Level One: Preparing for Teacher Candidacy
This is the first level for teacher education candidates. Benchmarks for Level One are listed below.
Initial prerequisites
These must be completed during EDU 245 Preparing for Level Two: Teacher Candidacy. This is typically taken during sophomore year at WSC. Transfer students should take this their first semester at WSC.
- Anthology Portfolio: All education majors receive a subscription to Anthology Portfolio in EDU 245, which is an electronic portfolio used for submitting homework and assessing progress. Anthology Portfolio can also be used for building a personal portfolio for future employment.
- Complete the application to educator preparation located in Anthology Portfolio. It should be completed/submitted electronically. Students must digitally sign a Signature Sheet (located in Anthology Portfolio) indicating they understand both the benchmark requirements presented to them in EDU 245 and have reviewed all SARA information.
- Background check: All education majors must complete an initial background screening prior to admission into the educator preparation program or the first field experience. Information (including the name of the company that completes the screening and fee paid by the student) is provided in Anthology Portfolio.
Required General Studies courses
You must earn a “C” or higher in the following two classes.
- CNA 100 Principles of Human Communication
- ENG 102 Composition Skills
Required Professional Education courses
You must earn a “C” or higher in all EDU or SPD prefix classes.
- EDU 150 Introduction to Professional Education
- EDU 245 Preparing for Level 2: Teacher Candidacy
- EDU 250 Human Development and Cognition (includes field experience component)
- EDU 275 PK-12 Instructional Design (includes field experience component)
Note: Some of the above courses may be accepted as transfer credit from other institutions – see your advisor for assistance.
Training in human relations
- Completion of EDU 275 PK-12 Instructional Design or completion of EDU 457 Human Relations in a Pluralistic Society (if transferring in an equivalent EDU 275 course from another institution)
Performance benchmarks
- Must have a 2.5 (or higher) cumulative GPA
- Evidence of professionalism and potential for teaching verified by disposition surveys submitted by EDU 150, 250, and 275 instructors. Transfer students must obtain forms from their transfer college instructors or instructors at WSC their first semester.
Recommendation and approval
- Must receive a recommendation rating to advance. Each student’s EGP will be reviewed by the Candidate Review Committee (CRC) for evidence of satisfactory progress in knowledge, skills, and dispositions.
- Must receive approval from the Professional Progress Committee (PPC) to advance to candidate status.
Recommendation process from Level One to Level Two:
For each student enrolled in EDU 275 (considered the capstone class at Level One) or EDU 245 (for transfer/dual credit students who have already taken EDU 275 prior to first semester at WSC), the CRC in coordination with the Education and Behavioral Sciences Office will review evidence and artifacts related to the required benchmarks for Level One. Based on that evidence, one of the following numerical ratings will be assigned to the potential candidate and will be forwarded to the Professional Progress Committee (PPC) for consideration:
- Rating is #3: Admitted to Program. CRC identified no concerns. Once the EBSS Office verifies all Benchmarks have been successfully met, the student will be automatically advanced to Level 2.
- Rating is #2: CRC Consultation. CRC identified minor areas for growth and recommends a one-time meeting with the student to provide guidance and support for success. Once the student meets with the CRC member and the EBSS Office verifies all Benchmarks have been successfully met, the student will be automatically advanced to Level 2.
- Rating is #1: PPC Referral. CRC identified moderate areas for growth and recommends additional supports be provided. PPC reviews to determine if the student should fully advance to Level 2 or be allowed to advance conditionally for one semester with a supportive action plan in place. This plan is designed to help address moderate concerns and provide additional support to grow and thrive. When the student has successfully addressed the concerns for conditional approval, they will be fully advanced to Level 2.
- Rating is #0: Not Recommended for Admission to Program. Students who are rated as #0 by the CRC do not exhibit qualities necessary to remain in educator preparation based on existing evidence which will be provided to the PPC. The PPC reviews the #0 ratings from the CRC to determine if a recommendation for removal from the program should be made to the Dean and referred for Career Counseling.
During the semester of conditional approval: Students who are conditionally approved to Level 2 will be considered for one of the following:
- Monitor Growth: The PPC will determine if the student will be monitored for one semester based on Professional Dispositions. At the conclusion of the semester, a recommendation will be made to the PPC regarding the readiness to be removed from monitoring status or be placed on a Growth Plan.
- Growth Plan: The student will be required to meet with the PPC Growth Plan Coordinator (GPC) a minimum of three times during the semester to review growth. At the conclusion of the semester a report and recommendation will be made by the GPC to the PPC regarding readiness to remain in educator preparation. Based on the decision of the PPC, some candidates may be required to complete a second semester of the Growth Plan. Students will not be allowed more than two conditional semesters on a Growth Plan. Students who successfully complete the Growth Plan will be moved from conditional status to full admission to Level Two. Students who are not successful with the growth plan will be recommended for removal from educator preparation. Candidates who do not meet the benchmarks in Level Two will be referred to explore other career options.
Students who meet all Level One benchmarks and receive PPC approval for candidacy will be allowed to take Level 300 or 400 EDU and SPD classes and/or MUS 411 and 412.
