Teacher Education

Teacher Education

Information about teacher education may be found at the following website: http://www.eiu.edu/ceps/teached/. Please check this site regularly: As rules, regulations, and dates change, you’ll find the most current information here.

The following information is intended to serve as a general guide for students wishing to qualify for an Illinois teaching certificate. While all of Eastern Illinois University’s teacher education programs are approved by the Illinois State Board of Education, only the state can issue teaching certificates. Effective July 2004 the requirements by which these certificates are awarded was changed and students must meet the new requirements as set forth by the Illinois State Board of Education. More detailed information is available through the College of Education and Professional Studies.

Click on a link to be taken to the entry below.

The State of Illinois currently issues a range of teaching certificates, all of which are available through various programs offered by Eastern. They are listed in the following table by name, type, and grade level:

• Early Childhood Certificate (Birth through Grade 3)
• Elementary Certificate (Kindergarten through Grade 9*)
• High School Certificate (Grade 6 through Grade 12*)
• Special Certificate (Kindergarten through Grade 12)

* Individuals wishing to teach in grades 6-8 are required to take specific course work relative to teaching in the middle grades.

Early Childhood and Elementary Certificates

Students interested in an Early Childhood certificate should major in Early Childhood Education. Early Childhood majors may add Elementary Education certification. For Elementary certification, students should pursue a major in Elementary Education as outlined in this section. Options available in the Elementary Education major are Middle School and General. Each of these options serves a different purpose, and students are urged to consult the Department of Early Childhood, Elementary and Middle Level Education for additional information.

High School Certificates

The route to a high school certificate is through one of the academic majors with teacher certification. Please refer to the College of Education and Professional Studies teacher education web site (www.eiu.edu/ceps/teached) for a listing of majors with teacher certification. Additional course work is required for students wishing to teach in grades 6-8.

Special Certificates

Special certificates, valid for teaching from kindergarten through grade 12, are available in the following fields: Art, Foreign Language, Music, Physical Education, and Special Education.

Individuals wishing to pursue a minor may select from those outlined in the catalog. Teacher certification minors are designed to help prepare individuals seeking certification in a second teaching area and are only available to those who are completing a major in an approved teacher preparation program of the same certificate type. Completion of a teacher certification minor does not guarantee that the individual will be granted an endorsement to teach in that field. Individuals must meet all requirements (including state tests) as set forth by the Illinois State Board of Education to be granted an endorsement in a second teaching field. Minors not so identified are considered “non-teaching” minors and, in most cases, do not meet Illinois state teaching requirements.

Note: A student entering Fall 2002 and thereafter must earn a 2.65 GPA in a teaching minor.

Since not all requirements are listed in the same place, students should take note that they must satisfy all of the following:

• University General Education Requirements
• Major Requirements. (See appropriate major.)
• Professional Education Requirements. (See below.)
• Requirements for Admission to Teacher Education. (See below.)
• Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate from a teacher certification program, you must complete the approved certification program and graduation requirements with a 2.65 cumulative and major GPA and complete all professional education courses with a grade of “C” or better. Note: Some majors require a higher GPA; please consult departmental requirements.

For individuals seeking certificates in Early Childhood, Elementary Education, or Special Education, the Professional Education requirements are included as a part of the respective major and are outlined elsewhere in this section.

Individuals seeking a High School certificate, or a Special Certificate in Art, Foreign Language, Music or Physical Education must complete the following Professional Education requirements. Two professional components are listed. Students may choose either the “Regular Program” or the “Integrated Program” but cannot mix the two. Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all professional education courses in order to graduate from a teacher certification program.

• Departmental Methods Credits: 3-9
• EDF 2555 - Diversity of Schools and Societies: Social and Global Perspectives. Credits: 3
• EDF 4450 - Philosophy and History of Education. Credits: 3
• EDP 3331 - Theories of Learning and Development for Secondary Teachers. Credits: 3
• SED 2000 - Inquiry Into Teaching. Credits: 1
  (Exceptions to this course are in Music, Physical Education, and Career and Technical Education.)
• SED 3330 - Instructional Tasks in the Secondary School. Credits: 3
• SPE 3500 - The Education of Individuals with Exceptional Learning Needs: Access to the General Curriculum. Credits: 3 (The exception to this course is in physical education.)
• STG 4000 - Multicultural/Disabilities Practicum. Credits: 1
• STG 4001 - Student Teaching. Credits: 12-16
  (Register for 14 semester hours.)

Recommended Courses

The following courses are highly recommended to assure standards are met and may be required in your major (consult with advisor or your major listing):

• EDU 2022 - Teaching and Learning with Technology in Classrooms. Credits: 2
• EDU 4281 - Teaching Reading and Language Arts in Secondary Classrooms. Credits: 3
• HST 3000 - Health Concepts for Teachers Credits: 2
• MLE 4280 - Teaching Reading in the Middle/Secondary School. Credits: 3
• PED 3000 - Fitness Concepts for Teachers. Credits: 1

ISEP is an integrated, competency-based program emphasizing early exposure to the public high school classroom. Instruction is flexible with specific learning modules and a Credit/No Credit grading system. Some classes may be held in the public schools; car-pooling can be arranged. Admission is by application only.

For further information concerning either the Regular or Integrated program, contact the Department of Secondary Education and Foundations or visit the department’s web site.

ISEP Program Courses (Total 28-31 Hours)

Departmental Methods Credits: 3-9

• EDF 2555 - Diversity of Schools and Societies: Social and Global Perspectives. Credits: 3
• SED 2000 - Inquiry Into Teaching. Credits: 1
  Exceptions to this course are in Communication Disorders and Sciences, Music, Physical Education, and Career and Technical Education.
  A clinical experience fee is charged for this course.
• SED 3000 - ISEP Level I. Credits: 3
  Courses must be taken in sequence but not necessarily in consecutive semesters.
• SED 3100 - ISEP Level II. Credits: 3
  Courses must be taken in sequence but not necessarily in consecutive semesters.
• SED 4000 - ISEP Level III. Credits: 3
  (A technology-delivered course.)
• STG 4001 - Student Teaching. Credits: 12-16
  (Register for 12 semester hours.)

Recommended Courses

The following courses are highly recommended to assure standards are met and may be required in your major (consult with advisor or your major listing):

• EDU 2022 - Teaching and Learning with Technology in Classrooms. Credits: 2
• EDU 4281 - Teaching Reading and Language Arts in Secondary Classrooms. Credits: 3
• HST 3000 - Health Concepts for Teachers Credits: 2
• MLE 4280 - Teaching Reading in the Middle/Secondary School. Credits: 3
• PED 3000 - Fitness Concepts for Teachers. Credits: 1

The Alternative Teacher Certification Program is designed to prepare individuals to teach in severe shortage areas and provides an intensive course of study in educational foundations, pedagogy, and methodology, followed by a year-long internship during which students are hired and paid as first-year teachers. Specifically, students enroll in a web-based course in May, then in a full-time schedule of courses during the eight-week summer session. After successfully completing the summer course work, students complete an internship during which they are hired as full-time teachers for the entire academic year. The program culminates in a two-week comprehensive program assessment course that students take in the summer following their internship. The program is limited to students seeking either a K-12 teaching certificate in foreign languages or a secondary teaching certificate in one of following five subject-matter areas: math, science, family and consumer science education, business education, and technology education.

Candidates for this program must meet admission requirements that differ somewhat from other post-baccalaureate certification programs. Prerequisites include having completed a bachelor’s degree (GPA 2.65 or higher on a 4.0 scale) and a major or minor in the intended area of certification, having been employed for a period of at least five years in an area requiring application of the individual’s education, having passed the Illinois Basic Skills test and applicable subject-matter test, and having secured a commitment from a school district to be hired (and paid as a full-time teacher) for the internship. Interested students should contact the Coordinator of Web-Based and Alternative Teacher Certification Programs for specific requirements and additional program details.

The State of Illinois has established a testing program as part of its teacher certification program.   This program consists of a test of basic skills, subject-matter knowledge tests, and an assessment of professional teaching.

The Basic Skills Test measures basic skills in reading, writing, grammar, and mathematics.  Students are required to pass this test for selection.  Under Illinois law, no student may be admitted to a teacher education program without first passing the Basic Skills Test.

Students are required to pass the content-area test in their discipline(s) no later than the end of the semester prior to student teaching.  Furthermore, students must pass the content-area test in all other fields for which they are seeking as endorsement (in addition to hour requirements).  Tests for additional endorsements do not need to be passed prior to student teaching, but must be passed prior to program completion.

The Assessment of Professional Teaching is a test over the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards and all teacher standards in English/Language Arts and Technology.  This test must be passed before a student can be awarded a certificate by the State of Illinois.

Students should begin the process of applying for their teaching certificates early in the term in which they will graduate or complete all requirements.  Forms and instructions will be distributed by the Student Teaching Coordinators.

Selection Process for Undergraduate Teacher Education Programs

All students (including native, transfer and post-baccalaureate students) who wish to enroll in an initial certification program must be selected through the Selection Process for Undergraduate Teacher Education Programs.

To be selected a student must:

1. submit a formal application for University Admission to Teacher Education,
2. complete 29 s.h. or more of college level course work,
3. obtain and document passing scores on the Illinois Test of Basic Skills, and
4. establish a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.65 or higher.

Selection occurs at the close of each semester. Transfer students may use a transfer GPA for the purpose of selection if they complete items 1-3 above no later than 30 days after initial enrollment at EIU. Post-baccalaureate teacher education candidates must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.65 on a 4.0 scale at the point of graduation with the bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The undergraduate GPA will be used for selection for post-baccalaureate candidates. A post-baccalaureate student may use the graduate GPA for purposes of selection if the student has successfully completed a master’s degree program. (The student has the responsibility of notifying the dean’s office and furnishing evidence of the graduate GPA.)

Approval to take courses does not of itself admit a student to a teacher education program. A student may not be considered for “University Approval to Take Teacher Education Courses” without being selected (see section on Selection Process above). The University Council on Teacher Education determines admission.

Applicants for University Approval to take Teacher Education Courses should be aware that Section 21-1 of the School Code of Illinois states in part, “No one shall be certified to teach or supervise at the public schools of the State of Illinois who is not of good character, good health and at least 19 years of age.” In addition to the qualifications required for teacher certification by the State Code, the following are required by the Council on Teacher Education for University Approval to Take Teacher Education Courses:

1. Received official notification of selection (see Selection Process section above).
2. Submitted letter of intent to Office of the Dean, College of Education and Professional Studies.
3. Established and maintained an EIU cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.65/4.0 (Post-baccalaureate students required to have GPA 2.65 undergraduate, and 3.0 for courses #4750 and above taken at EIU). Students selected under the selection process in place prior to Fall 2002 are required to establish and maintain an EIU cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5/4.0.
4. Completed Speech and Hearing Clearance. Student must schedule an appointment with the Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic for this.
5. Documented “C” or better in ENG 1001G, ENG 1002G, and SPC 1310G or their equivalents.
6. Documented “C” or better in 3 s.h. of college level math.
7. Documented “C” or better in ELE/MLE 2000 or ELE 2321; SPE 3201 or SPE 3220; SED 2000 or PED 2000 or MUS 2440 or CDS 3700 or CTE 2000.
8. Completed the first required Criminal Background Investigation (CBI).
9. Documented successful completion of the Technology Proficiency.

When a student has met all of the above criteria, he/she will have earned “University Approval to Take Teacher Education Courses.”

To be formally admitted to Teacher Education Programs, students must be selected, have earned University Approval to Take Teacher Education Courses and successfully complete SED 3330/EDP 3331 or SED 3100 or ELE 3000 or ELE 3250 or MLE 3110 or SPE 4800/4820 with a grade of “C” or better and earn positive practicum evaluations, thus demonstrating the knowledge, skills and dispositions of one desiring to enter the teaching profession.  Students selected under the selection process in place prior to Fall 2002 must also pass the Illinois Certification Test of Basic Skills.

All teacher certification candidates are required to submit to a criminal background investigation at two points in their academic career: upon selection and prior to student teaching. The criminal background investigations are conducted by the Illinois State Police and are coordinated by the Department of Human Resources and the College of Education and Professional Studies.  The University passes along the cost of these background investigations to students.

Incoming freshman students who have demonstrated excellent scholarship as measured by ACT scores and high school class rank may be eligible to be admitted to the Education Scholars Program in the College of Education and Professional Studies.

Community college transfer students who have demonstrated excellent scholarship at the community college as measured by GPA and involvement in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities may also be eligible for admission to the Education Scholars Program.

Students admitted to the program will receive:

• A letter from the Dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies and certificate verifying membership in the Education Scholars Program.
• An invitation to “special” University Admission to Teacher Education meetings and other recognition activities.
• Special opportunities for interaction with faculty and other Education Scholars.

Students must remain in good academic standing and continue to meet teacher education requirements to remain in the Education Scholars Program.

For information about the Education Scholars Program, contact the College of Education and Professional Studies or the Admissions Office, or visit the College of Education and Professional Studies teacher education web site at http://www.eiu.edu/~ceps/teached.

Bachelor in General Studies Program

Students pursuing a BA in General Studies degree are not eligible for teacher certification as undergraduates. Those students wishing to pursue teacher certification must either complete a degree in one of the University’s approved teacher education programs or complete the BOT BA in General Studies degree and then seek admission to one of the approved  teacher education programs as post-baccalaureate students.

Post-Baccalaureate Students

(Including those currently holding an Illinois Teaching Certificate wishing to add a subsequent teaching certificate)

All Post-baccalaureate students seeking a teaching certificate (including those seeking a subsequent teaching certificate) through any of EIU’s state approved certification programs are expected to meet the full intent of the respective programs. All previous course work, either graduate or undergraduate, will be evaluated in terms of current requirements. This will include general education, a major, and the professional education requirements. Post-baccalaureate students must complete a minimum of 15 semester hours at EIU prior to student teaching.  Individuals currently holding an Illinois Teaching Certificate and seeking to add a subsequent teaching certificate may request to substitute one year of documented, successful, full-time teaching on a valid teaching certificate for Student Teaching.

Departments may require additional course work within their major to bring the student’s background into compliance with the intent of this institution’s state-approved certification program. Departments may also require previous work to be repeated if it is outdated. Post-baccalaureate students are subject to all Admission to Teacher Education requirements (see previous section).

Individuals who enter the University as post-baccalaureate students must have completed an undergraduate degree program at an accredited institution of higher education and graduated with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.65 or higher on a 4.0 scale. A post-baccalaureate student’s undergraduate GPA will be used for the purpose of selection.

If the student’s undergraduate GPA in the area of the approved program he/she wishes to follow was below a 2.65 (on a four point scale), 12 semester hours must be taken in the major to establish a grade-point average in the major of at least 2.65 or better. (Higher GPAs may be required by some departments.)

Appeal Process for Selection GPA for Post-Baccalaureate Students

A post-baccalaureate student may use the graduate GPA for purposes of selection if the student has successfully completed a master’s degree program.  (The student has the responsibility of notifying the dean’s office and furnishing evidence of the graduate GPA.).

Post-baccalaureate students may appeal the use of the undergraduate GPA to the Executive Officer of the Council on Teacher Education (the Dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies) and request the use of an alternative GPA for purposes of the selection if the student:

Completed the baccalaureate degree five years ago or more and has evidence of 12 semester hours of post-baccalaureate course work relevant to teaching certification at a 3.0 GPA level or above.

The student is encouraged to appeal early in the semester in which the 12 semester hours will be completed.

The appeals decisions of the Executive Officer of the Council on Teacher Education are final. 

Post-baccalaureate certification requires a commitment of a minimum of three or more semesters. Professional education course work and student teaching for some programs are sequenced over four semesters. For most students, the program takes about two years to complete. Not all courses are offered every semester and summer offerings may be limited. In order to be ready to register for classes, a student must have a completed transcript evaluation specifying all courses needed to earn certification. All students must complete General Education, Professional Education, and major department requirements for initial certification. All students considering this program should contact the Office of the Dean, College of Education and Professional Studies. There are fees related to this professional certification transcript evaluation process.

Admission to the Graduate School does NOT constitute Admission to Teacher Education. Students should apply for Admission to Teacher Education within the first thirty days of enrollment as a post-baccalaureate student. Application for student teaching placement is a separate process. Please follow the instructions for student teaching placement as outlined in this catalog.

Under certain conditions admission to teacher education may be revoked by the Council on Teacher Education. Major causes of revocation are explained at the scheduled admissions meeting.

To be eligible for a student teaching assignment, a student must attain 90 semester hours or more toward graduation and must have complied with all regulations and qualifications relative to “University Approval to take Teacher Education Courses” and “University Approval to Student Teach.” Students must register for Student Teaching 4001 through EIU to qualify for graduation. Registration and fees are required as with other regular course work. Students are assigned to student teach in public schools in one of the student teaching centers located throughout the state. Assignments are made by the Student Teaching Coordinators. The public school cooperating teacher to whom each student is assigned holds licensure consistent with the licensure the student teacher is seeking and the setting and subject area assignment are appropriate to the license. Students engaged in student teaching are limited to a total academic load of 15 semester hours (except in Special Education, Early Childhood Education, and Early Childhood Education with dual certification in Elementary Education) and the number of hours of outside work permitted is restricted.

Individuals who hold a valid teaching license, have student taught previously in completion of an approved teacher education program, and document one year or more successful teaching experience as the teacher responsible for delivering the Special Education components of the individualized educational program, may substitute completion of 6 s.h. of Special Education course work specific to instructional strategies for the student teaching experience.  This course work must result in successful completion of supervised, evaluated practica.

A full semester (15 or 16 weeks) of assigned student teaching/professional experience is required of all students seeking initial licensure. Students should consult the Professional Education Requirements for Teacher Certification Programs and individual course listings for specific information.

Application Process

Every student planning to student teach must attend the Application to Student Teaching Meeting (announced by Student Teaching) during the Fall semester preceding the academic year in which the student plans to student teach. For example, a student who plans to student teach during the 2008-2009 academic year must attend the meeting in Fall 2007. At this meeting students will learn of the procedures they must follow in order to student teach and receive an application package. All application materials received at that meeting must be completed and turned in to Student Teaching by the announced deadline date. Failure to attend a meeting to apply to student teach or failure to complete the application materials by the deadline will result in a minimum of a one-year delay in student teaching.

Placement Centers

All student teaching at Eastern is completed in approved sites only. Student Teaching Coordinators make placements, supervise and evaluate student teachers in collaboration with the public school cooperating teacher in the local schools. Students must student teach in an approved site. Students cannot student teach in districts where they attended school or in districts in which relatives are employed or where there is a significant conflict of interest. Students cannot be employed in the district in which they are student teaching. The University retains the right to determine student teaching placement(s).

Many school districts (especially those in the Chicago area) have additional criteria and standards for those who wish to student teach. Placement in the Chicago area is very competitive.

Prerequisites and Requirements for Student Teaching

1. Course Prerequisites:
   1. Early Childhood Education Curriculum. Students must have completed Elementary Education 4880 and all prerequisites and co-requisites to it.
   2. Elementary Education School Curriculum. Students must have completed Elementary Education 4880 and all prerequisites and co-requisites to it.
   3. Special Education Curriculum. To student teach in Special Education, students must have completed Special Education 4900 and 4901, and all prerequisites to them.
   4. Middle Level Education Curriculum. Students must have completed Middle Level Education 3110 and 4280 or an approved substitute and all prerequisites and co-requisites to them. Equivalent courses submitted must be approved by the Dean, College of Education and Professional Studies.
   5. Secondary and Special Area Curricula. Students must have completed Educational Psychology 3331 and Secondary Education 3330, and all required departmental methods courses and all course prerequisites to those noted.
   6. Integrated Secondary Education Program. Students in the Integrated Secondary Education Program must follow the same procedures as all other students when applying for a student teaching assignment. Students in the Integrated Secondary Education Program register for Secondary Education 4000 and STG 4001. Secondary Education 3000 and 3100 are prerequisites.
2. Students must complete courses in the major with a minimum of a 2.65 GPA and a 2.65 cumulative GPA. (NOTE: Some majors require a higher GPA; please consult departmental requirements.) Students who were selected under the selection process in place prior to Fall 2002 are required to complete courses in the major with a minimum of a 2.50, and a 2.50 cumulative GPA.  (NOTE: Some majors require a higher GPA; please consult departmental requirements.)
3. Transfer students must have been in residence at EIU for at least one semester or one summer term.
4. A PPD tuberculin test must be completed and documentation provided to University Health Services within 90 days of the beginning of student teaching.
5. A Criminal Background Investigation must be completed during the semester prior to student teaching.
6. Students will complete a sequence of supervised and evaluated pre-student teaching clinical experiences before the student teaching semester.
7. Effective Fall 2004 student teaching may not commence until passing scores on the Illinois Content Area Test have been earned and documented.

Granting of Credit for the Student Teaching Experience

Student Teaching 4001 is a credit or no-credit course.  A credit will be earned only if the candidate does each of the following:

1. Successfully completes the student teaching experience (successful completion is determined by the judgment of the University coordinator in consultation with the cooperating teacher);
2. Completes all departmental requirements which may apply.

Criminal Background Investigations

All teacher licensure candidates are required to submit to a criminal background investigation the semester prior to student teaching. The criminal background investigations are conducted by the Illinois State Police and are coordinated by the EIU Department of Human Resources and the College of Education and Professional Studies.  The University passes along the cost of these background investigations to students.

Approval to Student Teach is a multiple-step process, including earning “Departmental Approval to Student Teach.” The Office of the Dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies will send the applying student’s name to the major department for Departmental Approval to Student Teach.  Students must complete courses in the major with a minimum of a 2.65 GPA and a 2.65 cumulative GPA. (NOTE: Some majors require a higher GPA; please consult departmental requirements.)  Students who were selected under the selection process in place prior to Fall 2002 are required to complete courses in the major with a minimum of a 2.50, and a 2.50 cumulative GPA.  (NOTE: Some majors require a higher GPA; please consult departmental requirements.)  In addition, students must document passage of Illinois Certification content-area test in their discipline(s) no later than the end of the semester prior to student teaching.

Every student planning to student teach must formally apply at an Application to Student Teach Meeting (announced by the Office of Student Teaching). These meetings are held during the Fall semester preceding the academic year in which the student plans to student teach. All application materials received at that meeting must be completed and turned in to the Office of Student Teaching, 2418 Buzzard Hall, by the announced deadline date. Failure to attend a meeting to apply to student teach or failure to complete the application materials by the deadline will result in a minimum of a one-year delay in student teaching.

Students must have received conditional “University Approval to Student Teach,” including department approval, no later than mid-term of the semester prior to student teaching, with final approval granted at the close of the semester.  A student who is refused “University Approval to Student Teach” or whose approval is revoked may appeal the decision to the Council on Teacher Education. The decision of the committee is final.  Appeal forms may be secured in the office of the Dean, College of Education and Professional Studies.

After a student has applied to student teach s/he must contact his/her own major department and submit an application to that department for “Departmental Approval to Student Teach.” “Departmental Approval to Student Teach” is the responsibility of the
candidate’s major department and must include the following:

1. Completion of courses in the major with a minimum of a 2.65 GPA and a 2.65 cumulative GPA. (NOTE: Some majors require a higher average in the major; please consult departmental requirements.) Students who were selected under the selection process in place prior to Fall 2002 are required to complete courses in the major with a minimum of a 2.50, and a 2.50 cumulative GPA.
2. A grade of C or better in each professional education course completed.
3. Evidence of recent participation in professional organizations, meetings, and /or appropriate activities with youth.
4. A portfolio submitted by the student to the department which includes: lesson plans, unit plans, and evidence of group work, communication skills, and ability to work well with youth (including #3 above), and a résumé.
5. Other criteria as determined by the student’s major department. Department criteria are available in the Department Office.
6. Complete the second required Criminal Background Investigation.

Students must have received “University Approval to Student Teach,” including department approval, no later than mid-term of the semester prior to student teaching (on or before October 15 for Spring student teaching; or on or before March 15 for Fall student teaching). A student who is refused “University Approval to Student Teach,” or whose approval is revoked may appeal the decision to the Council on Teacher Education. The decision of the Council is final. Appeal forms may be secured from the Office of the Dean, College of Education and Professional Studies.

Pre-Placement Meeting

The first step in the placement process is a required meeting between the student and the prospective Student Teaching Coordinator who will be making placement arrangements. At this meeting the student and Coordinator will discuss the issues related to placement. Students must know any and all departmental placement requirements prior to meeting with the Student Teaching Coordinator and must have applied for graduation.

Registration

Student teachers must be registered for credit during the student teaching semester.  Each student is responsible for registering for the section of STG 4001 (Student Teaching) appropriate for the major:

• Special Education should register for STG 4001, Section 016 (16 sem. hrs.).
• Early Childhood Education majors and Early Childhood Education majors with dual certification in Elementary Education should register for STG 4001, Section 016 (16 sem. hrs.).
• ISEP students should register for SED 4000 (3 sem. hrs.) and STG 4001, Section 012 (12 sem. hrs.)
• All other majors should register for STG 4001, Section 014 (14 sem. hrs.).
• SED 4000 - ISEP Level III. Credits: 3
  (A technology-delivered course)
• STG 4001 - Student Teaching. Credits: 12-16

Responsibilities During Student Teaching

Students have a wide variety of responsibilities during student teaching. These responsibilities may extend well beyond the time when students go home at the end of the day. Student teachers should be prepared to attend school-related activities as determined to be appropriate in consultation with the cooperating teacher.

1. Students enrolled in student teaching must assume all necessary transportation and living expenses.
2. Students enrolled in student teaching are encouraged to live in the community in which they do their teaching and are expected to follow the local school calendar.
3. Student teachers are expected to follow the same schedule as their Cooperating teacher(s). Student teachers will be prepared to engage in school-related activities as determined appropriate in consultation with their cooperating teachers.
4. Students engaged in student teaching are expected to participate in all activities with their Cooperating teacher(s). This may include extracurricular activities as guidance programs of the school, audio-visual programs, after-school programs, study hall supervision, preparation of assembly programs, field trips, dramatics, attendance at P.T.O. meetings, faculty meetings, and generally participate as faculty members in all of the activities of the school and community.
5. Students who are absent from school (except for student teaching seminars and approved meetings) are expected to complete additional days to make up the days missed.
6. Attendance is expected at a series of seminars related to student teaching. Seminars will be planned and implemented by the Student Teaching Coordinators.

Course Work During Student Teaching Semester

Taking additional course during student teaching is generally not allowed. Students who wish to take another course during the student teaching semester must be granted a waiver from the Academic Waiver Appeals Committee (AWAC). If course work interferes with the student teaching experience students will be required to drop the course or student teaching.

Outside Activities/Employment During the Student Teaching Semester

If a student’s activities or work schedule interferes with student teaching, the student will be requested to make changes in those activities or work schedule so they do not interfere with student teaching.

Termination of Student Teaching Placement

Students are guests of the host school district. A School district and/or the University retains the right to terminate a student teaching placement. A subsequent conference to examine options will be held with the student and the Student Teaching Coordinator and/or Student Teaching Chair, with input from the major department as needed or appropriate.

ALL teacher licensure majors (including Post Baccalaureate students) MUST take STG 4000 (except for ISEP students who complete the multicultural requirements within the course modules). This class is designed to provide experiences with school populations in multicultural settings and students with disabilities. Some students may wish to take STG 4000 during the student teaching semester. Options for STG 4000.

1. A student may take STG 4000 scheduled during Intersession.  All students are waitlisted for this option, with priority given to students who will student teach in the Fall semester, and whose placement is not an approved multicultural site.
2. A student may be placed in an approved multicultural site during student teaching and complete a packet of activities.  Some regions have limited multicultural placement opportunities.  Students who wish to complete this option must discuss this option with their coordinators during the pre-placement meeting.
3. A student who is student teaching in non-approved sites may complete the course by participating for an additional 25 contact hours in an approved multicultural site.  A student in a non-approved site will work with his/her student teaching coordinator to complete the 25 hours in an approved site during the student teaching semester.

EIU is a member of the Consortium for Overseas Student Teaching (COST), a group of state and private universities committed to quality overseas student teaching experiences. Under the agency of this organization, Eastern offers qualified students an opportunity to do their student teaching abroad. Placements for overseas student teaching are made in selected schools in Australia, Ecuador, England, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Malaysia, Scotland and Wales. Interested individuals should contact the COST Coordinator, Department of Student Teaching, 2418 Buzzard Hall, for further information.  Availability of sites is dependent upon Content Area.

Students should begin the process of applying  for their teaching license early in the term in which they will graduate or complete all requirements. Forms and instructions will be distributed through student teaching coordinators during the student teaching semester. Students should see the earlier section for information about the Illinois Certification Tests.

Students should apply for graduation a minimum of one semester prior to student teaching. Please contact your College Graduation Officer for more information.