2012-2013 Transition Points for Admission to, and Matriculation through, the Undergraduate Teacher Preparation Program 

FURTHER NECESSARY DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE TEACHER PREPARATION HANDBOOKS

Transition Point 1- Admission to the Teacher Preparation Program

1.  The candidate must have a 2.50 GPA on a 4.00 scale as determined by the Registrar of the University BEFORE applying for admission to the Teacher Preparation Program.
 
2. The candidate must demonstrate proficiency in all core courses taken prior to acceptance into the Teacher Preparation Program. If deficiency is detected, the candidate may be required to remediate. A minimum grade of C must be earned in all required English, Math, computer, and communications courses and in courses in the major field.

3. The candidate must have earned 30 or more semester hours of credit.

4.  The candidate must have a passing score on the GACE I - Basic Skills Assessment examination BEFORE applying for admission to the Teacher Preparation Program.

The candidate may exempt the GACE I - Basis Skills Assessment with scores on the SAT, ACT, and/or GRE, as determined by the Professional Standards Commission or by having a masters degree or above from a PSC-Accepted accredited institution.

5.  The candidate must be recommended by three professors (a faculty member outside the Department of Education, the candidate’s major advisor, and the Director of the   Teacher Preparation Program).

6. The candidate must provide proof of liability insurance by joining the SGAE or SPAGE.

7. The candidate must provide documentation of an acceptable criminal background check.

8. The candidate must accept, via personal signature, the Code of Ethics for Educators by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

9.  The candidate must provide an acceptable writing sample. After writing to the     specific prompt given to the candidate, the writing sample is evaluated by two education faculty using The Writing Sample Scoring Rubric.

10.       The candidate must complete the Application for Admission to the Teacher Preparation Program.

Transition Point 2 - Admission to Student Teaching

1. The candidate must have been admitted to the Teacher Preparation Program (Transition Point 1).

2. The candidate must have a 2.50 cumulative GPA as determined by the Registrar of the University.

3. The candidate must have a minimum grade of C in all required English, math, computer, and communications courses; in courses in the major field; in education courses; in concentration courses; and in the practicum experience.

4. The candidate must have completed all required classes prior to the semester of student teaching.

5. The candidate must provide evidence of having taken the appropriate GACE Content Assessment tests as determined by the Professional Standards Commission.

6. The candidate must have a written letter of recommendation, specifying the candidate’s strengths and areas that may need improvement, from the advisor or major professor in the academic field.

7. The candidate must have an acceptable portfolio on TaskStream as judged, according to a scoring rubric, by two individuals—the appropriate faculty member(s) and the advisor or major professor.

8. The candidate must provide proof of liability insurance (SGAE/SPAGE).

9. The candidate must provide documentation of a recent acceptable criminal background check.

10. The candidate must have abided by the Code of Ethics for Educators.

11. The candidate must complete the Student Teaching Application.

Transition Point 3- Completion of Program

1. The candidate must have completed all requirements of Admission (Transition Point 1) and Student Teaching (Transition Point 2).

2. The candidate must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA.

3. The candidate must have successfully completed, with a C or above, the appropriate Curriculum and Methods Course (EDU 4050, EDU 4060, EDU 4070, EDU 4080).

4. The candidate must have a minimum of 126 semester hours.

5. The candidate must receive acceptable student teaching evaluations from the supervising classroom teacher, the University supervisor, and other observers. (The advisor completes a “check out” for graduation.)

6. The candidate must provide an acceptable portfolio as judged, according to a scoring rubric, by the University supervisor, the supervising classroom teacher, and the major professor.

7. The candidate must have abided by the Code of Ethics for Educators.

8. The candidate must complete a written exit survey.
 
9. The candidate must complete an oral exit interview with the Education Department Chair. At this time, candidates will provide collections of 1) classroom management artifacts, 2) value-added instruction documents, and 3) videotaped instruction with impact/refinement statements as per Georgia PSC requirements.

Transition Point 4- Alumni Performance

1.  GAICTE follow-up Survey.

2.  PSC data bank of institutional program completers

Criteria for Certification by the State of Georgia

Before the Shorter University Teacher Preparation Program personnel will recommend a student for certification, the student must:

1. have successfully completed all components of Transition Points 1, 2, and 3 outlined above,
2. have a 2.50 cumulative GPA,
3. pass the appropriate GACE tests,
4. provide official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended, and
5. complete all certification application forms.

Since certification is a process determined by the State of Georgia, these regulations may be changed at any time and without warning.