1996-1997 catalog

Elementary Education Programs

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS ELEMENTARY

The Elementary Education Program is a selective teacher education program. In order to obtain an elementary teaching license, all students (B.Ed. majors, elementary education minors, and post-baccalaureate) must not only complete one of the three above options, they also must apply and be admitted to the Elementary Teacher Education Program. Admission to UAF as a degree student majoring in education does not automatically qualify a student for admission to the Elementary Teacher Education Program. Admission to the program is based on a comprehensive system that includes more than one measure and is used by the education faculty to assess the personal characteristics, communications, and basic skills proficiency of candidates preparing to teach.

Once in the program, there is ongoing professional assessment with two formal reviews which monitor the progress of elementary education students from admission through completion of their professional education program. One review is prior to entry to the professional year (which begins with the methods block), and one prior to entry to student teaching. These reviews include an evaluation of grades, observations, faculty recommendations, demonstrated competence in academic work, and recommendations from the appropriate professionals in the schools. Consistent procedures and relevant criteria are used to determine eligibility for student teaching. Systematic approaches are used to assist education students who are making unsatisfactory progress in this program. Specific admission procedures and criteria for each of these three steps for the Fairbanks and rural programs are described in the following sections.

Fairbanks Campus Program Elementary

1. Admission to elementary education program (B.Ed. major, elementary education minor, and licensure)
   In order to be considered for admission to the elementary education program, students must:
   
   1. Submit a complete application, including all required transcripts and references, in accordance with deadlines.
   2. Complete a minimum of 45 semester credits, (up to 30 transfer credits may be used).
   3. Students will be chosen for the program based on the following multiple measures which will be weighed and assessed by various means, including but not limited to faculty rating forms, letters of reference, university transcripts, writing samples, and evaluations from University-sponsored practicum placements. The range and balance in these four areas will be considered in a review by the faculty. Questions faculty will ask in this review include: does the student have:
      
      1. a solid academic background (a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7)
      2. interpersonal, intercultural, and communication skills
      3. successful experience in one or more of the following contexts:
         
         1. preschool or public school classrooms
         2. other settings with children
         3. rural Alaska
         4. culturally diverse settings
      4. practical skills and life experiences
2. Review criteria for entry to elementary education professional year (methods block and student teaching)
   
   1. Acceptance to the elementary education program.
   2. Placement information form on file with Elementary Education Office by October 1 to begin the professional year during the spring semester or by February 15 to begin the professional year during the fall semester. Students are admitted for a specific semester, and must reapply if their schedule changes.
   3. Completion of 100 credits leading to a bachelor's degree.
   4. Completion of all required education courses (except ED 410, 411, 412, and 413) and all required math courses, with a minimum grade of "C" in education and math courses and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7.
   5. Approval of Elementary Education Committee to enter the professional year.
   A maximum of 15 credits per semester is recommended while enrolled in the professional year.
3. Review criteria for entry to elementary education student teaching:
   
   1. Successful completion of Methods Block.
   2. Placement information for student teaching on file with the Office of Practica Experience by October 1 for student teaching in the spring semester or by February 15 for student teaching in the fall semester.
   3. A completed physical examination.
   4. Approval of faculty to enter student teaching. Students who feel they have experience comparable to student teaching may petition to have the requirement reduced or waived. See the Coordinator of the Office of Practica Experience regarding this procedure. Rural placements for student teaching are also available. Contact the Office of Practica Experience for further information.
   5. Students who meet all of the above requirements at another university must complete at least 9 credits in Education courses at UAF.

Rural Program Elementary

Students outside the Fairbanks area should contact the Rural Education Program faculty at the nearest UAF rural campus for specific admission and degree requirements.

Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Elementary Education B.Ed. Degree

1. Complete general university requirements.
2. Complete the following degree and program (major) requirements:
   
   1. Humanities (9 credits)
      LING 101 Nature of Language (3)
      Electives (6 credits)
   2. Social Sciences (9 credits)
      ANTH 242 Native Cultures of Alaska (3)
      PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology (3)
      PSY 240 Lifespan Developmental Psychology (3)
   3. Mathematics (6 credits)
      MATH 205 Math. for Elementary School Teachers (3)
      MATH 206 Math. for Elementary School Teachers II (3)
   4. Complete one of the concentrations listed below:
      Each concentration must have a minimum of 12 upper division credits (except Early Childhood). Core requirements (except Communication requirements) may be counted toward these concentrations.
      
      1. Humanities (30 credits)
         At least 12 credits concentrated in Art, or English, or Music
      2. Social Science (30 credits)
         At least 12 credits concentrated in one discipline
      3. Mathematics and/or Science (29 credits)
         At least 12 credits concentrated in one discipline
      4. ESL/Applied Linguistics (21 credits)
         ENGL 318 Modern English Grammar (3)
         ENGL 462 Applied English Linguistics (3)
         ANS 320 Language and Ethnicity (3)
         Credits in a language (6)
         Approved linguistics courses (6)
      5. Alaska Native Language/Bilingual (25-27 credits)
         Credits in one Alaska Native language (16-18 credits)
         ANL 287-288 Teaching Methods/Curriculum and Materials Development (6)
         ANL 215 or 216 Alaska Native Languages (3)
      6. Early Childhood (18 credits)
         12 credits of approved Early Childhood courses plus 6 upper division credits from one of the following:
         
         • Art
         • Early Childhood
         • English
         • Music
         • Physical Education
         • Communication
         • Theater
   5. Education --- complete the following:
      Foundation/Theory Courses
      ED 201 Introduction to Education (3)
      ED 330 Diagnosis and Evaluation of Learning (3)
      ED 350 Communications in Cross-Cultural Classrooms (3)
      ED 375 The Exceptional Learner (3)
      Education Foundation Elective (ED 345, 346, 380, 440, 450, 422, ANS 420) (3)
      Physical Education Elective (PE 316, 317 or 327) (2 or 3)
      ED 304 Literature for Children (3)
      Art Education Elective (ED 309, 310) (3)
      Methods Block Courses
      ED 410 Foundations of Literacy Development (3)
      ED 411 Strat. for Reading/Writing Instr. in Multicultural Classrooms (3)
      ED 412 Language Arts and Social Studies: Methods and Curriculum Development (3)
      ED 413 Math. and Science: Methods and Curriculum Development (3)
      ED 452 Elementary Student Teaching (12)
      (Candidates who have successfully taught full-time in self-contained elementary classrooms may request a reduced student teaching experience. Contact the Office of Practica Experience for further information.)
      Minimum credits required 130

Post-Baccalaureate Elementary Licensure Program

Post-baccalaureate students who wish to obtain an Elementary License should contact the UAF School of Education to obtain course requirements and application procedures for admission to the Teacher Education Program. Students must have completed the necessary prerequisites and have been admitted to the Teacher Education Program prior to acceptance for placement in methods courses and student teaching.

Course requirements are the same as those for Elementary Education Minor with Licensure.