Grace G. Grissom School of Education

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Chair: Dr. Daniel McMasters
Office: D. W. Johnston Center, Room J228
Telephone: (931) 363-9857
E-mail: dmcmaste@utsouthern.edu

Director of Teacher Education: Dr. Janet Hanvy
Office: D.W. Johnston Center, J232
Telephone: (931)363-9852
E-mail: jhanvy@utsouthern.edu

Professors: Chandler, McMasters
Associate Professor: Cathey
Assistant Professor:Fowler, C. Paul
Instructor: Morefield
Adjunct Faculty: Allen, Bennett, Dunnavant, Ezell, Farrar, Gaines, Hanvy, Hlubb, A. Little, Oster, B. Paul, Watson, Young

The mission of the University of Tennessee Southern’s Grissom School of Education is the development of education professionals who are prepared to participate in professional, social, and technological change; who are committed to lifelong learning, service, and continuing professional development through inquiry and reflective practice; and who work in partnership with a range of constituents to effect change at the local level.

The Grissom School of Education offers the bachelor’s degree in elementary education with licensure to teach grades K-5 a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology with physical education licensure to teach grades K-12, and bachelor’s degree in special education interventionist with licensure for grades K-8 and 6-12. Licensure endorsement is also offered in driver education. Because the licensure programs are professional programs, formal application must be made and approval granted for admission into each program. These requirements are described in the following pages along with the course requirements and recommended curriculum for each program. UT Southern also offers secondary licensure programs which are housed within the appropriate division.

In addition to the above licensure programs, the Grissom School of Education also offers a major in Kinesiology (renamed from Human Performance and Physical Education) with a concentration in Exercise Science as well as a non-licensure option for Elementary Education.

Students interested in a major within the Grissom School of Education should consult the appropriate program coordinator as listed below:

Elementary Education: Melisa Fowler
Secondary Teacher Education: Janet Hanvy
Special Education: Claire Paul
Kinesiology: Michael Cathey

Regulations in effect at the time the student is admitted to the appropriate program within the Grissom School of Education shall be considered binding unless directed otherwise by the Tennessee State Department of Education. That department periodically revises the requirements governing teacher licensure in the state of Tennessee. Therefore, degree requirements leading to licensure in all the University of Tennessee Southern teacher education programs are subject to change from those published in the University catalog. Education students are required to seek advisement from their advisors and/or the program coordinator as early as possible in the program of study to ensure that both degree requirements and licensure requirements are met.

Admission to the Education Program

All education candidates who desire a bachelor’s degree with licensure in any program, including the alternative route in elementary education, are required to apply for admission to the appropriate program during the second semester of the sophomore year. Full admission to the program must be attained no later than the semester prior to clinical practice or no later than the final semester for those students choosing to take the elementary education alternative route. An application must be submitted to the office of the appropriate program coordinator. The application contains the specific requirements for admission to the desired program and will be processed and acted upon by the Teacher Education Committee.

EDU 101 , Education as a Profession; EDU 101L, Education as a Profession Lab; PSY 308 /EDU 308 , Psychology of Learning & Cognition; EDU 360 /SOW 360 , Multicultural Education; and EDU 321 /HPPE 321  Physical Education for Elementary Teachers are the only education courses students may take at UT Southern prior to admission to the education program.

Before beginning any field experiences required in some of the methods and professional education courses, membership in Student Tennessee Education Association (STEA) is required to further familiarize the candidate with professional commitment and involvement responsibilities as well as for insurance liability purposes.

The following are desirable dispositions, from the Educator Disposition Assessment by Almerico, Johnston, and Wilson (2017), that candidates will be expected to demonstrate by the completion of their program to:

• Demonstrate effective oral communication skills
• Demonstrate effective written communication skills
• Demonstrate professionalism
• Demonstrate a positive and enthusiastic attitude
• Demonstrate preparedness in teaching and learning
• Exhibit an appreciation of and value for cultural and academic diversity
• Collaborate effectively with stakeholders
• Demonstrate self-regulated learner behaviors/take initiative

According to the requirements as noted on the application, in addition to a satisfactorily completed application, all education candidates seeking admission to a program shall have:

• a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
• completed at least thirty (30) semester hours
• at least a “B” in EDU 101 , ENG 101 , ENG 102 , and ENG 221 /COMM 221  
• at least a “C” in the appropriate math course listed for that program (see application for specific program requirements)
• made or surpassed state required scores on one of the following standardized tests:

1. a required composite score of 21 on the ACT, or a required combined reading, math, and writing score of 1080 on the new SAT.
2. Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (English, math, reading, and science)

• a satisfactory rating on three copies of the Educator Disposition Assessment completed by the applicant, a University of Tennessee Southern professor, and a UT Southern education professor
• submitted a satisfactory writing sample (essay)
• passed a TBI/FBI background check paid for by the candidate
• satisfactorily completed an admission interview with members of the Teacher Education Committee
• submitted official complete college transcripts
• valid membership in STEA which will be continued until completion of the clinical practice semester
• submitted a signed copy of the Student’s Rights and Responsibilities form
• submitted a Program Admission Portfolio

Formal application for admittance to the education program must be completed and submitted to the office of the program coordinator by March 1 of the spring semester and October 1 of the fall semester prior to the semester in which the education candidates is to be admitted.

The applicant will be notified in writing as to the decision of the Teacher Education Committee. Applicants who are denied admission because of certain deficiencies in their program of study must re-apply for admission once the deficiencies are removed. An appeals process enables education candidates to re-apply to the committee for admission. Any education candidate denied admission a second time may then appeal to the Curriculum and Academic Policy Committee through the Provost.

Admission to Clinical Practice for All Programs

All education candidates who desire Tennessee teacher licensure in any program will engage in fifteen weeks of clinical practice in two different placements (one of eight weeks and one of seven weeks). Candidates shall refer to the Application for Admission to Clinical Practice and the Clinical Practice Handbook for specific requirements for each program. All candidates shall obtain approval for admission to clinical practice from the Teacher Education Committee. Clinical practice placement will be in the state of Tennessee, generally within a 50-mile radius of the University of Tennessee Southern. To be eligible for participation in clinical practice, candidates shall have:

• been admitted to the Teacher Education Program
• completed and submitted to the program coordinator all required components of the Application for Admission to Clinical Practice by the semester prior to clinical practice
• completed all course work except clinical practice and clinical practice seminar
• been classified a senior (90+ hours) by the Registrar’s Office and be within two semesters of graduation
• passed all required sections of the Praxis II
• a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 in all course work taken at UT Southern
• earned a “C” or better in each major and professional education course
• passed a TBI/FBI background check paid for by the candidate
• a satisfactory rating on three copies of the Educator Disposition Assessment completed by the applicant, a University of Tennessee professor, and a UT Southern education professor
• submitted a Program Admission Portfolio normally created in EDU 101  and expanded to include artifact(s) in all 10 Tennessee Teacher Licensure Standards as well as a revised teaching philosophy (from what was created in EDU 101  for program admission)
• obtained and provided proof of professional membership (STEA)
• received approval of the Teacher Education Committee

Formal application to clinical practice must be completed and submitted to the office of the program coordinator by March 1 of the spring semester and by October 1 of the fall semester prior to the semester in which the education candidate enrolls in clinical practice and clinical practice seminar. Except for special circumstance, the following policy will be followed:

• Scores from the November Praxis II test date may not be accepted for clinical practice placement for the following spring.
• Scores from the July Praxis II test may not be accepted for clinical practice placement for the following fall.

The suggested timetable for progress through the licensure process for all programs within the Division of Education is as follows:

• Sophomore year, 1st semester: take CORE Academic Skills for Educators (if ACT score is not 21 or above)
• Sophomore year, 2nd semester: apply for admission to the program
• Junior year, 2nd semester: take all applicable Praxis II exams
• Senior year, 1st semester: retake Praxis II exams if needed, complete all degree course work, and apply for clinical practice
• Senior year, 2nd semester: clinical practice and seminar, and complete all degree requirements.

Admission to the Non-licensure Elementary Education Program

If an education candidate does NOT pass any Praxis II tests, submit a showcase portfolio, or enroll in EDU 452  and EDU 453 , s/he may elect to get a bachelor’s degree in elementary education without getting a teaching license. Education candidates are required to apply for admission to the Elementary Education Program during the first semester of the sophomore year. Full admission must be attained no later than the final semester of the senior year.

The alternate 12 hours of upper-division work will consist of the following:

• Nine hours from upper-division English, religion, sociology, social work, or psychology courses,
• And three hours EDU 499  for a passing grade on the capstone project.

Other Program Information

An education candidate who fails any or all parts of the CORE (reading, writing, and math) twice has the right to appeal in writing to the Teacher Education Committee through the chair of the Grissom School of Education. The program coordinator, under the guidance of the committee, shall arrange a rigorous, well-monitored program of remediation in the problem areas. Upon completion of the required remediation, the education candidate’s situation will be reviewed by the program coordinator and an appropriate recommendation made to the committee. Appealing does not automatically exempt a student from further CORE (reading, writing, and math) tests.

A portfolio/showcase is created in Student Learning and Licensure, generally in EDU 101  and should be continually updated. The final Capstone portfolio/showcase is created during clinical practice and is evaluated as an exit assessment. Portfolio guidelines are available in Canvas.

Education candidates who are experiencing difficulty meeting program requirements may receive a Notice of Concern which requires corrective action be taken.

Education candidates preparing for clinical practice in the fall semester should take the Praxis II on the January, March, April, and/or June test dates; scores should return in time to schedule clinical practice in the fall. Early testing allows time to replace failed scores. Spring semester clinical practitioners should also take the Praxis II on the January, March, April, and/or June test dates of the previous year. Praxis II tests taken on the September date allow no time for retakes. Scores from the November test date do not return to UT Southern in time for a teacher candidate to be placed in clinical practice that spring. Scores from the July test date do not return to UT Southern in time for a teacher candidate to be placed in clinical practice that fall.

Education candidates still lacking course work may appeal to the Teacher Education Committee for permission to take one course in the night program, by directed study, or by correspondence during the clinical practice semester.

Education candidates have two clinical practice placements: one of eight weeks; the other of seven weeks. The Teacher Education Committee approves all candidates for admission to clinical practice.

Passing the edTPA Portfolio during clinical practice is required for recommendation of teacher licensure. While candidates are permitted to hold a part-time job or participate in choir or drama during clinical practice as long as these do not interfere with teacher candidates’ responsibilities, no candidate is permitted to participate in collegiate sports during clinical practice.

Completing all requirements of the education program does not automatically mean a recommendation for licensure. Final approval for licensure is only authorized by the Teacher Education Committee after an exit interview with the candidates at the conclusion of clinical practice.

Driver Education Endorsement

The state-approved Driver’s Education Endorsement is available at the University of Tennessee Southern for all education majors. Candidates seeking the Driver’s Education endorsement should meet with the Human Performance and Physical Education program coordinator. Candidates shall have satisfactorily completed an initial license program (grades 6-12 or grades K-12) approved by the state of Tennessee. Additionally, the following four courses (10 credit hours) shall be completed with a grade of “C” or better in each:

Requirements

Required

HPPE 211 - First Aid and Emergency Care  2

HPPE 485 - Driver Education  3

HPPE 486 - Advanced Driver Education & Safety  3

HPPE 487 - General Safety and Lab  2

Subtotal: 10

Title II Praxis Pass Rates and Scaled Scores for the Education Program

The following scores are a three year average for the School of Education’s traditional and practitioner programs:

Elementary Education

Secondary Education

Physical Education

Special Education

* Denotes n of less than 10.

Post Baccalaureate Education Candidates Seeking Initial Licensure or Endorsement

A post baccalaureate education candidate is one who possesses a 4-year degree from an institute of higher education (IHE) and re-enters the University of Tennessee Southern for additional professional credentials. Even though each case is reviewed on an individual basis, there are three general categories of post baccalaureate students:

1. A post baccalaureate education candidate seeking only initial licensure and no additional degree would generally have all core requirements waived unless there is an obvious weakness.
2. A post baccalaureate education candidate whose 4-year degree is from UT Southern and who seeks an additional degree with licensure will generally have all core requirements waived unless there is an obvious weakness in meeting educational standards because of core changes made since the original UT Southern degree was awarded.
3. A post baccalaureate education candidate whose 4-year degree is from an IHE other than UT Southern and who seeks a degree with licensure would generally have to fulfill all degree and licensure requirements (including core) not granted by transfer of equivalent coursework.
4. A post baccalaureate education candidate would have the option of a traditional licensure pathway or a job-embedded pathway.

Post baccalaureate candidates must be admitted to the appropriate UT Southern education program.

Procedures for post baccalaureate education candidates seeking a license to teach (applications and forms are in Canvas):

1. See the program coordinator for information about Canvas.
2. Possess or demonstrate ability to maintain a 2.75 GPA or higher. This requirement is generally met by a previous GPA or 12 hours taken at UT Southern.
3. Submit the completed program application and three personal/professional dispositions to the appropriate program coordinator
4. Make arrangements with the program coordinator to complete the admission essay (supervised writing- on-demand) at a convenient time.
5. Submit a recent (within a year) TBI/FBI background check (see Chair for Grissom School of Education for details).
6. Have a satisfactory interview with the program coordinator and one other Teacher Education Committee (TEC) member.
7. Submit to the program coordinator proof of membership in STEA or other comparable professional educational organization that offers liability insurance and legal counsel.
8. Gain approval of the Teacher Education Committee (TEC).
9. Maintain a GPA of 2.75 or higher on all work at UT Southern and a grade of “C” or better in all education and major courses taken at UT Southern.
10. Pass the required Praxis II tests before clinical practice.
11. Successfully complete all applicable program requirements before recommendation to the state for licensure by the TEC.

Variances for Post Baccalaureate Candidates:

1. A portfolio will not be required prior to program admission.
2. The EDU 101  requirement will be decided on an individual basis. A workshop covering program admission, Canvas, VIALiveText, e-portfolio/showcase, and other important items will be offered as needed at the beginning of each semester. Post baccalaureate education candidates who attend will have EDU 101  waived.

Transfer Students

For any course required within the program that has prerequisites, the student may be required to take the prerequisite courses before taking the required course.

For Job-embedded Candidates:

1. Job-embedded candidates that are seeking an initial licensure that demonstrate that they hold a degreewith a major aligned to a middle or secondary core academic endorsement will not be required to pass a Praxis assessment. All other candidates must have a passing score (for the state of Tennessee) on the appropriate Praxis assessment.
2. Submit proof of employment at an accredited Tennessee Public K-12 school.
3. Possess or demonstrate ability to maintain a 2.75 GPA or higher. This requirement is generally met by a previous GPA.
4. Submit the completed program application and three personal/professional dispositions to the appropriate program coordinator.
5. Make arrangements with the program coordinator to complete the admission essay (supervised writing- on-demand) at a convenient time.
6. Submit a recent (within a year) TBI/FBI background check (see Chair for Grissom School of Education for details).
7. Have a satisfactory interview with the program coordinator and one other Teacher Education Committee (TEC) member.
8. Gain approval of the Teacher Education Committee (TEC).
9. Student Learning and Licensure, e-portfolio/showcase, and other important items will be explained at the beginning of the first semester.
10. Maintain a GPA of 2.75 or higher on all work at UTS and a grade of “C” or better in all education and major courses taken at UT Southern.
11. Pass any other required Praxis II or other state required assessments before practicum semester.
12. Successfully complete all applicable program requirements before recommendation to the state for licensure by the TEC.

For Add-On Endorsement Candidates:

1. Contact the director of Teacher Education or the program coordinator for questions.

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