Teacher Certification

This policy was effective with the Fall semester 2001 for all incoming freshmen, transfer, re-entry and change of major students. Incumbent education majors will continue their studies under the previous standards.

In order to achieve teacher candidacy the pre-candidate must complete the following requirements prior to the semester earning 48 credits:

♦ Have a C or better in 3 hours of composition, 3 hours of literature, 3 hours of speech, and 6 hours of mathematics

♦ Pass the basic skills assessment of Praxis I in reading, writing, mathematics and have official scores on file at Kutztown University

Pre-candidates should apply for teacher candidacy during the semester they will obtain 48 credits. Applications can be obtained and returned to the major department. Pre-candidates who have not met all requirements: (1) will not be admitted to teacher candidacy; (2) cannot continue in the major; (3) cannot take teacher candidacy courses.

Note: Teacher candidates must pass all professional education courses with a "C" or better. Any teacher candidate for whom three letters are received from KU faculty, KU administrators, and/or public school personnel documenting the student's unsuitability for teaching may be denied entrance to any field experience including clinical experience and practicum.

STAGE II: REQUIREMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SEMESTER AND/OR EARLY FIELD EXPERIENCES:

♦ Complete the 30 hours departmental observation requirement prior to reaching 60 semester hours. Reentry, transfer, and change of major students must complete the observation requirement prior to the professional semester.

♦ Obtain a clear criminal background report as required by Acts 34 & 151 prior to registering for the professional semester and/or early field experiences.

♦ Obtain a criminal background report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), if a PA nonresident. If a FBI report is not possible, obtain PA and home state background checks.

Teacher candidates convicted of any summary, misdemeanor, or felony offense will be removed from the professional semester and/or early field experience assignment.

Note: The dean, assistant dean, and department chairs will determine continuation in the teacher education program. Teacher candidates denied clearance for STAGE II: (1) will NOT be permitted to pursue their professional semester and/or early field experience; (2) will NOT be permitted to pursue a teacher education major; (3) will NOT be permitted to enroll in additional courses within teacher education programs; (4) must declare a major outside of teacher education, if they plan to continue at Kutztown University.

♦ Complete the professional semester and/or early field experience. This requires a satisfactory recommendation from field experience cooperating teachers and the KU coordinator.

♦ Complete all courses in the major required for clinical experience and practicum.

♦ Receive a positive recommendation from the department chairperson or screening committee. This recommendation will be withheld if three letters are received documenting the teacher candidate's unsuitability for teaching.

♦ Obtain a clear criminal background report as required under Acts 34 & 151 prior to registering for the clinical experience and practicum semester.

♦ Obtain a criminal background report from the FBI if not a PA resident. If a FBI report is not possible, obtain PA and home state background checks.

♦ Effective Fall 2007 prior to clinical experience and practicum the Praxis II exams must be passed and official scores on file at KU.

Teacher candidates convicted of any summary, misdemeanor, or felony offense will be removed from the clinical experience and practicum assignment.

Note: Teacher candidates (including newly admitted, re-entry, & transfer students) must achieve a minimum of "C" in both assignments of clinical experience and practicum and have at least a four on the PDE 430 forms with no one area ranked below one to successfully complete the program. Teacher candidates must maintain a minimum of 3.0 GPA in the major and overall to become eligible for PA teacher certification.

Right to Appeal: Teacher candidates have the right to appeal decisions to the Dean of the College of Education who chairs the Council for Teacher Education.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: U.S. CITIZENSHIP OR A WRITTEN DECLARATION OF INTENT TO BECOME A U.S. CITIZEN WITHIN SIX YEARS IS A REQUIREMENT FOR PA CERTIFICATION.

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