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Education (EDU)

Kerry Bostwick (chair), Jill Heinrich, Gayle Luck, Stephanie Mackler

Admission to the Teacher Education Program and to Student Teaching

Cornell offers a major in Elementary Education and coursework for students seeking secondary certification. Students desiring to be certified to teach in the public and private K-12 schools should apply before December 1 of their sophomore year to the Education Department for admission to the Teacher Education Program, using the forms available on-line (http://www.cornellcollege.edu/education) and from the Education Office in Room 103 of College Hall. Those seeking admission to the Teacher Education Program in their junior year must have special permission from the chair of the Education Department to apply.

The following additional conditions must be met before the Education Department will approve the application: the student must (1) have filed a Declaration of Degree Program and Major(s) with the Registrar; (2) have completed two 200-level Education courses; (3) have a Cornell cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher; (4) have submitted one positive letter of recommendation from a faculty member outside the Education Department; (5) be in good standing - not on probation - academically and with the Cornell Division of Student Affairs; and (6) have successfully achieved passing scores on the Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Tests.

Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Tests

Successful completion of the Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Tests is required for all Cornell students seeking admission to the Teacher Education Program. These tests determine college-level competence in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. It is strongly recommended that students register to take the Praxis tests during the spring of their freshman year or the fall of their sophomore year. These exams are given by Educational Testing Service (at Iowa City and numerous other nationwide locations) during August, September, November, January, March, April, and June of each year. The department recommends that students take the Praxis I exam no later than November of their sophomore year. Registration for the Praxis I exam is due one month in advance and score reports are available 4-6 weeks after the tests are taken. Specific dates for each academic year are posted early in the Registration Bulletin and sample questions are available at the Education Office in Room 103 of College Hall. The registration fee is approximately $150.00 and is the responsibility of the student. Students must receive a score of 175 or above on the reading section, 173 or above on the mathematics section, and 173 or above on the writing section. If students score below the cut-off on one or more tests, they will be required to retake the test on which a low score was awarded. If the student's scores, after taking the test the second time, still fall below the minimum, admission is possible on the following criteria:

  1. A score of at least 170 (computer score of 312) on any section of the Praxis I;
  2. Grades of B or higher in all Education courses completed at the time of taking the Praxis I;
  3. Exceptional recommendations from Education faculty members;
  4. Exceptional recommendations from the general faculty;
  5. A grade of B or higher in a writing intensive course;
  6. A grade of B or higher in any Cornell math or statistics course; and
  7. ACT scores of 25 or higher in English and math.

All students must meet this requirement and have passing scores on file in the Education Department by February of their sophomore year before they can register for 300-level Education courses.

The final decision on admission rests with the Education Department and will be made after evaluating a completed application, the student's academic performance, and professional dispositions in the Cornell classroom. Before taking her/his first 200-level Education course, each student must access the department information on-line and study it carefully. Students may not undertake 300-level Education courses until they are admitted to the Teacher Education Program.

In order to be admitted to student teaching, students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.7 or higher, complete a Student Teacher Application and Preference form by January 15 of the junior year, complete all the required 200-level Education courses with a minimum 2.7 grade point average and all 300-level Education courses with a minimum 2.7 grade point average, be recommended by the chair of the Education Department, and be accepted by a local mentor classroom teacher. Before being admitted to student teaching, a student seeking secondary certification must have completed six course credits in the teaching subject matter major. For 2008-09 student teaching must be done during three consecutive terms: preferably Terms One, Two, and Three of the senior year or a fifth year, unless unusual circumstances, certified by the student's advisor and the chair of the Education Department, demand otherwise. Beginning with the 2009-10 academic year, four consecutive terms of student teaching will be required: preferably Terms One, Two, Three, and Four of the senior year or a fifth year. Students desiring to student teach in Chicago must apply to the Academic Standing Committee by February 1 of their junior year. See Index. Off-Campus Programs. All student teaching assignments are made within thirty miles of Mount Vernon or in Chicago unless exceptional personal circumstances exist. Students should refer to the Education Department's web site for an in-depth review of off-campus student teaching requests.

Recommendation for Certification

After a student has successfully completed three consecutive terms (four consecutive terms beginning 2009-10) of student teaching, the senior seminar, and has received a baccalaureate degree, the Education Department, in consultation with the student's mentor teacher, will make the final decision on Cornell College's recommendation for state certification. A criminal background check is required. Completion of student teaching and certification requirements does NOT guarantee recommendation for a teaching certification.

All students should note that teacher certifications are issued by individual states; therefore, if students believe they may be moving to a location outside of Iowa after being graduated, they should examine the specific requirements for the state(s) in question and plan for meeting these additional requirements. Normally, Iowa certification holders meet with little difficulty when applying for out-of-state certification. Information on all state certification requirements can be found in the Education Office in College Hall.

Teacher Education Program

Whether a candidate for the B.A., B.Mus., or B.S.S. degree, every elementary education major and every student seeking secondary certification must complete the following requirements. B.A. candidates should note that not all the options for satisfying the B.A. requirements will satisfy the State of Iowa's General Education requirements for licensure, which are:

  1. One course in the humanities selected from: (1) English and Foreign Language, (2) History, (3) Philosophy, (4) Religion, or (5) Art, Music, or Theatre.

  2. A college-level course in mathematics or statistics. Students who earned a score of 4 or 5 on the College Entrance Examination Board's Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus or Statistics examinations or exemption on the Cornell Calculus Advanced Placement test are not required to complete additional courses in mathematics. This requirement may also be satisfied by taking a summer school mathematics course approved in advance by the Cornell Department of Mathematics.

  3. Two courses in natural science.

  4. One course in a behavioral science selected from Anthropology, Psychology, or Sociology.

  5. One course in a social science selected from Economics and Business, Politics, or, if not taken to satisfy the behavioral requirement, Anthropology or Sociology.

  6. One of the following programs:

Elementary Education Major: A minimum of 12 course credits in Education (minimum of 13 course credits in Education beginning 2009-10), which include EDU 205, 215, 230, 240, 314, 317, 318, 319, 410, 420, 430, (440 beginning in 2009-10), and 483; two of the following courses: ART 371 (Art Methods), KIN 324 (Elementary Physical Education Methods), or MUS 301 (Elementary School Music). A second major or the completion of a six-course certification area in one of the following teaching subjects: history, science, language arts, or social studies is strongly recommended. Students should be careful to check the degree requirements of all states they may be considering for relocation. When recommended by the Education Department, the completion of the Elementary Education major qualifies the student for a K-6 teaching certification in the State of Iowa.

Coursework for Secondary Certification: A minimum of 10 course credits in Education (11 courses beginning 2009-10), which include EDU 205, 215, 230, 240, 328, 410, 420, 430, (440 beginning 2009-10), and 483; a methods course in your content area: ART 371 (Art Methods), EDU 308, 322, 324, KIN 331 (Physical Education Methods for Secondary Schools), LAL 308 (Language Teaching Methodology), or MUS 331 (Music Education Seminar); and an approved teaching major in the area of certification. A list of approved teaching majors is available from the Education Office. The requirements for these are set forth in the departmental listings under the rubric ``Teaching Major.'' Students seeking secondary certification in Kinesiology, Music, French, German, Latin, Russian, or Spanish must consult the appropriate department for the special requirements pertaining to courses in methods of instruction. When recommended by the Education Department, the completion of coursework for secondary certification and an approved teaching major qualify the student for a 5-12 teaching certification in the State of Iowa.

Second Teaching Areas for Students Seeking Secondary Certification: Students who have a teaching major in Economics and Business, History, Politics, Psychology, or Sociology, or an individualized major in Anthropology must add one or more of the following areas as a second certification area: American Government, Anthropology, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, United States History, or World History. The requirements for these second teaching areas are described under the respective departmental listings and are also available from the Education Office. Students with teaching majors in Biology, Chemistry, Geology, or Physics should consider adding one or more of the following areas as a second certification area: Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics or the all-science certification area. Details on the requirements for certification are found in the Education Office.

Title II Reporting Summary. The annual report required by Title II of the 1998 Higher Education Act is on file in the Education Office. The Cornell College Teacher Education Program is accredited by the Iowa Department of Education and meets all of the requirements of Title II. The Cornell College Teacher Education Program is in good standing with the State of Iowa and the federal government and is NOT listed as a low-performing Teacher Education Program.

Transportation: Students are responsible for their own transportation, at their own expense, when coursework requires their presence in off-campus classrooms and internships.

205. Foundations of Education
This course explores the philosophical, social, cultural, and historical foundations of education. The class draws heavily upon prominent educational philosophers from Plato to today with the aim of introducing students to the ideas that shape educational practices. Students are encouraged to question, explore, and develop their own thoughts about what education is and should be. In particular, the course explores such questions as: Why do we educate? What does it mean to be educated? What are learning and teaching? What is and should be the relationship between school and society? What is the relationship between democracy and education? How do historical and contemporary educational practices embody philosophical ideas? (Humanities) MACKLER

215. Educational Psychology
The factors that influence the nature and quality of growth, development, and learning during the educational process. Examination, through the use of recent research and illustrative examples, of important psychological characteristics of children and adolescents as learners, and of teachers and the teaching process in the elementary and secondary schools. Twelve hours of observation-practicum in the schools. Students must provide their own transportation. (Social Science) BOSTWICK

230. Exceptional Learner
An introduction to the basic characteristics of persons with special needs and how they can best be educated in the K-12 schools. All categories of students served under IDEA 2004 and Sec. 504 will be considered. Topics include legal mandates, inclusion, mental retardation, learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, speech and language disorders, hearing impairment, visual impairment, physical disabilities, and giftedness. Fifteen hours of observation-practicum in the schools. Students must provide their own transportation. (Social Science) LUCK

240. Human Relations
The study of prejudice and discrimination in race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, and sexuality. Topics include the ways of life, history, cultural contributions, and educational experiences of Americans with African, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American Indian ancestry. A careful study of individual and group values, lifestyles, cultural and sexual diversity, and persons with handicapping conditions. (Social Science) HEINRICH

260 through 265. Topics in Education
In-depth study of selected topics in the field of education.

308. Language Teaching Methodology
Same course as LAL 308 (see for course description). Required of all foreign language and ESL teaching majors. Thirty hours of observation-practicum in the schools. This course must be taken PRIOR to student teaching for students seeking foreign language certification. Students must provide their own transportation. Prerequisites: 205 course in a foreign language and EDU 215. Alternate years.

314. Methods of Elementary Mathematics
Current elementary school methods, materials of instruction, lesson planning, computer applications, student assessment, and classroom management. Thirty hours of observation-practicum in the schools. Students must provide their own transportation. This course must be taken PRIOR to student teaching. Prerequisites: EDU 205, 215, 230, 240, admission to the Teacher Education Program, and junior standing. BOSTWICK

317. Methods of Elementary Science and Social Studies
Current elementary school methods in the teaching of natural science and social studies. Special emphasis on the development of interdisciplinary methods, the development of curricular units, lesson design, computer applications, student assessment, and classroom management. Thirty hours of observation-practicum in the schools. Students must provide their own transportation. This course must be taken PRIOR to student teaching. Prerequisite: EDU 314. BOSTWICK

318. Methods of Elementary Language Arts and Reading
Current elementary school methods in the teaching of reading, instructional planning, language acquisition, student assessment, and teaching materials in the field of elementary language arts and reading. Reading Recovery, Title I, and other reading support programs are addressed. Development of a curriculum unit in both subject areas. Thirty hours of observation-practicum in the schools. Students must provide their own transportation. This course must be taken PRIOR to student teaching. Prerequisite: EDU 317. LUCK

319. Children's Literature
Comparative study of literary texts for children, including instructional planning, the teaching of reading, the use of literature with elementary students, and student assessment. Thirty hours of observation-practicum in the schools. Students must provide their own transportation. This course must be taken PRIOR to student teaching. Prerequisite: EDU 318. LUCK

322. Secondary Arts, Languages, and Adolescent Literature
Current secondary school issues in pedagogy and classroom management, including subject matter and instructional planning in the methods of teaching art, English/language arts, reading, speech communications, adolescent literature, and foreign languages. Development of lesson plans, curriculum units, reading in the content area, the study of computer applications, and student assessment. Thirty hours of observation-practicum in the schools. Students must provide their own transportation. This course must be taken PRIOR to student teaching. Prerequisites: EDU 205, 215, 230, 240, admission to the Teacher Education Program, and junior standing. HEINRICH

324. Secondary Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies
Current secondary school issues in pedagogy and classroom management, including instructional planning and methods of teaching mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, and history. Development of lesson plans, curriculum units, reading in the content areas, student assessment, and the study of computer applications. Thirty hours of observation-practicum in the schools. Students must provide their own transportation. This course must be taken PRIOR to student teaching. Prerequisites: EDU 205, 215, 230, 240, admission to the Teacher Education Program, and junior standing. MACKLER

328. Reading in the Content Areas
Current best practice methodology, techniques, and strategies for teaching reading to middle and high school students. Lesson planning for incorporating reading and adolescent literature into all secondary curricular areas. Classroom management, computer application, student assessment, and forty hours of observation-practicum in the local schools. Students must provide their own transportation. This course must be taken PRIOR to student teaching. Prerequisites: EDU 205, 215, 230, 240, admission to the Teacher Education Program, and junior standing. HEINRICH

380. Internship: see Courses 280/380.

390. Individual Project: see Courses 290/390.

410-420-430(-440 beginning 2009-10). Student Teaching I, II, & III (IV beginning 2009-10)
A 12-week (16-week beginning 2009-10) clinical teaching experience under the direction of Cornell faculty and certified K-12 school teachers in approved elementary or secondary schools. A weekly on-campus evening seminar is required. These three courses (four courses beginning 2009-10) must be scheduled in consecutive terms during the senior year or during a fifth year. Required for a teaching certification recommendation. Students must provide their own transportation. Prerequisite: All 200- and 300-level Education courses and approval of the Education Department. (CR) BOSTWICK, HEINRICH, LUCK, MACKLER, or Director of Student Teaching

440. Student Teaching IV (required beginning 2009-10)
An additional four-week term of student teaching required of those students seeking unrelated certifications or certifications at both the K-6 and 5-12 levels. Students must provide their own transportation. Prerequisite: EDU 430. (CR) BOSTWICK, HEINRICH, LUCK, MACKLER, or Director of Student Teaching

450-460-470-471. Music Student Teaching I, II, III, & IV
A 16-week clinical teaching experience under the direction of Cornell faculty and certified K-12 school teachers in approved elementary or secondary schools. A weekly on-campus evening seminar is required. These four courses must be scheduled in consecutive terms during the senior year or during a fifth year. Required for a teaching certification recommendation. Students must provide their own transportation. Prerequisites: MUS 331 (Music Education Seminar), 431 (Methods and Materials for Music Education), senior standing, and approval of the Music Department. (CR)

483. Senior Seminar
Critical examination of current educational controversies, reform ideas, ethical considerations, legal questions, and administrative problems facing modern American education. Students will compile a detailed professional portfolio in both notebook and electronic formats, a five-year professional development plan, a research paper, and will receive evaluation and assessment feedback from faculty on their strengths, weaknesses, accomplishments, and future plans. Prerequisite: successful completion of EDU 430 (440 beginning 2009-10), 470, or CCU 966 (Chicago Center). BOSTWICK, HEINRICH, LUCK, or MACKLER

966. Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture
Three terms (four terms beginning 2009-10) of student teaching in Chicago - fall or spring. Students must apply to the Academic Standing Committee by February 1 of their junior year. This is a competitive application and all students may not be accepted. Students must provide their own transportation. Prerequisite: permission of the Education Department. LUCK

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