2007-2008 Undergraduate Academic Catalog - Plymouth State ...

Gate: The term gate is commonly used by NCATE accreditedcolleges and universities to describe their decision points intheir candidate and unit assessment systems. A gate is a levelof attainment that clearly communicates how far the candidatehas progressed on the road to certification.Note: Graduate students pass through a similar set of “gates”in their programs. Please refer to the Program PlanningGuides available in the College of Graduate Studies for moreinformation specific to the post-baccalaureate and graduateprograms.Applications are available in the Teacher Certification Handbook.Students may download the Handbook from the OTC Website at: www.plymouth.edu/teachercertification/. All teachercertification candidates can monitor their own progress throughthe Gate Requirements by regularly checking the TeacherCertification link in myPlymouth.Application for Teacher Certification Candidacy – Gate 1Acceptance to Plymouth State University does not automaticallyassume acceptance into teacher certification. Application toteacher certification candidacy is initiated with the Office ofTeacher Certification during the first semester of enrollment. Tobe formally admitted to teacher certification candidacy requiresthat the student achieve the cumulative grade point average(GPA) required by the department sponsoring the teachereducation program. Students who do not meet the required GPAcriteria are encouraged to meet with their academic advisorsand the staff in the Office of Teacher Certification to discusstheir options. Two faculty evaluations are required as part ofthe application process as admission into teacher certificationcandidacy considers both academic and personal characteristicsof the candidate.PraxisThe criteria for admission include a validation of basic skillsproficiency through standardized examination. Validationof basic skills proficiency is determined by passing Praxis I:Pre-Professional Skills (PPST) Tests in reading, mathematics,and writing. This standardized examination is offered oncampus during the academic year, as well as at off-campussites. This test must be taken during the first year in the teachereducation program. Information regarding registration andalternative testing sites is available from the Office of TeacherCertification.The state of New Hampshire requires all candidates for teachercertification to pass the Praxis I exam. All Plymouth StateUniversity teacher education candidates must pass the Praxis Iexam prior to student teaching. Under Title II, Sections 207 and208 of the Higher Education Act, Plymouth State University isrequired to report passing rates on this exam for all graduates ofteacher education programs.Transfer students enrolling in a program leading to teachercertification should contact the Office of Teacher Certificationas soon as possible after acceptance into the University, for ateacher certification candidacy procedure that is appropriate fortheir transfer status.Field ExperiencesAll departmental programs recognize the importance ofearly and continual professional field experiences. Teachercertification candidates must complete the designatedobservation/participation requirements included in the coursework of the department sponsoring the certification program.All teacher certification candidates who interact with students inpublic school settings through course-related field experiencesare subject to New Hampshire state legislation that requires allpersons who regularly come into contact with pupils on a dailybasis for a period of time to undergo a full disclosure criminalrecords check. This may include fingerprinting. The processingof the criminal records check is conducted at the site schoolbefore the field experience begins. The fee for this processingis the responsibility of the teacher candidate and is paid directlyto the school district. Inquiries should be directed to theCoordinator of Teacher Certification and Clinical Experiences.Application to Student Teaching – Gate 2Candidates must file an Application to Student Teach and aCurriculum Planning Guide review with the Coordinator ofTeacher Certification and Clinical Experiences one year priorto the anticipated semester of student teaching. This allowscandidates time to ensure that all academic and professionalrequirements will be complete before acceptance into studentteaching. Acceptance into Teacher Certification Candidacy,including passing scores in the Praxis I test, is required beforean application to student teach will be accepted. Candidatesmust have the cumulative grade point average designated bythe department sponsoring the Teacher Education program.Acceptance into Student Teaching – Gate 3All applicants must be approved by both the Coordinator ofTeacher Certification and Clinical Experiences and the majordepartment. Candidates must have the cumulative grade pointaverage designated by the department sponsoring the TeacherEducation program and have completed all other courserequirements for certification by the end of the semester priorto the one in which they wish to student teach. A resume, aprofessional statement, two faculty evaluations, and attendanceat sessions are required as part of acceptance into studentteaching.The consent of the Director of Teacher Education and theappropriate certification program coordinator is necessary forstudent teachers to take additional courses during the studentteaching semester. Overload regulations regarding eligibilityTeacher EducationPlymouth State University Academic Catalog 2007–2008 223