Graduate Catalog 2010-12
Professional Program
for Teacher Certification Policies
All policies of the Professional
Program for Teacher Certification apply to all students admitted to
the Professional Program, regardless of the program level of the
student. A more complete description of polices can be found in the
Undergraduate Catalog.
Appeals
Process for Professional Program Students.
Denial of admission to the
professional program for teacher certification, removal from the
professional program, denial of approval to participate in field
experiences or student teaching, or removal from field experiences or
student teaching are academic decisions that reflect careful and
deliberate judgment by faculty. Factors that are considered in such
decisions include, but are not limited to, the adequate development
of the student, professional program requirements and performance
standards, the Connecticut Code of Professional Responsibility for
Teachers, professional performance standards and attributes mandated
by the Connecticut State Department of Education, National Council
for the Accreditation of Teacher Education standards, and the
professional program's unique responsibilities to children and
schools.
The
University recognizes that on occasions there may be an error or
palpable injustice in the determination of denial of admission to the
professional program, removal from the professional program, denial
of approval to participate in field experiences or student teaching,
or removal from field experiences or student teaching. A student who
believes that an error or a palpable injustice has occurred in
procedures in arriving at a decision may pursue an appeal. A copy of
the full appeals policy may be obtained from the office of the dean
of the School of Education and Professional Studies. Please note, a
particular decision cannot be appealed under multiple decision types
covered by the appeals policies (i.e. admission to the professional
program, removal from the professional program, denial of approval to
participate in field experiences or student teaching, or removal from
field experiences or student teaching).
Appeal for Admission GPA Waiver. A
student whose undergraduate cumulative GPA is below 2.70 may appeal
for a waiver of the admission GPA requirements. Students who have
been denied admission because of the GPA requirement may write a
letter of appeal to the dean of the School of Education and
Professional Studies for a waiver of the GPA requirement presenting
compelling evidence of both of the following:
Demonstrated
academic ability in recent coursework showing an exemplary pattern
of performance different from prior undergraduate course work; and
Intervening
life experience, e.g., working with children or in a
profession/vocation that has contributed to the applicant's growth
and maturity as a prospective teacher.
The
appeal will be reviewed by the School of Education and Professional
Studies appeals committee. The committee will make a recommendation
to the dean, who will make the final decision.
Students
who are denied admission to the professional program for reasons
other than GPA may contact the assistant dean to discuss issues
concerning the application.
Restricted Professional Course Work.
Most education courses offered in the teacher education programs
require admission to the Professional Program for Teacher
Certification. Students who have not been admitted to a teacher
education program are not allowed to enroll in restricted courses.
Repeat
Policy. An
exception to the course
repeat policy exists in the
School of Education and Professional Studies which requires that
departmental permission be granted to repeat any professional program
course, including courses from which the student has withdrawn.
Teacher candidates must submit the request for permission to repeat
any of these courses to the chair of Teacher Education before adding
the course to their schedule for a second time. Once teacher
candidates have the chair's approval, the School of Education and
Professional Studies will utilize the most recent CCSU GPA in its
calculations of the 2.70 minimum total GPA requirement for
continuation in the professional program.
Retention Criteria. Once
admitted to a particular teacher education program, a
post-baccalaureate student is expected to maintain:
a 3.00 GPA overall and in the
Professional Program;
appropriate or professional
behavior, attitudes, attributes, and responses in various contexts
in which teachers and teacher candidates serve;
acceptable performance during
field experiences or Student Teaching;
acceptable performance on
performance assessments;
adherence to the Connecticut Code
of Professional Responsibility for Teachers;
confidentiality of all information
concerning colleagues and students obtained during the educational
process; and
integrity and honesty in written
and verbal communications, documentation, and coursework at all
times.
