2.7 grade-point standard throughout the program and demonstrate commitment to professional growth. A candidate failing to maintain these requirements will be placed on divisional probation and must meet the conditions of a Professional Development Plan specified by the Division, or admission will be rescinded.

5. Gate Three: Internship. Internship is normally taken during the senior year. Prior to registration for internship, candidates must meet the following requirements:

a. Submission of a formal application (and corresponding paperwork) by the specified date during the semester prior to internship. (Application forms and dates for submission are sent via the Education Office.)

b. Completion of specified prerequisites (see course descriptions for internships).

c. Completion of a minimum of 70% of required Teaching Field courses.

d. A 2.7 or higher cumulative grade-point average.

e. A 2.5 or higher cumulative grade-point average in Teaching Field courses, with a minimum grade of 'C/2.0' in each.

f. A 2.5 or higher cumulative grade-point average in all Professional Education courses completed, with a minimum grade of 'C/2.0' in each.

g. Completion of CPR/First Aid certification (age appropriate) before beginning internship.

h. Formal approval of the Gate Three portfolio which includes an interview by Siloam Springs Public School and Education faculty.

i. Praxis II Series - (Documentation of passing the Praxis II Content Knowledge and having registered for Praxis II Pedagogy.) All candidates are required to take the Educational Testing Service Praxis II Series consisting of professional and teaching field tests related to each area in which the candidates are seeking to be licensed. The examination is required for licensure and a report of scores must be sent to the Education Division and the Arkansas State Department of Education. The "Detailed Information" portion of the Praxis II are kept on file for the purpose of analysis of candidates' needs. Costs are the responsibility of the candidate.

Due to the nature of the internship (a full-time responsibility) candidates are not to be concurrently enrolled for other course work (including correspondence or online courses). Athletes, choir members, etc., are not permitted to schedule internship during a semester of participation in a sport or other activity which would interfere with this capstone professional experience. Other responsibilities (work, leadership, and required involvement) may not exceed 10 hours and may not conflict with school responsibilities.

6. Gate Four: Graduation requirement.

a. Satisfaction of all graduation requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.E.) or Bachelor of Music Education (B.Mus.Ed.) programs.

b. Recommendation by the Division upon completion of an Internship experience.

c. Approval of professional portfolio, which must include evidence of passing Content Knowledge and taking Pedagogy Praxis II exams (i.e., registration form, ETS exam score report).

d. A 2.7 cumulative grade-point average.

e. A 2.5 in Teaching field requirements, with a grade of 'C/2.0' or higher in each course.

f. A 2.5 in Professional Education courses, with a grade of 'C/2.0' or higher in each course.

7. Program completion and eligibility for an initial license.

a. Graduation.

b. Evidence of meeting all Arkansas qualifying scores on the Praxis II Series for licensure.

Endorsement Options:

1. TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Endorsement for all licenses:

ED 3563 Second Language Acquisition for Teachers

ED 3583 Curriculum and Instruction: TESOL

EGL 3363 Advanced English Grammar

ICS 2113 Intercultural Communications

2. Early Childhood Education - 5th/6th Endorsement for P-4 license:

English/Social Studies:

ED 4563 Curriculum and Instruction: Middle School

EGL 3363 Advanced English Grammar

EGL 2393 Advanced Composition

One of the following:

HST 2113 U.S. History to 1865

HST 2123 U.S. History since 1865

Math/Science:

ED 4563 Curriculum and Instruction: Middle School

GSC 1143 Earth Science

MTH 1113 College Algebra

MTH 1123 Survey of Calculus

NOTE: In order to receive the TESOL or 5th/6th Endorsement, candidate must maintain a grade of "C" (2.0) or better in the courses.

Education Minor

The Education Division offers an Education minor. Though the minor is not recognized for teacher licensure, the package of course work does provide a strong educational background for whatever teaching one may encounter: internationally, at the university level, in a non-traditional program, or in any career which would involve teaching others.

Content areas other than English, mathematics, or social studies must be approved by the Division of Education.

Required Courses - 18 hours

ED 2113 Human Growth and Development

ED 2133 Educational Psychology

ED 2713 Differentiated Learning

ED 3153 Reading in the Content Areas

ED 3183 Educational Assessment

ED 4652 Curriculum and Instruction: Secondary General Methods

One of the following:

ED 4661 Curriculum and Instruction: Secondary English Pedagogy

ED 4671 Curriculum and Instruction: Secondary Mathematics Pedagogy

ED 4691 Curriculum and Instruction: Secondary Social Studies Pedagogy

ED 4901 Selected Topics

As students progress through the education courses, they will be required to fulfill each of the following:

1. Pass the JBU Praxis I tests in reading, writing, and mathematics.

2. Pass field experience as specified within certain education courses.

3. Pass modified Gates One, Two and Three.

4. Pass the Praxis II Content tests before enrolling in ED 4652.

Transfer Students

The credentials of students transferring from an accredited college or university will be evaluated by the registrar's office and by the chair of the Education Division for appropriate placement. Transfer students or JBU students transferring from another major may take restricted Professional Education courses their first semester with the approval of the education advisor. All exceptions required due to transfer or change of major will be submitted to the Division within the first semester for approval. All students transferring to Education will be expected to complete all program requirements in effect at the time of the transfer. Candidates must complete all four Gate requirements in effect at the time of transfer.

Transfers from another college or university must spend a minimum of two semesters before application for internship. Transfers to Early Childhood Education (P-4) must successfully complete the JBU Education Spring Block II semester courses as one of the two semesters. Transfers to Secondary Education must successfully complete Reading in the Content Area, Curriculum and Instruction: Secondary General Methods courses and content specific pedagogy courses during the required semesters.