Student Handbook. Early Childhood Education Program. KENDALL COLLEGE School of Education 900 N. North Branch Street Chicago, IL 60622

Transcription

1 Student Handbook Early Childhood Education Program KENDALL COLLEGE School of Education 900 N. North Branch Street Chicago, IL 60622

2 Table of Contents Student Handbook... 1 Introduction... 5 School of Education Conceptual Framework... 6 Part 1: Academics, Programs & Tracks... 7 Academic Standards... 8 Description of School of Education Programs & Tracks... 9 Programs...9 Tracks Bachelor of Arts, Early Childhood Education, Non-Certification Track...9 Degree requirements of the B.A., E.C.E. Non-Certification Track Bachelor of Arts, Early Childhood Education Illinois Type 04 Teacher Preparation Track Degree Requirements of B.A., E.C.E., Illinois Type 04 Teacher Preparation Track Illinois Type 04 Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Preparation Track Requirements Illinois Type 04 Teacher Certification Preparation Only Track...11 Switching B.A. Tracks Classroom & Internship Experiences Overview Fieldwork Overview...12 Clinical Practice Overview...12 Internships Overview...12 Fieldwork Details Fieldwork...13 Arranging Fieldwork...13 Informing Career Services...13 Proof of Immunization, TB Clearance, and Background Checks...14 What to Expect...14 Timesheets...14 Professionalism...15 Virtual Field Experiences...15 Internships Details Internships:...16 Arranging Internships:...16 During the Internships:...16 Timesheets:...16 Professionalism...17 V Kendall College School of Education Handbook p. 2

3 Part II: Important Information for the Illinois Type 04 Teacher Certification Preparation Track Transition Points (1): Admission to Kendall College and the School of Education...19 (2) Eligibility for Certification Preparation Program to Obtain Illinois Type 04 Teacher Certification...20 (3) Eligibility for Clinical Practice...20 (4) Completion of the Teacher Preparation Program and Institutional Recommendation for Illinois Type 04 Teacher Certification...20 Applying for Certification from the Illinois State Board of Education...21 Applying to the Teacher Preparation Program Introduction:...22 Directions:...22 Important Note:...22 Form: Application to the IL Type 04 Teacher Preparation Program Illinois Teacher Certification Tests When Registering for Illinois Exams...24 Test-specific Information...24 Preparing for the Exam...25 Understanding Your Scores...25 Notes for IL Type 03 Certificate Holders Obtaining an IL Type 04 Certificate.. 26 IL Type 03 Certificate Holder: Application to Exempt Primary Clinical Practice Experience Clinical Practice Details Requesting Institutional Recommendation Introduction:...31 Steps to Complete to Request Institutional Recommendation:...31 Other Notes about Institutional Recommendation & Applying for Certification:...32 Part III: Other Important Information, Tools, & Resources for Your Success A Note on Books and Materials A Note on Technology A Guide for Online Students Academic Regulations Grading...37 Late Policy...37 Academic Grievance...38 Academic Support...38 School of Education Student Appeal Form Dispositions Assessment of Dispositions...41 Disposition Concerns...42 V Kendall College School of Education Handbook p. 3

4 When Dispositions are Assessed and by Whom...42 Student Access to Disposition Assessment Forms...43 Prior Learning Assessment Transfer of Credit Appeal Kendall College Transcript Requests Obtaining Refund Checks Technology Systems Quick Guide Resources for Your Success V Kendall College School of Education Handbook p. 4

5 Introduction This School of Education Early Childhood Education Program Student Handbook was written to welcome you into the School of Education at Kendall College and the Early Childhood Education program. Our program will give you the professional knowledge, experience, and clinical practice needed to become a well-informed and skilled educator. There are many competencies necessary to become an early childhood professional, and our program at Kendall will support you to achieve your goals. There are several choices in the field of Early Childhood Education. As you create your own professional path, take the time to expand your horizon and learn about the entire field of work with young children and their families. Being a student in this program allows you to experience different environments, teaching styles, administrative structures, children, and families. Take this opportunity seriously and it will make you a highly-qualified educator of young children and, eventually, a mentor for others in the future. This Handbook will help you understand the guidelines and requirements of Kendall s Early Childhood Program. We are here to build a relationship with you to help you be successful through field-based experiences and clinical practice. This Handbook will also help answer many of your questions, but you will need to stay in close touch with those of us here to help you, most especially your Academic Advisor for specifics regarding your individual program requirements. V Kendall College School of Education Handbook p. 5

6 School of Education Conceptual Framework Kendall College s Mission The Kendall College Early Childhood Education Program is committed to preparing students with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of exemplary educators who work in diverse settings and utilize the best educational practices based on research and theory. School of Education Mission & Vision The School of Education is committed to candidates who seek to become skilled educators through its state-approved program. The School of Education is also committed to providing its candidates developmentally appropriate, student-centered learning experiences that build their knowledge and skills. To that end, candidates begin their program of studies with a core foundation of the institution s general education courses and then are increasingly challenged as their studies advance in specific subject areas, pedagogy, and technology necessary for effective and creative teaching. Kendall College School of Education candidates become competent in the skills necessary to be learner, teacher, and leader. The School of Education has set seven goals that make real its vision and mission. 1. The School of Education creates learning experiences for candidates to develop a foundation for lifelong learning and professional growth. 2. The School of Education provides learning experiences for candidates to master content knowledge necessary for effective teaching and learning. 3. The School of Education provides learning experiences for candidates to master the curricular, instructional, and assessment knowledge and skills necessary for effective teaching at the advanced beginner stage of development. 4. The School of Education provides candidates with opportunities to form appropriate and ethical relationships with students and to maximize student learning. 5. The School of Education engages candidates in learning experiences that increase understanding and appreciation for diversity. 6. The School of Education provides learning experiences for candidates to learn and demonstrate professional conduct. 7. The School of Education engages candidates in leadership activities, with an emphasis on collaboration, that result in improving student learning. V Kendall College School of Education Handbook p. 6

7 Part 1: Academics, Programs & Tracks V Kendall College School of Education Handbook p. 7

8 Academic Standards High academic standards are important to your professional success. The skills learned in the course of academic pursuit will be the same skills necessary for success in the workplace: the ability to communicate effectively, to analyze a situation objectively, and to study with discipline. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has a set of standards that clearly define what a teacher needs to know. Four sets of standards -- the Early Childhood Education Standards, Illinois Professional Teaching Standards, Language Arts Standards, and Technology Standards -- are all embedded throughout our curriculum. These standards include the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to be an effective early childhood teacher. Documentation that teacher candidates in the Early Childhood Education program have met these standards will be gathered through assessments based on performance. The Kendall College faculty is here to help you meet the ISBE standards. They will keep a watchful eye on your academic progress. Through teaching, advising, and tutoring, faculty will assist you in developing the skills, knowledge, and dispositions necessary for academic and professional success. A procedure exists to alert you if your performance or disposition needs improvement. Frequent contact with your academic advisor is strongly recommended. We also believe that candidates must take responsibility for their own academic experience, including knowing the standards, regulations, rules, and processes of both Kendall College and the School of Education. Thoroughly read the Kendall College Handbook as well as this School of Education Early Childhood Education Program Student Handbook. V Kendall College School of Education Handbook p. 8

9 Programs Description of School of Education Programs & Tracks Currently, the School of Education offers one Program the Early Childhood Education Program. The Early Childhood Education program is offered through both online and face-to-face courses. Students who complete courses online do so through ecollege. Students who attend face-to-face courses also use Blackboard (another online course system) to support their face-to-face courses. Some School of Education students take both online and face-to-face courses, while others take their courses only online. Tracks In the Program of Early Childhood Education, there are three tracks currently available: 1. Bachelor of Arts, Early Childhood Education, Non-Certification Some students attend Kendall College for four years to complete this degree. Some students transfer coursework from other institutions and attend Kendall College to complete their B.A. degree. 2. Bachelor of Arts, Early Childhood Education, with Illinois Type 04 Teacher Certification Preparation Some students attend Kendall College for four years to complete this degree and teacher certification preparation track (this track is also referred to as the Certification Program ). Some students transfer coursework from other institutions and attend Kendall College to complete their B.A. degree and obtain their Illinois Teacher Certification. 3. Illinois Type 04 Teacher Certification Preparation only This track is for students who have already earned a B.A./B.S. before entering Kendall College and just need to complete Illinois Teacher Certification requirements (this track is also referred to as the post-baccalaureate Certification Program. ) If you already hold a valid Illinois Type 03 teaching certificate, also see the Notes for IL Type 03 Certificate Holders Obtaining an IL Type 04 Certificate section of this Handbook 1. Bachelor of Arts, Early Childhood Education, Non-Certification Track This curriculum prepares candidates for work with children and families in both public and non-public school settings, as well as a variety of leadership positions (e.g. social service and governmental agencies, hospitals, parks and recreation, and private schools). In addition to the Early Childhood Education major requirements in the B.A. program, each candidate will select one of the following areas of concentration: Early Childhood Special Education (birth to age 5) Infant/Toddler Degree requirements of the B.A., E.C.E. Non-Certification Track 1. Completion of at least 180 Quarter Hours of course work with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above. 2. Completion of at least 48 of the required 180 Quarter Hours at Kendall College. 3. Bachelor of Arts General Studies Core 60 Quarter Hours 4. Early Childhood Education Major Requirements 93 Quarter Hours 5. Concentration in either Special Education or Infant/Toddler 12 Quarter Hours V Kendall College School of Education Handbook p. 9

10 6. Completion of 2 Internships 8 Quarter Hours 7. Elective coursework to complete the balance of at least 180 Quarter Hours. *Important: See a list of the courses required for this track in the Program Information and Application Forms booklet which you received in your application packet. Note: Some students who earn a B.A. degree from the Early Childhood Education Program choose to return to Kendall College for their Type 04 Teaching Certification. These students are considered Certification Only Track students (see #3, below) and are subject to all requirements, including key assessments, that are in place at the time of their return. 2. Bachelor of Arts, Early Childhood Education Illinois Type 04 Teacher Preparation Track This option leads to a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education plus Illinois Type 04 (Early Childhood Education) Teacher Certification by entitlement. This Program is an approved program of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for students seeking an Early Childhood Type 04 Certificate. This option prepares candidates for work with young children, birth through third grade, in public school settings. This track is also known as the B.A. leading to Certification Program or B.A. Teacher Preparation Program. IMPORTANT: In Illinois, institutions of higher education, such as Kendall College, do not actually grant certification. Instead, they give institutional recommendation to candidates who have successfully completed all the requirements for institutional recommendation. In addition to the Degree Requirements below, see the Important Information for the Illinois Type 04 Teacher Certification Track section of this Handbook. As mentioned above, in addition to the Early Childhood Education major requirements in the B.A with Type 04 Teacher Preparation program, each candidate will select an area of concentration. Those optional concentrations are: Early Childhood Special Education (up to five years old) Infant/Toddler Degree Requirements of B.A., E.C.E., Illinois Type 04 Teacher Preparation Track 1. Completion of at least 180 Quarter Hours of coursework with a minimum overall grade point average of 2.5 or above. 2. Completion of at least 48 of the required 180 Quarter Hours at Kendall College. 3. Bachelor of Arts General Studies Core 60 Quarter Hours 4. Early Childhood Education Major Requirements 93 Quarter Hours 5. Specialization in either Special Education or Infant/Toddler 12 Quarter Hours 6. Completion of Clinical Practice & Clinical Seminar 12 Quarter Hours Pre-primary Clinical Practice & Clinical Seminar (4 Quarter Hours total) Full-Day Clinical Practice Primary & Clinical Seminar (8 Quarter Hours total) 7. Additional coursework to complete the balance of at least 180 Quarter Hours. 8. Illinois Certification Testing Requirements a) Illinois Basic Skills Test (Field 096) b) Illinois Content Area Test, Early Childhood Education (Field 107) c) Illinois Assessment of Professional Teaching, Birth through Grade 3 (Field 101) *Important: See a list of the courses required for this track in the Program Information and Application Forms booklet which you received in your application packet. V Kendall College School of Education Handbook p. 10

11 3. Illinois Type 04 Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Preparation Track This option leads to Illinois Type 04 (Early Childhood Education) Teacher Certification by entitlement. This Program is an approved program of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for students seeking an Early Childhood Type 04 Certificate. This option prepares candidates for work with young children, birth through grade three, in public school settings. There is an optional concentration in Early Childhood Special Education (up to five years old). IMPORTANT: In Illinois, institutions of higher education, such as Kendall College, do not actually grant certification. Instead, they give institutional recommendation to the Illinois State Board of Education for candidates who have successfully completed all the requirements for institutional recommendation. In addition to the Degree Requirements, below, see the Important Information for the Illinois Type 04 Teacher Certification Preparation Track section of this Handbook. Requirements Illinois Type 04 Teacher Certification Preparation Only Track 1. Completion of 68 Quarter Hours of coursework with a overall grade point average of 2.5 or above. 2. Completion of Clinical Practice & Clinical Seminar 12 Quarter Hours Pre-primary Clinical Practice & Clinical Seminar (4 Quarter Hours total) Full-Day Clinical Practice Primary & Clinical Seminar (8 Quarter Hours total) 3. Illinois Certification Testing Requirements a) Illinois Basic Skills Test (Field 096) b) Illinois Content Area Test, Early Childhood Education (Field 107) c) Illinois Assessment of Professional Teaching, Birth through Grade 3 (Field 101) 4. Optional: Specialization in Special Education 12 Quarter Hours *Important: See a list of the courses required for this track in the Program Information and Application Forms booklet which you received in your application packet. Switching B.A. Tracks Occasionally, some candidates may wish to switch from one B.A. track to the other. For example, a non- Certification Preparation track candidate may decide to pursue Teacher Certification because an Illinois Type 04 Teacher Certification may lead to specific employment opportunities or because her/his place of employment requires certification for all of its teachers. Switching tracks is considered a change of concentration at Kendall College (note that this does not refer to the School of Education s concentrations of Special Education and Infant/Toddler). Thus, a candidate who wishes to switch tracks must fill out a Change of Major form, which must be signed by the student s Academic Advisor. The State of Illinois mandates that teacher preparation programs track when and why its students switch from certification preparation tracks to non-certification preparation tracks and vice versa. Change of Major forms can be obtained from the Registrar s Office. Important: If a candidate changes tracks, current program requirements must be adhered to. V Kendall College School of Education Handbook p. 11

12 Classroom & Internship Experiences Overview In the majority of the EDU courses candidates are asked to complete assignments that require observation and/or participation in an actual classroom with children. There are two types of classroom experiences for certification-track candidates fieldwork and Clinical Practice. Non-certification candidates complete two Internships. Fieldwork Overview Fieldwork is the time you spend and the assignments you complete while in the classroom working with children or teachers as part of your Kendall course. A complete explanation of fieldwork is in the Fieldwork section in Part I of this Handbook. Clinical Practice Overview Unlike documented fieldwork required of all School of Education Early Childhood Education students, Clinical Practice (or Student Teaching ) is reserved only for those students who are intending to earn Illinois Type 04 Teacher Certification. Clinical Practice is described more in Part II of this Handbook. Internships Overview For students earning their B.A. ECE degree without teacher certification, Internships are completed instead of Clinical Practice. A complete explanation of Internships is in the Internships section in Part I of this Handbook. V Kendall College School of Education Handbook p. 12

13 Fieldwork Details Most courses in both the certification and non-certification Early Childhood Education tracks require you, as the degree candidate or teacher candidate, to work directly with children and teachers in the field. Many preparatory courses involve your direct engagement with children or teachers, while additional advanced courses require considerable time in a classroom. Fieldwork Fieldwork, also called field experience, is defined by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) as a variety of early and ongoing field-based opportunities in which candidates may observe, assist, tutor, instruct, and/or conduct research. Some fieldwork will take place in a classroom; some will involve interacting with children. Other fieldwork might involve speaking to professionals in early childhood education or parents, or other adults. If completed in a classroom, the classroom teacher is referred to as your host teacher. Fieldwork experiences bring you into the field of early childhood to help you link what you are reading about (theory) to what is actually going on with children and professionals (practice). (Fieldwork experiences are separate from, and completed prior to, Clinical Practice.) Courses with fieldwork require between one and ten hours of fieldwork. The level of the classroom (i.e., age range and grade level), the exact number of required hours, and the specific assignments you must complete are all detailed in the specific syllabus for the course. The Field Experience by Course Chart document lists this information for every course that requires field work and is available on the School of Education tab of My.Kendall. Arranging Fieldwork It is your responsibility to arrange a classroom that meets the course s syllabus requirements for fieldwork. You will need to arrange to be in a classroom with a certified teacher (one who holds either Illinois Type 03 Elementary or 04 Early Childhood Teacher Certification) who is willing to volunteer to work with you as your Host teacher. It is ok to complete fieldwork in more than one classroom, as long as each teacher meets this requirement. For pre-primary fieldwork only: If the site/school is not required to hire certified teachers, the host teacher does not need to be certified. If you need assistance finding and/or arranging a fieldwork classroom, please contact Career Services at CareerServices@kendall.edu as soon as you register. Career Services will help find a potential fieldwork site and ensure the site is receptive to having a fieldwork student. You will be required to submit your field placement information to Career Services. Informing Career Services Prior to beginning your fieldwork hours, you are required to inform the Director of Career Services of your choice of a field experience site and the name of your Host Teacher. You will submit this information electronically; please see the directions on the Fieldwork Details page on the School of Education tab on My.Kendall. When the site and Host Teacher have been determined, Career Services will send an agreement to the district office, if requested. In particular, agreements are sent to all public schools. Since obtaining the appropriate signature from the site can take a while, it is important that you obtain verbal permission from the site s director or principal to begin field work hours in the classroom. Use the Letter of Introduction located on the School of Education tab at My.Kendall to introduce yourself and Kendall to the principal/director. V Kendall College School of Education Handbook p. 13

14 Proof of Immunization, TB Clearance, and Background Checks As part of your admission to Kendall College, you may or may not have had to show proof of immunizations, and you were required to submit proof of tuberculosis clearance. Further, you signed a form acknowledging your understanding of background checks and their possible impact on your ability to complete fieldwork, Clinical Practice, and obtain Illinois teacher licensure. You were encouraged to submit proof of immunizations regardless of whether or not you were required to, and you were encouraged to have a background check completed because it may facilitate your ability to begin field work. Since each site/school may have slightly different requirements for classroom observers / volunteers regarding proof of immunizations, TB clearance, and background checks, it is important that you discuss this with the site/school as soon as possible in the placement process. Specifically, ensure that: 1. You understand their rules for what you, as an observer / volunteer, are required to provide regarding proof of immunization, TB clearance, and background checks. 2. You have records to prove your immunization to the diseases the site/school requires. 3. Your proof of immunization and TB clearance records show the correct type(s) of immunization for each disease required. 4. Your TB clearance is up to date (some site/schools require clearance within the past year, others require clearance within the past 6 months). 5. You have the correct type of background check required. (Remember that the Acknowledgement Form you signed for Kendall is not a background check.) Fieldwork assignments can be required as early as the second week of the course it is your responsibility to make sure that you meet the site s requirements in a timely manner so that you can begin fieldwork. Note that some sites will not allow you into a classroom until you have met their requirements for immunizations, TB clearance, and background checks. What to Expect Fieldwork assignments include observation, participation, and individual or small-group teaching activities in the classroom. The work you do in the Host Teacher s classroom is determined by the assignments for the course(s) in which you are concurrently enrolled. Your work with one or more P-3 students is correlated directly back to the goals and objectives of the course and its content. In each course, the assignment directions clearly detail what you are expected to accomplish in a classroom with children (including any discussions/meetings you should have with your host teacher). You may share these assignment directions with your Host Teacher so that she or he is kept fully informed. Please be advised that you will have to adjust your own weekly schedule during the quarter to accommodate the need to be in a classroom while school is in session. If you complete the fieldwork assignments in fewer hours than the course requires, you will need to undertake additional tasks at your Host Teacher s discretion, such as working with a small group of children to meet the required number of hours. Timesheets In some courses, you will be required to have your Host Teacher verify with a signature the exact hours you spend in her/his classroom. (A timesheet will be given to you in your course and is also available on My.Kendall > School of Education tab.) Although the Host Teacher will sign it each time you are in her/his classroom, it will be your responsibility to return this sheet with original signatures to Kendall College School of Education according to the directions on the timesheet. Be certain that you keep a copy of it should the unexpected happen, and it is lost in the mail. V Kendall College School of Education Handbook p. 14

15 Note that the School of Education reserves the right to verify fieldwork timesheets and experiences at any time. Professionalism Remember to have a professional attitude with respect to confidential information about children and with respect to relationships and practices with colleagues. Dress appropriately as a professional. Even if other fieldwork students (or, for that matter, classroom teachers) do not dress professionally, you need to. Remember: You only have one chance to make a first impression. Virtual Field Experiences In addition to the hours you will spend in classrooms for fieldwork, in some courses you will be provided with Virtual Field Experiences that you will view via DVD. These Virtual Field Experiences will enable you to see diverse school and classroom environments, differing styles of master teachers, specific strategies and techniques, the gestalt of classroom life (what is going on everywhere, and how master teachers handle the complexity of the whole), and the establishment of routines and classroom procedures during the first week of school. V Kendall College School of Education Handbook p. 15

16 Internships: Internships Details For candidates earning their B.A. ECE degree without certification, Internships are completed in lieu of Clinical Practice. Internships are experiences that match each degree candidate s interest area within an early childhood setting with a qualified professional from that setting who agrees to supervise the experiences. The site chosen by the candidate may include a number of possibilities: a non-profit professional organization; an advocacy center; a for-profit children s center; or a program such as a preschool, primary school, after-school program, Head Start, or Early Intervention. The site, which should allow the candidate to discover a new aspect of early childhood, must be pre-approved by Kendall College. Practical hands-on experience is the goal of these Internship activities. Goals and objectives for each candidate are set prior to the first week of each of the Internships with at least 5 documented Internship hours per week required. Degree candidates must complete two separate Internships and enroll in the corresponding online Internship seminars. ECE Internship I requires the degree candidate to learn the general principles of applying theory to practice while concentrating on early care and education in a supervised relationship. The candidate accomplishes certain pre-designed goals at the site while also meeting with Kendall colleagues in an online seminar. ECE Internship II requires the degree candidate to focus greater attention to applying principles of best practice in early care and education. After assessing the needs of the site, the candidate designs a contribution to be left at the site for future use. At the same time, the candidate is enrolled in an online seminar for discussion with Kendall colleagues. Arranging Internships: It is your responsibility to arrange an early childhood setting that meets the requirements. Remember that pre-approval from the Internship faculty advisor is required. If you need assistance finding and/or arranging an appropriate Internship, please contact Career Services at CareerServices@kendall.edu as soon as you register. Career Services will help you find an Internship and ensure the site is receptive to having an Internship candidate. An agreement will be established between the career site and Kendall College. Career Services can also assist you in creating your resume, which is usually requested by potential Internship sites. For additional information on Internships, see the Internship Details page on School of Education tab on My.Kendall. A faculty advisor will meet you in your online seminar. With the faculty advisor and the Internship supervisor, goals for the Internship will be established during the seminar. During the Internships: During the Internship you will be enrolled in an online seminar that will require submission of weekly assignments associated with the goals and objectives of the Internship. Timesheets: You are required to have your Internship supervisor sign off on the exact hours you spend each day. (You will be given a timesheet which is also available on My.Kendall > School of Education tab.) Although your Internship supervisor will sign it each time you complete Internship hours, it will be your responsibility to return this sheet with original signatures to Kendall College School of Education according to the directions on the timesheet. Be certain that you keep a copy of it should the unexpected happen, and it is lost in the mail. Without officially signed documentation of your time at your Internship, you will be unable to successfully pass this course. V Kendall College School of Education Handbook p. 16

17 Professionalism Remember to have a professional attitude with respect to confidential information about children and with respect to relationships and practices with colleagues. Dress appropriately as a professional. Even if other people at the Internship placement do not dress professionally, you need to. Remember: You only have one chance to make a first impression. For more information, see the Internship Details Page on the School of Education tab on My.Kendall. V Kendall College School of Education Handbook p. 17

18 Part II: Important Information for the Illinois Type 04 Teacher Certification Preparation Track V Kendall College School of Education Handbook p. 18

19 Transition Points The Illinois Type 04 Teacher Certification Preparation track has four transition points. These are specific times during the Program when you must meet certain School of Education and State of Illinois requirements in order to earn certification by entitlement. The requirements for each transition point ensure that your early childhood education and teaching knowledge, skills, and performance are of high enough caliber to move you to the next step in the process. Keep in mind that it is your responsibility to manage your own progress through these transition points, including completing the courses listed on your Kendall College Official Academic Planner from Admissions and Advising. Please note that the following requirements are organized by transition point and are cumulative in effect. That is, you must complete all requirements in one transition point before being eligible to move on to the next transition point. If you currently hold a valid Illinois Type 03 teacher certificate, also see the Notes for IL Type 03 Certificate Holders Obtaining an IL Type 04 Certificate section for important notes and policies. (1): Admission to Kendall College and the School of Education Freshman-level Students 1. Admissions application page Essay 3. Official high school transcript (or equivalency degree*) *Students with a General Equivalency Degree (G.E.D.) are required to submit G.E.D. scores, two (2) letters of recommendation, and complete the placement test. 4. Unweighted GPA of at least a 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) 5. Satisfactory ACT or SAT 1 scores Details: To be considered for admission, prospective students must have a minimum ACT composite score of at least an 18, with no sub-score below a 16. Students taking the SAT must have a combined score (excluding the essay portion) of a 850 with no sub-score below Signed Enrollment Contract 7. Signed statement acknowledging receipt of Background Check Guidelines, by end of first quarter 8. Proof of immunizations by end of first quarter 9. TB clearance by end of first quarter 10. Nonrefundable application fee Transfer Students semester or 36 quarter hours of transferring credit (if fewer, high school transcripts and ACT/SAT scores) 2. Cumulative GPA of 2.0 from all previous colleges attended. 3. Official Transcripts from all colleges attended 4. Admissions application page Essay 6. Signed Enrollment Contract 7. Signed statement acknowledging receipt of Background Check Guidelines, by end of first quarter 8. Proof of immunizations by end of first quarter V Kendall College School of Education Handbook p. 19

20 9. TB clearance by end of first quarter 10. Nonrefundable application fee (2) Eligibility for Certification Preparation Program to Obtain Illinois Type 04 Teacher Certification 1. Passing score on the Basic Skills Test (Field 96)** IMPORTANT: If you do not pass the Basic Skills Test, you may retake the test, but you will not be able to enter the Type 04 Certification preparation program until you earn a passing score. If you do not pass the required tests for certification, you can still obtain your bachelor s degree. However, if you pass the Basic Skills Test after earning your bachelor s degree and wish to return to Kendall for the certification preparation track, you will be subject to all requirements, including any key assessments that are in place at the time of your return. IMPORTANT: The date on which you passed the Basic Skills Test must be no more than 5 years old when you apply for your certificate. If your test is older than 5 years old when you apply for certification, you must re-pass the test before Illinois will grant you your certificate. 2. Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better (including GPA from Kendall and all other institutions [obtained from transcripts]) 3. Application to enter Certification Program (3) Eligibility for Clinical Practice 1. Passing score on the Illinois Content Area Early Childhood Education Exam (Field 107)** 2. Successful completion of all prerequisites for Clinical Practice course as listed in the Course Descriptions 3. Completed Clinical Practice Application and resume sent to the School of Education at least 2 quarters in advance of the quarter during which Clinical Practice will occur 4. Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better for all Education course work (EDU Courses) at Kendall 5. All Acceptable Disposition scores, with no outstanding Disposition Concerns. 6. Passing score on the Lesson Plan Portfolio, a collection of three applied lesson plans with reflection and assessment. Submission of the Lesson Plan Portfolio is due one quarter in advance of the quarter during which Clinical Practice will occur. (For detailed information see Clinical Practice Handbook on My.Kendall.) (4) Completion of the Teacher Preparation Program and Institutional Recommendation for Illinois Type 04 Teacher Certification 1. Grade of C or better in each Clinical Practice and Clinical Seminar completed (both pre-primary and primary). 2. Passing score on the Teacher Work Sample assessment conducted during clinical practice, an integrated unit consisting of assessment of student needs, application of lesson plan, evaluation of student work, and reflection. 3. Passing score on the Virtual Field Experience Analysis assessment 4. All Acceptable Disposition scores, with no outstanding Disposition Concerns. Please note: If a candidate does not meet a requirement in the transition point, she or he has the right to appeal to the Dean. Use the Student Appeal Form p. 39. The Dean has the right to postpone a requirement. V Kendall College School of Education Handbook p. 20

21 Applying for Certification from the Illinois State Board of Education 1. Obtaining Institutional Recommendation (see Transition Point #4, above). 2. Passing score on the Illinois Assessment of Professional Teaching Exam (Field 101)** 3. Completion of the certificate application. See the Requesting Institutional Recommendation and Applying for Certification section, p. 31. ** Please see the Illinois Teacher Certification Tests section of this Handbook for more information. V Kendall College School of Education Handbook p. 21

22 Introduction: Applying to the Teacher Preparation Program Applying for the certification program means that you are agreeing to complete the necessary requirements to obtain an Illinois Type 04 Teacher Certification by entitlement through Kendall College. In order to submit your application, you must have met the requirements to do so (see Transition Points, above). Directions: Complete the following form and submit to the School of Education by fax to (312) , or copy and paste within an . You must send it from your Kendall College account so that the School of Education can accept it as an electronic signature. to If you are switching tracks from a non-certification track to the certification, complete the Application to the Certification Program. Once you have been officially accepted into the certification program, submit a Change of Major Form (available from the Registrar s Office). Important Note: The School of Education will calculate your cumulative GPA to determine whether or not you meet the 2.5 cumulative GPA requirement. Cumulative GPA for entry into the teacher preparation program includes your Kendall GPA as well as your GPA from all other institutions you attended, as shown on your transcripts from these institutions. Any semester hours and semester grade points are converted to quarter hours and quarter grade points by multiplying by 1.5. To obtain the GPA, the total quarter points are divided by the total quarter hours. The resulting number is rounded to the nearest tenth. V Kendall College School of Education Handbook p. 22

23 Form: Application to the IL Type 04 Teacher Preparation Program Last Name: First Name: Illinois Basic Skills Test: Date you passed the test (date on which the test was taken): (*If you did not release your test scores to Kendall, please submit a copy of your scores with this application.) Scaled total test score: Reading Comprehension subarea score: Language Arts subarea score: Mathematics subarea score: Writing subarea score: Track: Will this be a switch from the non-certification track to the certification track? Y / N Planning for Clinical Practice: In which quarter and year do you plan to start Clinical Practice? (If uncertain, consult your advisor.) Quarter, Year Which Clinical Practice do you intend on completing first: Primary or Pre-Primary? Signature: Signature Date (mm/dd/yyyy) To submit to the School of Education: Fax to (312) , OR copy and paste within an you must send it from your Kendall College account so that the School of Education can accept it as an electronic signature. to ECE@Kendall.edu. Kendall College School of Education Use Only Date received: (Initials: ) Current Cumulative Grade Point Average (must be 2.5 or higher): Current cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale), including all work at Kendall College and GPA from all transcripts, rounded to the nearest tenth: Decision: Approved / Not Approved If Not Approved, reason: G.P.A Decision date: (Initials: ) Date student notified: (Initials: ) If appropriate: Confirm update of Jenzabar (Initials: ) Notes: V Kendall College School of Education Handbook p. 23

24 Illinois Teacher Certification Tests The tests designed for assessing your knowledge and understanding of Early Childhood Education are administered by the Illinois Certification Testing System (ICTS). Each of the tests designed for the Type 04 Certificate are challenging, but there are supports available from the ICTS and Kendall College School of Education. Important: Illinois state regulation requires that all state teacher certification exams must be passed no earlier than five years prior to Kendall College recommending a candidate for teacher certification. If the exam scores are older than five years, the exams must be re-passed before Kendall College can complete the recommendation for certification to the state. For information about the ICTS, including registration information, go to Click on the FAQ s tab for many of the most frequently asked questions. Carefully read through all of the information provided in the links both in the left menu as well as the tabs at the top of the page. The Day of the Test link provides essential information, including what you can and cannot bring to the test you will not be allowed into the test if you bring any banned item (including cell phones, scratch paper, and bags). When Registering for Illinois Exams You can easily register for these exams online. Go to Testing schedules as well as the study guides and frameworks are also available. However, be advised that to actually take the tests, you must physically be at one of the Illinois testing sites. Important: It is essential that when you register for a test, you select Kendall College as an institution that can receive your scores. The School of Education uses these scores along with other program data to help evaluate the program and ensure it is meeting the needs of candidates and Illinois standards. Test-specific Information For the Basic Skills Exam (Field #096): To understand how the test is structured and what type of information is covered, click on Test Frameworks (in the left menu). For a study guide, click on Study Guides. To take a practice test, click on Basic Skills Diagnostic Practice Test. Remember that a passing score on this exam is required in order to apply to the certification preparation track. IMPORTANT: The date on which you passed the Basic Skills Test must be no more than 5 years old when you apply for your certificate. If your test is older than 5 years old when you apply to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for your teaching certificate, you must re-pass the test before Illinois will grant you your certificate. For the Content Area Exam in Early Childhood Education (Field #107): To understand how the test is structured and what type of information is covered, click on Test Frameworks (in the left menu). For a study guide, click on Study Guides. Remember that a passing score on this exam is required in order to be eligible for Clinical Practice. (You should take the test at least 1 month before applying for Clinical Practice to allow time for your score to become available.) V Kendall College School of Education Handbook p. 24

25 IMPORTANT: The date on which you pass the Content Area Exam must be no more than 5 years old when you apply for your certificate. If your test is older than 5 years old when you apply to ISBE for your teaching certificate, you must re-pass the test before Illinois will grant you your certificate. For the Assessment of Professional Teaching Exam, Birth to Grade 3 (Field #101): To understand how the test is structured and what type of information is covered, click on Test Frameworks (in the left menu). For a study guide, click on Study Guides. Remember that a passing score on this exam is required in order to be eligible for Institutional Recommendation for Certification. (You should take the test at least 1 month before completing the certification track to allow time for your score to become available.) IMPORTANT: The date on which you pass the Assessment of Professional Teaching Exam must be no more than 5 years old when you apply for your certificate. If your test is older than 5 years old when you apply to ISBE for your teaching certificate, you must re-pass the test before Illinois will grant you your certificate. Preparing for the Exam In addition to taking any practice tests and studying the frameworks for each exam, you can also do the following: Contact Kendall s support systems: Academic Success Center will provide assistance in person, by phone, or by . Phone: (312) asc@kendall.edu Counseling Services are available in person or by phone. Phone: (312) cwood@kendall.edu Go to My.Kendall > School of Education tab for links to both of these support resources. Contact a local community college to see if they offer any test-prep courses some offer test-prep specifically for the above test, such as the Basic Skills exam. Important: Remember to carefully read the Day of the Test information on the site to be sure you know what to bring and what you cannot bring to the test. Understanding Your Scores Scores are made available one month after the exam date. To understand your Illinois exam scores, go to and click on the Score Reporting tab near the top-right of the screen. Click on the appropriate link to open a pdf (Adobe Acrobat) file that explains in detail how to read and understand your overall (pass/not pass) score as well as any individual sub-scores. V Kendall College School of Education Handbook p. 25

26 Notes for IL Type 03 Certificate Holders Obtaining an IL Type 04 Certificate Entering the Certification Preparation Track Basic Skills Test If you passed the Illinois Basic Skills Test as a requirement of your Type 03 Certification, you do not need to re-pass this test. You do need to provide proof that you passed this test as part of the Type 03 Certification preparation program: Have an official letter from the institution at which you completed the Type 03 Certification preparation program sent. The letter should state the date you took and passed the basic skills test along with your total and sub-section scores. The letter should be signed by the department/college/school that was responsible for granting your institutional recommendation (e.g., such as the College of Education s Certification Officer). Fill out and submit the Application to the IL Type 04 Teacher Preparation Program form (located in this Handbook). Write a note on it to indicate that you ve already passed the Illinois Basic Skills test and that the letter from the institution at which you completed your Type 03 is being sent to Kendall. If you did not pass the Illinois Basic Skills Test as a requirement of your Type 03 Certification, you must take the Illinois Basic Skills Test. Please see the Illinois Teacher Certification Tests section of this School of Education Handbook for more information. Course Work The following courses will be automatically exempted from the Type 04 program for any Type 03 certificate holder: EDU 222 Child Development EDU 290 The Exceptional Child EDU 328 Technology in the Classroom EDU 406 Teaching Science EDU 407 Teaching Social Studies & the Arts Your academic advisor will work with you to ensure that your plan of required courses accurately reflects these exemptions. Type 03 certificate holders may also petition to have EDU 317 Classroom Management exempted as well if they successfully completed an equivalent course as part of their Type 03 preparation. If so, submit the name and course description of the course to the academic advisor. The Dean of the School of Education has final authority on whether or not EDU 317 will be exempted. Clinical Practice Type 03 certificate holders are required to successfully complete pre-primary clinical practice, and possibly primary clinical practice as well. Eligibility for Clinical Practice Type 03 certificate holders must still apply for clinical practice by the published deadlines as directed.* Type 03 certificate holders must still complete and pass the Lesson Plan Portfolio by the published deadlines as directed.* V Kendall College School of Education Handbook p. 26