University of Florida



Unified Elementary PROTEACH

University of Florida

School of Teaching And Learning

College of Education

Student Handbook

2013-2014

Welcome Unified Elementary Proteach (UEP) Teacher Candidates!

The faculty and staff of the University of Florida, College of Education’s, Unified Elementary Proteach program wish to welcome you or for many of you, welcome you back! You are beginning or are well into the challenging but exciting journey of becoming a professional teacher who will influence the lives of potentially thousands of young children over a long career. After completing three-years of the rigorous UEP teacher preparation program, our graduates are prepared to enter schools and classrooms with confidence, knowledge, skill, and passion, highly sought after by school districts and principals all over the state of Florida. It is our role to facilitate your development as a future teacher through coursework and fieldwork that complement and inform each other, merging theory and practice.

Each year brings with it a new set of challenges and opportunities. All are designed to develop the best teachers the state of Florida has to offer and to prepare you to be successful from the first day you walk into your own classroom. This handbook contains information you will need for each new experience and milestone as you progress through the program. We ask that you support each other throughout each experience and work collaboratively with faculty and staff whose desire is to help you succeed. We are here for you!

Have a Wonderful Year!

The Faculty and Staff of the UEP Program

Table of Contents

Purpose of the Program 4

Program Themes 4

Highlighted Program Features 5

Graduation Requirements 5

Residence Requirement Last 30 Semesters 5

Department Policies 6-7

GPA/Grades/EAS 6

Degrees Earned 6

Fifth Year and Internship 6

Communication 6

Single and dual Certification Options 7

Field / Clinical Work 7-8

Undergraduate Program of Courses 9

Fifth Year Program of Courses 10-11

The Junior Year 12

The Senior Year 13

The Pre-Internship 14

Preparing to Graduate 15

Preparing for the Fifth Year 16-17

Graduate School 18

The Fifth Year 19

Tips for Success 20

Appendices

Appendix A: Florida Education Accomplished Practices 21-22

Appendix B: Program Contacts 23

Appendix C: Florida Teacher Certification Examination 24

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA SCHOOL OF TEACHING AND LEARNING & DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

UNIFIED ELEMENTARY PROTEACH

PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM

The Unified Elementary Proteach program (UEP) is designed to prepare teachers with a dual emphasis in elementary education and mild disabilities as well as to prepare teachers to work with students who are English Speakers of Other Languages. The purpose of this program is to prepare teachers who are capable of:

(a) creating and maintaining supportive and productive classrooms for diverse student populations, and

(b) working collaboratively with school personnel, families, and members of the community to develop alternative ways of educating all children, including those who present unique instructional and/or behavioral challenges to teachers.

AREAS OF CERTIFICATION

• All students completing the 5-year program are eligible for certification in

elementary education with an ESOL endorsement and reading endorsement.

• Those who select the dual certification track in special education during the Masters’ year of the program will be eligible for certification in elementary education (K-6) and exceptional student education (K-12) as well as being eligible for an ESOL endorsement and may use course credits and send transcripts to apply for the reading endorsement.

PROGRAM THEMES

Program themes guide the development and implementation of all courses and

experiences. Themes are integrated throughout the program. The program is organized around two complementary themes:

(1) Democratic values: Teachers within a democratic society must be

committed to the value of equity in education and society and must be

able to work collaboratively with others to develop alternative ways of

educating our diverse population while accepting the responsibility for the

learning of ALL children.

(2) Knowledge of content and inclusive pedagogy: Because in today’s world

content knowledge is constantly expanding, teachers increasingly will be

asked to make decisions about what and how to teach. Our aim is to help

pre-service teachers develop knowledge of subject area content in order to

identify and organize appropriate content for elementary instruction and to

develop inclusive pedagogy to facilitate all student’s learning.

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM FEATURES

• Dual emphasis in elementary and special education

• ESOL endorsement eligible upon completion of either the dual or single certification program

• Technology taught explicitly and implicitly

• College of Education faculty collaboration to facilitate student success

• Full - year internship in the 5th year

• Reading endorsement eligible upon completion of the single certification program

Please note: Completion of the UEP program requires 5 years of intensive study including

registration and attendance in program courses during summer semesters.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

UEP students who complete a department approved undergraduate degree in

the College of Education are awarded the Bachelor of Arts in Education (B.A.E.). UEP students are required to complete an additional year of study in a master’s degree or post baccalaureate program to receive a statement on the transcript verifying completion of a Florida Department of Education and National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) approved program. Grades below “C” will not fulfill requirements in either professional education or in general education areas. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is required at the bachelor’s level. A 3.0 overall GPA and a 3.0 GPA in the major area (courses taken in the School of Teaching and Learning) is required in order to graduate with a Master’s degree.

Prior to program completion, students must demonstrate satisfactory performance on the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs) at the pre-professional level. In addition, program completion requires UEP students to take and pass all sections of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam. This includes the General Knowledge Test, appropriate subject area exam(s) required to have passed prior to awarding of bachelor’s degree, and Professional Education Exam (required prior to graduating with Master’s degree).

*Residence: The last thirty semester hours to be applied toward a degree must be completed in residence in the College of Education. (From The University of Florida Undergraduate Catalog 2007-2008)

DEPARTMENT POLICIES

GPA/Grades/Competencies

• Elementary education students with upper division grade point averages below

3.0 may be denied further registrations in the program. Students have the right to petition.

• Students in their graduate year MUST maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 AND a 3.0 in their major (e.g. all courses in STL department).

• Courses with a grade of C- or lower will not count as credit toward a degree or graduation and must be re-taken, if required, or an approved alternative course may be taken in certain circumstances.

• All UEP students are assessed using the electronic COE Educator Assessment

System which includes evidence of successful completion of each of the Florida

Accomplished Practices (FEAPs). (See Appendix A for FEAPs).

Graduation / Degrees

• Completion of the UEP program results in the awarding of both a Bachelor’s of Arts in Education degree at the end of the fourth year and a Master’s of Education degree at the completion of the fifth year.

• The UEP program is a five-year program. UEP students not completing the BAE and Post- Baccalaureate or Master of Education degree cannot be recommended for certification nor can recommendations be provided for teaching positions as it is our believe that candidates are not ready to successfully face the demands of the first year of teaching with the level of competence now required in public elementary school classrooms without completion of the entire program. It should also be noted that registration during summer semesters will be necessary.

Fifth Year and Internship

• Application for graduate internship will be limited to those students who attend the mandatory orientation session AND complete the student teaching application and submit it on time to the Office of Student Services. Internships may take place in local elementary schools or elementary schools in other Florida counties. Information pertaining to orientation sessions is posted on the student services/internship website:

• Students may transfer in up to 15 hours of graduate credit taken as an undergraduate or post-baccalaureate student into their graduate program. Any graduate level courses taken as an undergraduate will only transfer to the Master’s program if a grade of B or higher is earned. Students should not take graduate level courses until their senior year.

Communication

All students are required to check their UFL email daily and the Wednesday Updates sent via email.

Single and Dual Certification Options

The Unified Elementary Proteach program offers students two options for teacher

certification. Programs leading to single or dual certifications are available. Both

options are described below.

Single and Dual Certification Options: What do they have in common?

All UEP students follow the same program throughout the undergraduate portion of their programs. Regardless of whether a student plans to follow the single or dual certification option, the undergraduate program of study will be the same. All coursework at the undergraduate level is common to both programs. At the graduate level, the programs differ. Student select one or the other when applying for the graduate portion of the UEP program; i.e. single certification or dual certification.

Single Certification Option: Elementary Education

Students selecting the single certification option will be eligible for certification in

elementary education, the ESOL endorsement, and the Florida reading endorsement at the completion of their programs. Teachers with elementary education certification are qualified to teach kindergarten through grade 6, ESOL K-12, and reading K-12.

Dual Certification Option: Elementary Education and Exceptional Student

Education K-12

Students selecting the dual certification option will be eligible for certification in

elementary education and exceptional student education as well as the ESOL

endorsement at the completion of their programs. Students will also complete a reading block, which may make them eligible for the Florida reading endorsement, if approved by the Florida Department of Education. Exceptional student education certification qualifies teachers for classes serving students with disabilities in kindergarten through grade 12.

Field/Clinical Work

In the unified elementary program, fieldwork begins early extending throughout the program and culminates with an internship in the graduate year of the program. Activities in the field are directly aligned to university courses taken concurrently. Similar to required labs for courses, fieldwork is required and all UEP students must attend.

Semester 1 – Practicum 1

• UEP candidates provide literacy or literature tutoring

• 2 days a week

• 1 hour tutoring sessions after school

• Tutor students from racially and economically diverse backgrounds

• 10-12 weeks

Semester 2 – Practicum 2 with UFLI Tutoring

• Pairs of UEP candidates work in elementary classrooms

• 3 days a week

• 10-12 weeks

• Trained in University of Florida Literacy Initiative tutoring

• Provide one-on-one tutoring in literacy while at elementary settings

• Implement assignments in elementary classrooms related to effective teaching and management courses (EEX3616 and EEX3257)

Semester 3 – Practicum 3 with ESOL Emphasis

• Elementary candidates work one full day a week in elementary classrooms with ESOL students in rural schools

• Implement assignments associated with coursework; i.e. technology, ESOL, mathematics tutoring, intermediate reading

• 10-12 weeks

Semester 4 – Practicum 4: The Pre-internship

• Pairs of UEP candidates work in Professional Development Community schools partnering with the university teacher education program

• 16-hours a week

• 15 – 16 weeks

• Develop skills as reflective teachers in co-teaching arrangements with other UEP candidates and classroom teachers while improving the learning and achievement of students in their classrooms

• The pre-internship is NOT an internship.

The Graduate Year – Internship

• Full-time internship in elementary or special education classroom

• Interns follow the calendar of the school districts, not the University of Florida calendar

• May be performed in school districts across the state, if approved by UEP coordinator

• Complete online coursework each semester of the internship

• Single certification program offers a full-year internship

• Dual certification program offers a practicum semester and an internship semester where both can be completed in the same classroom or different classrooms

• Required for professional certification and completion of the program

Unified Elementary PROTEACH

|Semester 1 |Semester 2 |

|Composition 3 |Introduction to Education (EDF 1005) 3 |

|Geometry Content (MAC 1106 or MAC 2311) 3 |Composition/Literature |

| |3 |

|Social/Behavioral Science |Social/Behavioral Science |

|(POS, ECO, INR, ANT, SYG, PSY) 3 |(POS, ECO, INR, ANT, SYG, PSY) 3 3 |

|Physical Science 3 |Biological Science 3 |

|Humanities: Fine Arts (MUH, MUL, ARH, THE, or HUM) 3 |Humanities: American History 3 |

|Semester 3 |Semester 4 |

|Teaching Diverse Populations (EDG 2701) 3 |Intro to Ed Technology (EME 2040) 3 |

|Statistics (STA 2023) 3 |College Algebra (MAC 1105, MAC 1140 or MAC 1147) 3 |

|Earth Science (GLY, AST, MET, OCE, ESC) 3 |Social Behavioral Science: Human Growth & Dev (DEP) 3 |

|Physical, Biological, or Earth Science Lab 1 |Humanities: American History 3 |

|Transferable Elective 3 |Transferable Elective 3 |

|Transferable Elective 2-3 | |

|Semester 5 |

|EDF 3115 Child Development for Inclusive Education 3 |

|EEX 3070 Teachers and Learners in Inclusive Schools 3 |

|SDS 3430 Family and Community Involvement in Education 3 |

|LAE 3005 Children’s Literature in Childhood Education 3 |

|MAE 3312 Content & Methods for Teaching Mathematics Processes 3 |

|MUE 3210* Music for the Elementary Child 2 |

| *Available summer semesters |

|17 |

|Field Component: Practicum 1 Literacy Tutoring (2 afternoons a week for 1 hour each over 10 -12 weeks) |

|Semester 6 |

|EEX 3257 Core Teaching Strategies 3 |

|EEX 3616 Core Classroom Management Strategies 3 |

|RED 3307 Teaching Reading in Primary Grades 3 |

|LAE 4314 Language Arts for Diverse Learners 3 |

|EDF 3514 or EDF3609* History of Education or Historical & Social Foundations of Education 3 |

|ARE 4314* Art Education for Elementary Schools 2 |

| *Available summer semesters |

|17 |

|Field Component: Practicum 2 with UFLI (7.5 hours a week over 10-12 weeks (T,W,R mornings) |

|Semester 7 |

|EDG 4930 Foundations of Science 3 |

|MAE 4310 Teaching Mathematics in the Inclusive Elementary Classroom 3 |

|TSL 3520 ESOL: Language & Culture 3 |

|EME 4401 Integrating Technology Elementary Classroom 3 |

|RED 4324 Reading Intermediate Grades 3 |

| |

|15 |

|Field Component: Practicum 3 with ESOL Fieldwork (1 full day a week = to 7.5 hours a week for 10 - 12 weeks) |

|Semester 8 |

|EDE 4942 Integrated Teaching in Elementary Education 3 |

|EEX 4905 Integrated Teaching Seminar 3 |

|SSE 4312 Social Studies for Diverse Learners 3 |

|SCE 4310 Elementary Science Methods for the Inclusive Classroom 3 |

|TSL 4100 ESOL Curriculum 3 |

| |

|15 |

|Field Component: Practicum 4: Pre-internship (16 hours a week for 15-16 weeks) |

Unified

Elementary PROTEACH

Single Certification

Graduate Year (36 hours)

Fall Admit

Spring Admits

|Spring |

|EDE 6948 Internship 1 |

|3 |

|EDG 6415 Culturally Responsive Classroom Management 3 |

|RED 6520 Literacy Asses & Instruction |

|3 |

|Summer A |

|MAE 5347 Mathematics in K-8 Classrooms |

|3 |

|LAE 6616 Seminar in Literature: Content Based |

|3 |

|EME 6954 Designing Tech Rich Curr. |

|3 |

|EEX6125 Intervention for Lang & Learn Dis |

|3 |

|Fall |

|EDE 6948 Internship 1 |

|3 |

|EDG 6415 Culturally Responsive Classroom Management 3 |

|RED 6520 Literacy Assess & Instruction 3 |

|Summer A |

|EME 6954 Designing Tech Rich Curr. (A) |

|3 |

|MAE 5347 Mathematics in K-8 Classrooms (A) |

|3 |

|LAE 6616 Seminar in Literature: Content Based (A) |

|3 |

|EEX 6125 Intervention for Lang & Learn Dis (C) 3|

|Spring |

|EDE 6948 Internship 2 |

|9 |

|EDG 6931 Formative Assessment in Mathematics |

|3 |

|SCE 5316 Inquiry-Based Science Teach 3 |

|Fall |

|EDE 6948 Internship 3 |

|9 |

|EDG 6931 Formative Assessment in Math |

|3 |

|SCE 5316 Inquiry-Based Science Teach |

|3 |

Single Certification Non-degree Fifth Year Courses

(21 hours)

|Spring or Fall - 12 Credit Hours |

|EDE 6948 Internship 1 6 |

|EDG 6415 Culturally Responsive Classroom Management 3 |

|RED 6520 Literacy Assess & Instruction 3 |

|Summer – 9 Credit Hours |

|MAE 5347 Mathematics in K-8 Classrooms 3 |

|EEX 6125 Intervention for Lang & Learning Disabilities 3 |

|LAE 6616 Seminar in Children’s Literature 3 |

Dual Certification

Graduate Year (36 hours)

|Summer |

|EEX 6XXX |Foundations in Special Education |3 credits |

|RED 6546 |Diagnosis of Reading Difficulties |3 credits |

|RED 6548 |Remediation of Reading Difficulties |3 credits |

|RED 6941 |Practicum in Diagnosis and Remediation of Reading Difficulties |3 credits |

|Fall |

|EEX 6XXX |Designing Powerful Instruction for Struggling Learners |3 credits |

|EEX 6936 |Mathematics Instruction for Struggling Learners |3 credits |

|EEX 6841 / EEX 6905 |Practicum: Mild Disabilities |6 credits |

|Spring |

|EEX 6XXX |Effective Professional Practice in Special Education |3 credits |

|EEX 6863 |Internship |9 credits |

Dual Certification Nondegree Fifth Year Courses* (33 hours)

|Summer |

|EEX 6XXX |Foundations in Special Education |3 credits |

|RED 6546 |Diagnosis of Reading Difficulties |3 credits |

|RED 6548 |Remediation of Reading Difficulties |3 credits |

|RED 6941 |Practicum in Diagnosis and Remediation of Reading Difficulties |3 credits |

|Fall |

|EEX 6XXX |Designing Powerful Instruction for Diverse Learners |3 credits |

|EEX 6936 |Mathematics Instruction for Struggling Learners |3 credits |

|EEX 6841 |Practicum: Mild Disabilities |3 credits |

|Spring |

|EEX 6XXX |Effective Professional Practice in Special Education |3 credits |

|EEX 6863 |Internship |6 credits |

Beginning the Program – Junior Year

Cohorts

Students are assigned to cohorts their first year in the program ranging in size from 25-40 students. These cohorts, or cadre of UEP students, progress through the program together, enrolled in the same courses each semester. If possible, students are kept in their same cohort each semester. There are times when it is not possible however due to scheduling demands and fieldwork requirements.

Common Hour

Combined cohort groups within the same semesters meet with the program coordinator periodically throughout each semester in sessions referred to as “Common Hour” sessions. The purpose of the common hour sessions is to share important procedural information to ensure that all students progress through the program as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Sessions serve as advisement sessions for undergraduate students and to assist with the registration process as well as to clarify expectations. A Common Hour Schedule is provided for students prior to the beginning of each semester via email and is posted on the website at .

Attendance at Common Hour is Mandatory

Power Hour

In addition to common hour sessions, one “Power Hour” session is held each semester. All UEP students are required to attend. It is usually held on a Friday and lasts approximately one hour. The purpose of the “Power Hour” is to reflect upon your own development as a professional educator, interact with other UEP students who are at different levels in their development as teachers and at different stages in the UEP program. Power Hour sessions are led by UEP faculty.

Attendance at Power Hour is mandatory.

Doing Honest Work Book and Quiz

All UEP students are required to read the book, Doing Honest Work in College: How to Prepare Citations, Avoid Plagiarism, and Achieve Real Academic Success by Charles Lipson: University of Chicago Press. Books can be ordered on-line (Amazon) or through the University of Florida Bookstore. A quiz is administered toward the end of first semester. Students must receive an 75% or higher in order to be registered for second semester courses.

Dual or Single Certification Declaration

By the end of the first semester in the program, you will be asked to “declare” your intentions in regards to pursuing single certification in elementary education only or dual certification in elementary and special education. It is a good idea to review the program of study for each found in this handbook. This is not binding and you may change your declaration easily but it is important to give this serious thought as early as possible.

Coursework

Robin Crawford registers students for their core cohort courses each semester. Students are responsible for registering themselves for all other courses: music , art, EDF3514 or EDF3609, EDG4930 Foundations of Science.

Field Experience 1st Semester: Practicum 1

The first field experience is a tutoring experience to give students an opportunity to work and form relationships with racially, ethnically, and economically diverse populations of students while assisting to boost their literacy development. Additionally, assignments from core courses are also implemented during the work in the field. The experience can occur in one of three settings: Kids Count Center, P.K. Yonge Extended Day Enrichment Program, or Lake Forest Elementary School – Extended Day Enrichment Program. UEP candidates will be given their schedule with the days they are to report, times, and locations.

Field Experience 2nd Semester: Practicum 2 with UFLI Tutoring

The second semester field experience is integrated into core courses including Core Teaching Strategies, Core Classroom Management Strategies, and Primary Reading Instruction. Working in pairs, students have their first opportunity to develop and implement lesson plans in elementary classrooms as well as provide one-on-one remedial reading instruction for primary students utilizing the UFLI reading intervention model. Students are required to be in elementary schools for 65-70 hours, typically 3 mornings a week over a 10-12 week period. Intensive training in the UFLI tutoring model is provided at the beginning of the second semester. Students are notified of their placements via email and/or through their core courses. Placements start approximately two weeks into the semester and immediately following the “UFLI” training.

Summer Plans

Taking courses at least one summer is required in order to complete the program in the five-year period of time. It is recommended that summers be used for taking art, music, EDF3514 History of Education, or EDG4930: Foundations of Science Teaching.

Senior Year

The senior year is designed to transition students from thinking like students to thinking like teachers! It is the year prior to the internship and graduate year so there are “tasks” that have to be done to make sure all is ready for that important fifth year in the program.

Common Hour

Students will still be provided with common hour sessions in their senior year, although less frequently than in their junior year. A Common Hour Schedule is provided for students prior to the beginning of each semester via email.

Attendance at Common Hour is Mandatory

Power Hour

In addition to common hour sessions, one “Power Hour” session is held each semester in the senior year. All UEP students are required to attend. It is usually held on a Friday and lasts approximately one hour. The purpose of the “Power Hour” is to reflect upon your own development as a professional educator, interact with other UEP students who are at different levels in their development as teachers and at different stages in the UEP program. UEP faculty lead power Hour sessions.

Attendance at Power Hour is mandatory.

Coursework

Robin Crawford will register students for cohort courses. You will be responsible for registering yourself for EME4401. Students should not take more than the four core courses during the fourth semester. One of those four courses, EDE4952: Integrated Teaching in Elementary Education requires close to 170 hours of work in elementary classrooms.

Field Experience 3rd Semester: Practicum 3

Candidates report to rural elementary classrooms for one full day a week over 10-12 weeks. Lesson and/or tutorial work is built into the science and math methods courses where students develop and implement mini-lessons within their courses and, if possible, in elementary classrooms. Students have an opportunity to familiarize themselves with children acquiring English as a second language through working in classrooms with ESL students, whenever possible.

Field Experience 4th Semester: Practicum 4: The Pre-Internship

Besides the full-time internship, this is the most intensive and demanding of the field experiences. The field experience is actually a core course - EDE4942: Integrated Teaching in Elementary Education. The purpose of this field experience is to move students from thinking like college students to thinking like teachers and to prepare them for their full-time internship. UEP students, working in pairs, are assigned to elementary classrooms in schools identified as Professional Development Schools or PDS schools. These schools have a working and on-going partnership with the UEP program with the dual goals of developing prospective teachers while increasing elementary student achievement and collaboratively working toward school improvement goals. These schools are committed to and believe in the 5-year program as the most effective way to prepare effective teachers for the demands in today’s classrooms. Students are in schools for approximately 16 hours a week for 14 weeks with two hours a week devoted to work with ESOL students. The course assignments are planned in collaboration with the core courses. Implementation and presentation of an inquiry project is required for this placement. While supervisors evaluate the pre-internship experience, letters of recommendation are not provided to students at this point. Supervisors provide a summary of the strengths and areas of improvement noted during the pre-internship. As such, students are able to set goals for their improvement and further development during their full time internship.

Preparing to Graduate

√ Graduation check: To insure that all graduation requirements have been met,

request a graduation check be conducted prior to the beginning of the senior year. The request should be made to the Office of Student Services in G416 Norman Hall. The check will determine whether or not (1) lower level undergraduate course requirements have been met and (2) program requirements are being met; i.e. 3.0 GPA or higher, meeting all required competencies assessed on the Educator Assessment System, passed all courses with a grade of “C” or higher.

√ Submit degree application for the Bachelor’s degree: The degree application is

available in Criser Hall and . The form is due early during the semester of anticipated graduation—usually about a month after classes begin. It is very important that the degree application be submitted by the published deadline. A student not submitting the degree application cannot graduate. (Check UF calendar for exact due date )

√ Subject Area Exam for Florida Teacher Certification Examination – Take the subject area portion of the FTCE examination. You are required to have passed this exam prior to graduating with your Bachelor of Arts in Education degree. Scores must be received in the Office of Student Services (Florida Dept. of Ed. sends them.) prior to 30 days before the date of commencement.

√ Educator Assessment System and FEAPS - All Florida Education Accomplished Practices must be met in order for students to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. FEAPs are integrated within various courses and instructors determine whether or not each FEAP addressed in their specific course is met. They then enter their rating on the Educator Assessment System (EAS) . Students should check their ratings at the end of each semester to ensure that instructors have entered ratings for them and to ensure that all ratings are at a level of “DEVELOPING” or higher.

Thinking Ahead: Preparing for the Fifth Year – Start Your Senior Year!

Preparation for entering the fifth year of the Unified Elementary Proteach program begins early in the senior year. The following list is provided to assist students in successful preparation for entering the graduate phase of their UEP program.

During the Senior Year

√ Take the Graduate Record Exam: All UEP students must submit GRE scores as part of the application file for admission to the master’s degree programs. Information regarding the GRE including cost, registration information, and administration is available at the GRE web site (). It is recommended to take the GRE at beginning of the senior year or the summer prior. Students should take the GRE by the end of the third semester in the program.

▪ You must score high enough on the GRE to meet the international student minimums to be considered for graduate school: 140 on verbal and 136 quantitative. Average scores for GRE are 144 on the quantitative and 153 on the verbal sections. While these are the scores you should “shoot for,” if you do not attain those scores it does not necessarily mean you would not be admitted. If you have scores significantly below these scores, you may be asked to re-take the GRE before being admitted. It rare that a GRE score alone would prevent a student from being admitted to graduate school.

√ Submit application for Graduate School Admission: Check the STL website for

deadlines to submit applications. Typically, deadlines are as follows:

September 15th – Deadline to be Admitted Spring Semester

January 15th – Deadline to be Admitted Summer Semester

February 15th – Deadline to be Admitted Fall Semester

Applications should be submitted online . Applications should include GRE scores and 3 letters of recommendation. At least two letters of recommendation should be from faculty members or graduate instructors who have taught students in class or supervised clinical work. A GPA of 3.0 is required for admission to graduate school. During graduate coursework, GPA must be at least 3.0 overall and in the major department. Courses taken in other departments are not computed in the major area grade point average for graduation.

√ Taking Graduate Coursework the Senior Year: Graduate level course work may be taken during the senior year. However, keep in mind that taking graduate level coursework does not mean you are necessarily accepted into the graduate program. Additionally, any graduate courses taken as a under-graduate student where a B or higher is not earned will NOT transfer to the master’s program and will not count toward the 36 hours of required credit to graduate at the end of the 5th year with a Master’s degree. 15 hours of graduate credit taken as an undergraduate with senior standing may be transferred into the graduate program for all courses earning a B or higher. Graduate courses earning a “B-“ or a “C” or below can transfer into the graduate program.

√ Submit an application for internship: Applications for fall and spring internships

are due February 1 and September 1 respectively and are turned in to the Office of Student Services . An orientation meeting for interns is held during reading days each semester. The orientation is mandatory for all interns. Information about exact dates, times, and locations for the meetings will be made available each semester on the Student Services Website:



Most UEP students complete their internships locally (Gainesville and areas within a 60 mile radius of the city of Gainesville). However, UEP students may request a distant placement in school districts outside the 60 - mile radius, although there is not guarantee that such a request will be granted.

UEP students requesting distant internships should be aware of the following:

• Distant placements are approved only for UEP students who successfully

complete pre-internship placements. Any students with Performance

Improvement Plans during pre-internship will normally not be approved for distant

placements.

• Distant placement requests are usually not approved without at least 3 students

requesting placement in the same district.

• It is the UEP student’s responsibility to complete background screenings or

any other documentation required by the district for which the request is

made. The student is responsible for any fees incurred.

√ Take the Florida Teacher Certification Exam(s): UEP students must pass required certification exam(s) prior to completion of their program. Information packets including registration forms and administration dates are available in the Office of Student Services. The General Knowledge Exam should have been taken upon admission. The Elementary Ed K-6 Subject Area Exam is taken during the senior year and passing scores must be received before being cleared to graduate with a BAE and the Professional Education Exam must be taken in the fifth year, passed, and scores received to being cleared to graduate with a Master’s Degree.

√ Plan coursework: All UEP students are assigned a faculty advisor who can

answer questions regarding graduate coursework, programs of study, and admission to post- baccalaureate or master’s programs for the fifth year of the UEP programs.

UEP students seeking admission to the Department of Special Education for the

dual certification option may request information regarding admission and the fifth year of study in Room G315.

Graduate School

The UEP program boasts a high rate of graduate school acceptance and admission among its candidates! While students are not automatically admitted into the graduate program, UEP program candidates were initially accepted into the program due to their academic excellence and as such, it is not surprising the acceptance rate into graduate school is very, very high.

Process for Admission Into Graduate School

Students submit an application on-line (online ). In addition, students submit three (3) letters of recommendation from UEP faculty and instructors as well as their GRE scores. The decision as to whether or not a student is admitted into graduate school is based upon a holistic evaluation considering the student’s GPA, faculty and instructor recommendations, GRE performance, and the quality of the Personal Goals Statement provided on the application.

GRE scores are expected to meet at least international student minimums of 140 on the verbal section. GRE verbal and quantitative scores range from 130 – 170. Combined scores range from 260 – 340. The Office of Graduate Studies evaluates all applications holistically with the GRE score as one data point considered in this evaluation. Weighing just as heavily is the upper division GPA and letters of recommendation.

GPA is weighted heavily in the decision regarding graduate school admission. A 3.0 GPA is required for consideration. A higher GPA can sometimes serve to off-set a GRE score lower than desired.

Faculty / Instructor Recommendation

Also weighted heavily are recommendations provided by faculty members and course instructors. It is to the student’s advantage to attend all classes regularly, submit assignments in a timely manner, and engage in a high rate of participation in class sessions from the first course taken!

Personal Goals Statement

The personal goals statement demonstrates the writing proficiency of the student as well as the student’s level of commitment and reflection. It is essential that time be taken in preparing the statement.

The Fifth Year

The most exciting year in the UEP program is the fifth year – the graduate year. During the fifth year, students complete their full-time, full-year internship and pursue advanced studies in the field of elementary education culminating with the awarding of a Master’s in Education degree. While still pre-service teachers, UEP candidates in the fifth year think and behave like professionals entering the exciting world of teaching. Graduate courses are designed to refine knowledge and skills in order to enhance the effectiveness and impact of UEP candidates during their internship and upon entering the teaching profession.

Full-Time Internship

Full – time internships, sometimes referred to as student teaching, last an entire school year or three semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer A) in the elementary single certification program. Internships in the dual certification are generally two semesters with the first semester as a practicum semester and the second an internship semester. Both can be done in the same classroom or in different classrooms.

Internships can begin fall or spring semesters depending upon your point of entry into the UEP program and take place in Florida public schools. Each experience affords students with a wonderful way to practice their skills in managing classrooms, providing instruction, and working collaboratively with other teachers and families. The internship, EDE6948, is a 12-credit course divided into 3 phases; i.e. Internship 1, 2, and 3. Additionally, students take companion courses designed to enhance the internship experience and effectiveness in classroom management, as well as literacy, mathematics, science, and technology instruction.

Students complete an internship application where they may make requests pertaining to the type of internship experience they desire; i.e. grade level, type of school such as rural or urban, etc. Students are notified of their internship assignments, school and teacher, a few weeks prior to the internship beginning. University intern supervisors are responsible for guiding the internship experience and conduct formal and informal observations as well as holding seminar sessions to support interns and ensure their understanding of internship expectations.

The internship is a culminating experience highly valued by UEP students who recognize without the internship, the first year of teaching would been excessively challenging and could discourage continuation in the teaching profession. For many districts, candidates with a full-time internship are not considered for hire. The internship is built into both the master’s program and post-bac program.

TIPS For Success

☞ Download the UEP Handbook each year and refer to often.

☞ Always attend your UEP classes as they each have absentee policies and you are expected to attend all class sessions, most of which are delivered in 3 – period blocks of time. Failure to attend classes and submit class assignments in a timely manner is the primary reason for students who are not successful in the UEP program.

☞ Starting semester one, save all major assignments, projects, lesson plans that

demonstrate your progress on Florida Accomplished Practices. This information may be used in developing other projects in later terms.

☞ Plan to attend SUMMER SCHOOL to add courses that accompany the core courses,

therefore lightening your load during the fall and spring semesters.

☞ Plan ahead for transportation and for increasing responsibilities and time

commitments in field placements; these increase each semester and you will need to

redirect some resources and time to meet these program requirements. (Note: Your

employment commitments may need to change!)

☞ Begin planning now for financing your graduate year in the program. Without completion of the program, you will not be eligible for professional certification, the ESOL endorsement, or Florida Reading Endorsement

☞ Plan to take the GRE early, at least by the end of the third semester. If you qualify for financial aid, you could get a fee waiver for the GRE.

☞ Work within your cohort to develop flexibility, collaboration skills, effective listening

and professional communications within your group and in advocacy activities.

☞ If possible, try to find links within your courses to integrate your assignments! Try to

extend an assignment to include the requirements of two courses. Teaching is about

integrating curriculum and most instructors encourage you to find links between the

courses in the program.

☞ The electronic assessment indicator system automatically tracks your progress in

demonstrating the FEAPs. If you receive an e-mail from the Educator Assessment

System, respond immediately!!

Appendices

Appendix A

Florida Educator Accomplished Practices

FEAP (2)(a)1.

Applying concepts from human development and learning theories, consistently:

a. Align instruction with state-adopted standards at the appropriate level of rigor;

b. Sequence lessons and concepts to ensure coherence and required prior knowledge;

c. Design instruction for students to achieve mastery;

d. Select appropriate formative assessments to monitor learning;

e. Use a variety of data, independently, and in collaboration with colleagues, to evaluate learning outcomes, adjust planning, and continuously improve effectiveness of the lessons; and,

f. Develop learning experiences that require students to demonstrate a variety of applicable skills and competencies.

FEAP (2)(a)2.

Maintain student-centered learning environment that is safe, organized, equitable, flexible, inclusive, and collaborative:

a. Organize, allocate, and manage resources of time, space and attention;

b. Manage individual and class behaviors through a well-planned management system;

c. Convey high expectations to all students;

d. Respect students’ cultural, linguistic, and family background;

e. Model clear, acceptable oral and written communication skills;

f. Maintain a climate of openness, inquiry, fairness, and support;

g. Integrate current information and communication technologies;

h. Adapt the learning environment to accommodate the differing needs and diversity of students; and,

i. Utilize current and emerging assistive technologies that enable students to participate in high-quality communication interactions and achieve their educational goals.

FEAP(2)(a)3.

Consistently utilize a deep and comprehensive knowledge of the subject taught to:

a. Deliver engaging and challenging lessons;

b. Deepen and enrich students’ understanding through content area literacy strategies, verbalization of thought, and application of the subject matter;

c. Identify gaps in students’ subject matter knowledge;

d. Modify instruction to respond to preconceptions or misconceptions;

e. Relate and integrate the subject matter with other disciplines and life experiences;

f. Employ higher-order questioning techniques;

g. Apply varied instructional strategies and resources, including appropriate technology to provide comprehensible instruction, and to teach for student understanding;

h. Differentiate instruction based on an assessment of student learning needs and recognition of individual differences in students;

i. Support, encourage, and provide immediate and specific feedback to students to promote student achievement; and,

j. Utilize student feedback to monitor instructional needs and to adjust FEAP (2)(a)4.

Assessment: Consistently:

a. Analyze and apply data from multiple assessments and measures to diagnose students’ learning needs, inform instruction based on those needs, and drive the learning process;

b. Design and align formative and summative assessments that match learning objects and lead to mastery;

c. Use a variety of assessment tools to monitor student progress, achievement, and learning gains;

d. Modify assessments and testing conditions to accommodate learning styles and varying levels of knowledge;

e. Share the importance and outcomes of student assessment data with the student and the student’s parent/caregiver(s); and,

f. Apply technology to organize and integrate assessment information.

FEAP (2) (b) 1. Continuous Professional Improvement.

Consistently:

a. Design purposeful professional goals to strengthen the effectiveness of instruction based on students’ needs;

b. Examines and uses data-informed research to improve instruction and student achievement;

c. Collaborate with the homes, school and larger communities to foster communication and to support student learning and continuous improvement;

d. Engage in targeted professional growth opportunities and reflective practices, both independently and in collaboration with colleagues; and

e. Implement knowledge and skills learned in professional development in teaching and learning process.

FEAP (2) (b) 2. Professional Responsibility and Ethical Conduct. Understanding that educators are held to a high moral standard in a community, the effective educator and intern adheres to the Code of Ethics and the Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession of Florida, pursuant to State Board of Education Rules 6G-1.001 and 6B-1.006, F.A.C. and fulfills the expected obligations to students, the public and the education profession.

Appendix B

Contacts

School of Teaching and Learning

Dr. Elizabeth Bondy, Director

bondy@coe.ufl.edu

(352) 273-4242

Dr. Suzanne Colvin, Associate Director

Coordinator of Elementary Programs

scolvin@coe.ufl.edu; (352) 273-4218

Ms. Robin Crawford

peeke@coe.ufl.edu; (352) 273-4217

Special Education

Dr. Jean Crockett , Chair

jcrockett@coe.ufl.edu; 352-273-4292

Dr. Penny Cox, Graduate Coordinator

pcox@coe.ufl.edu ; 352-273-4280

Dr. Marty League

mleague@coe.ufl.edu; 352-273-4282

Office of Student Services

Dr. Theresa Vernetson

Assistant Dean

tbv@coe.ufl.edu; 352-273-4376,

Ms. Robin Rossie

rrossie@coe.ufl.edu; 352-273-4377

Ms. Rebecca Kidwell

rkidwell@coe.ufl.edu; 352-273-4379

Appendix C

Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE) Requirement

for Elementary Proteach Students

FTCE Requirement for Elementary ProTeach – Single Certification Track

General Knowledge

Subject Area Exam: Elementary Education K-6

Professional Education

FTCE Requirement for Elementary ProTeach – Dual Certification Track

General Knowledge

Subject Area Exam: Elementary Education K-6

Subject Area Exam: Exceptional Student Education K-12

Professional Education

Requirements for ProTeach Students

• Passing scores on the General Knowledge and Elementary Education (K-6) Subject

Area Exam must be on file in the Office of Student Services prior to completion of

the Bachelor’s program.

• Passing scores on the Professional Education Exam (and ESE Subject Area Exam for

Dual Certification) must be on file in the Office of Student Services prior to

completion of the fifth year of the program.

Requirements for ProTeach Students Admitted Prior to Fall 2006

• Passing scores on ALL relevant portions of the FTCE must be on file in the Office of

Student Services prior to completion of the fifth year of the program.

Important Notes

Computer-based testing is available for all certification testing including the General Knowledge exam, the Subject Area exam(s), and the Professional

Education exam.

• Visit the Office of Student Services to discuss testing options, get registration and study

materials and ask questions about these requirements.

• Rebecca Kidwell, rkidwell@coe.ufl.edu, Student Teaching

Coordinator, Office of Student Services (G-416)

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