Claudius G. Clemmer College of Education

Box 70685
Phone: (423) 439-7626
Web address: http://coe.etsu.edu

Accredited by: National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE); Tennessee State Board of Education Memberships: American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education Organization

The college includes the departments of Curriculum and Instruction (Interdisciplinary Studies in Education [elementary], secondary teaching, reading, instructional media, instructional technology, and science education); Human Development and Learning (early childhood education, foundations of human development and learning, counseling, and special education); Kinesiology, Leisure and Sport Sciences (physical education, exercise science, and sport management and leisure services), and Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (beginning administrator). There is also a concentration at the doctoral level for persons in postsecondary and private sectors who do not have teacher certification.

The ETSU Child Study Center is operated as a part of the early childhood education program. In addition, University School, a campus school, grades K-12, is operated in association with the Clemmer College of Education.

For a listing of majors, degrees, and concentrations, see the section of Degrees and Graduation Requirements and subsection Majors, Degrees, and Concentrations.

Teacher Education

The university is approved for the offering of courses appropriate to initial teacher licensure, renewal of the Teachers Professional Certificate, and planned added endorsements. Policies of the Tennessee State Board of Education and of East Tennessee State University must be followed in completing programs leading to the university’s recommendation for teacher licensure.

Entering students who are pursuing degrees leading to teacher licensure in elementary education, early childhood education, physical education, or special education are classified as Pre-Education (PRED) until they meet the requirements for admission to teacher education (see below). These students receive advising from the Office of Student Services located in room 321 of Warf-Pickel Hall. Once students are formally admitted to Teacher Education, they declare a major in early childhood education, interdisciplinary studies in education, special education, or physical education and are assigned a faculty advisor for their program.

Students who want to teach in an area usually taught in secondary schools major in the teaching content area (ex. History). Initial advising for students in secondary education is provided by personnel in the department that offers the teaching major or minor (or area concentration). Advising is available from Clemmer College of Education personnel for secondary education students who identify themselves to the Clemmer College of Education. A professional advisor is available in room 321 of Warf-Pickel Hall. All students should check with their advisors frequently to make sure they are completing the correct requirements for their particular situations.

All students planning to teach must be formally admitted to the university’s approved teacher education program as described in this section of the catalog. One prerequisite for teacher education is a satisfactory performance on a prescribed test of basic skills mandated by the Tennessee State Board of Education.

A post-baccalaureate non-degree program is available to students holding the bachelor’s degree who want to become eligible for initial classroom teacher licensure in special education. Those students must meet all requirements for admission to teacher education as well as other requirements for the bachelor’s degree for teachers. In all other licensure areas, the Clemmer College of Education requires the completion of an appropriate second bachelor’s or master’s degree for initial certification of individuals who hold a non-teaching baccalaureate degree. For further information consult the professional advisor of the Clemmer College of Education, 321 Warf-Pickel Hall.

Responsibilities of the Clemmer College of Education include planning, coordinating, and implementing all university teacher education programs leading to initial or advanced preparation of public school teachers or school service personnel; providing professional services as requested by schools in the service area of the university; providing or assisting in the provision of appropriate in-service and professional development activities as requested; and planning and conducting research and development studies growing out of needs identified in academic programs or in the public schools.

Title II Report Information

As required by Title II of the federal Higher Education Act, East Tennessee State University reports the results of candidate performance on state licensing examinations. This information is reported to the state in an Institutional Report that is submitted annually.

For the 2006-2007 academic year, ETSU’s “Summary Pass Rate” was 100%. This compares to a statewide summary pass rate of 97%.

The Title II report can be accessed at http://www.etsu.edu/coe/TitleII.asp.

Non-teaching Programs

In addition to those majors and concentrations leading to teacher licensure, the College offers additional majors and concentrations that do not have a teaching focus. The Department of Human Development and Learning offers three non-teaching major/concentrations. These are the early childhood development (general) concentration in the early childhood development major and the human services major. The Department of Kinesiology, Leisure and Sport Sciences offers two non-teaching concentrations. These are: a) exercise science and b) sport management and park and recreation management. Admission to these concentrations may take place at the time of admission to the university. Advisement is provided by faculty in the respective departments.

Center for Early Childhood Learning and Development

The Center for Early Childhood Learning and Development operates a model early childhood program for both infants and toddlers and an early learning program for children ages 3, 4, and 5. The programs are designed to include both normally developing and young children with disabilities. The center is used in preparing students to work in early childhood development and other related areas. Students may observe and participate in both center programs. For additional information call (423) 439-7555.

A child care program, Little Buccaneers Student Child Care Center, specifically designed to meet the needs of ETSU students, opened in June 1997. ETSU students can enroll their children for blocks of time each semester that would accommodate their child care needs while attending classes and during study times. This program is supported by the Student Activities Allocation Committee and ETSU. Information for this program can be obtained by calling 439-7549.

Pre-Teacher Education – Declaration of Intent

All ETSU students desiring to complete a teacher education or other public school licensure program (for initial licensure, add-on endorsement, or advanced study in education) must file a Declaration of Intent in the Office of Student Services, 321 Warf-Pickel Hall. The Declaration of Intent should be filed before 30 credit hours of coursework have been completed or, in the case of transfer and post-baccalaureate students, in the first semester at ETSU. Delay or failure to file the Declaration of Intent may result in incomplete advisement. Students who have not filed the Declaration of Intent will not be considered for admission to teacher education and may be ineligible to enroll in many professional education courses.

Who must file a Declaration of Intent?

undergraduates pursuing first-time teaching licensure
transfer students pursuing first-time teaching licensure
post-baccalaureate students pursuing first-time teaching licensure or additional endorsements; and
students enrolled in master’s degree programs desiring to earn teacher licensure or additional public school endorsement

Admission to Teacher Education

Students admitted to Teacher Education must:

Make formal application to the College of Education Teacher Education Program.
Complete 32 credit hours of General Education courses including the following: Writing (6 hrs.); Sciences (8 hrs.); Mathematics (3 hrs.); and 15 additional hours chosen from History, Humanities and Fine Arts, and Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Achieve a GPA of at least 2.50 on all general education coursework attempted as reflected in the calculated grade point average, excluding Developmental Studies courses and CSCI 1100 .
Meet standardized test requirements [either ACT composite score of at least 22; or S.A.T. combined score of at least 920 (1020 if taken after 4/1/95); or minimum Praxis I scores for Reading (174, PPST or C-PPST), for Math (173, PPST or C-PPST), and for Writing (173, PPST or C-PPST)].
Submit a portfolio as initiated in EDFN 2100 - Orientation to the Profession of Education and EDFN 2300 - Foundations for Teaching .
Complete a successful interview with the College of Education Admission Board.
Demonstrate good moral character and freedom from any condition that would impair effectiveness as a teacher.¹
Complete EDFN 2100 - Orientation to the Profession of Education with a grade of C or better and EDFN 2300 - Foundations for Teaching with a grade of C or better. (Early Childhood majors must complete ECED 2150 - Foundations of Early Childhood Development with a grade of C or better.)
Complete CSCI 1100 - Using Information Technology or pass proficiency exam.
Complete a background check and receive clearance. (This must be initiated in the Clemmer College of Education Advisement Office, room 321, Warf-Pickel Hall, and must be completed four weeks prior to submitting a teacher education application.)

Because of the nature of the program, the university reserves the right to change the requirements in the teacher education program at any time when it is needed to meet state licensure standards.

Following admission to teacher education, students may declare a major in early childhood education, interdisciplinary studies in education, physical education (K-12 licensure), or special education.

¹ Applicants will complete a speech and hearing screening and be informed of any condition that may require modifications or accommodations and sign a notarized statement of character.

Requirements for Entering Teacher Training Programs

All students wishing to enter approved teacher training programs shall be required to:Agree to the release of all investigative records to the administrator
1. of the selected teacher training program;
2. Supply a fingerprint sample and submit to a criminal history records check to be conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI); and
3. Sign an authorization and release form provided by the department or board, authorizing a qualified Tennessee licensed private investigation company by and on behalf of the board to complete a criminal history records check.
As used in subdivision (a)(l), “qualified Tennessee licensed private investigation company” means a company that is licensed by the department of commerce and insurance, insured with at least three million dollars ($3,000,000) worth of errors and omissions insurance and carries sufficient indemnification coverage.
Any reasonable costs incurred by the TBI in conducting an investigation of an applicant shall be paid by the applicant. The applicant shall be provided a copy of all criminal history records check documentation. In lieu of additional criminal history records checks for subsequent applications to the selected teacher training program, the applicant may submit copies of the applicant’s initial criminal history records check documentation and shall not be required to pay any additional costs.
Any criminal history records check performed pursuant to this section shall not be submitted and used for the criminal history records check required under ‘ 49-5-4 13 for employment by an LEA or child care program as defined in ‘ 49-1-1 102.
[Acts 2007, ch. 454, ‘ 1.]

Directed Student Teaching

All requirements for unconditional admission to teacher education must have been completed before enrolling in student teaching. Prior to admission to student teaching, students shall declare the areas in which they seek recommendation for licensure. Students will be placed in their major fields as well as other areas in which recommendation for licensure is sought with the approval of the appropriate department. ETSU will not recommend initial endorsement for areas that have not been declared before directed student teaching.

Students declaring a second field must have completed at least two-thirds of this requirement, as well as lower-division cognate courses, before being eligible for directed student teaching.

Applications for admission to the directed teaching program should be submitted to the Director of Field Services, 321 Warf-Pickel Hall, during the first week of the semester preceding the semester in which placement is requested. Students will not normally be placed earlier than one full semester following official acceptance of the application. Applications will be processed according to filing date. Students who delay applying for admission to teacher education, who delay in completing requirements, or who delay in applying for student teaching should be aware that they will be considered for placement on a space-available basis only.

Applications should indicate preference for placement in the locations being used in the semester concerned. However, the university reserves the right to exercise its best judgment in final determination of student placement based on student performance, teaching situations available, the number of applicants for a specific instructional area, and personal hardships.

A minimum academic average of 2.50 overall, in professional education courses (with no grade below C-), and in all areas for which endorsement is sought (with no grade below C-) is required for admission to student teaching. Candidates who student teach beginning fall 2001 are required to meet state mandated test score requirements on the Praxis II (formerly NTE) examination no later than two weeks prior to student teaching.

Applications must be endorsed by the major department not only for academic qualifications but also for physical, moral, and emotional health qualities appropriate to the teaching profession. If a second field is sought, the applicant must also have the endorsement of that department.

Questions regarding clarification of these policies should be referred to the Director of Field Services.

Licensure

Elementary teacher education students must complete the approved sequence of courses described in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction section.

Secondary teacher education students at East Tennessee State University must complete an approved teaching major or an approved teaching concentration. If other areas of licensure are sought, the appropriate approved program must be completed.

The initial Tennessee teacher’s license will be issued only to those applicants who have completed a teacher preparation program in a Tennessee higher education institution approved by the Tennessee State Board of Education for the preparation of teachers in the area of licensure sought.

If the initial license is not obtained following completion of the approved program, requirements in effect at the time of application must be satisfied. In all cases, current state licensure requirements must be met regardless of when the student enters the program.

A person who holds a Tennessee Teachers Professional License may add teaching area endorsements by completing teacher education add-on programs after the original license has been issued. Such programs include the addition of a secondary endorsement to an elementary license or the addition of an elementary endorsement to a secondary license. A person who holds a Tennessee Teachers Professional License and wishes to add an endorsement in another teaching area should contact the certification analyst, room 323C, Warf-Pickel Hall.

All applicants for a teaching license in Tennessee must submit satisfactory scores on specified Praxis II tests. Applicants should request that a copy of their test scores be sent to:

East Tennessee State University
Recipient Code #1198

Request current information about Tennessee test requirements at the Office of Education Student Services, Room 321, Warf-Pickel Hall. Upon completion of an ETSU teacher preparation or other school licensure program, application for Tennessee licensure must be submitted to Angela Murray, Certification Analyst, room 323C Warf-Pickel Hall. Contact Ms. Murray for application forms and instructions. Phone (423) 439-7562 or email murrayp@etsu.edu. Licensure renewal information is available at www.state.tn.useducation/lic.

Following is a list of the teacher education areas in which we have licensure programs available:

Education Licensure

Early Childhood Education PreK-3
Elementary EducationK-6
English7-12
Foreign Language (French, German, Spanish) 7-12
Health K-12
Mathematics 7-12
Music Education (Vocal, Instrumental) K-12
Physical Education K-12
Psychology 9-12
School Social Worker PreK-12
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science 7-12
History, Gov./Political Science, Geography, Economics 7-12
Sociology 9-12
Special Education
Modified K-12
Comprehensive K-12
Preschool/Early Childhood (graduate) PreK-3
Speech Communication 7-12
Speech/Language Pathology (master’s program, only) PreK-12
Technology Engineering 5-12
Theatre K-12
Visual Arts K-12

In addition to the above programs for initial licensing, the college offers “add-on” endorsements in many of these areas. An appropriate initial license must be verified in order to apply for an “add-on”. Consult the certification analyst for information about specific programs.

The college also offers extensive graduate work, including school licensing programs in counseling, reading, library media, and administration. Consult the Graduate Catalog for details.

Educational Foundations (EDFN)

The mission and purpose of the foundations program unit in the College of Education is to plan, coordinate, and deliver educational experiences consistent with the college’s core requirements regarding knowledge, skills, and values deemed to be essential requisites for all of the college’s graduates.

We believe that all of the college’s graduates should:

demonstrate research competence (possess inquiry skills);
demonstrate technological literacy;
demonstrate effective communication skills;
demonstrate grounding in historical, social, psychological, philosophical, political, and legal foundations related to their area of preparation;
demonstrate an understanding of the challenges and opportunities surrounding issues of diversity and multiculturalism;
demonstrate skills appropriate to leadership within the profession/field for which the graduate has been prepared; and
demonstrate a knowledge of personal competencies and areas for continuing development.

The educational foundations unit plans, coordinates, and delivers courses and other educational experiences that help develop these skills, attitudes, and competencies in all students, graduate and undergraduate, across the college. The unit will also maintain a course listing and matrix of courses offered throughout the college that contributes to the acquisition of these competencies.