Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Not all questions have answers at the moment and the site is still under development . Please check back. Send any questions to which you'd like answers to rodney_earle@byu.edu
GENERAL FAQs
What program options exist within teacher education?
BYU offers the following undergraduate degree programs related to teacher preparation:
B.S. in Early Childhood Education: For details, go to http://saas.byu.edu/catalog/current/depts/Teach_Ed/ECE.aspx
B.S. in Elementary Education: For details, go to http://saas.byu.edu/catalog/current/depts/Teach_Ed/ElEd.aspx
B.S. in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education: For details, go to http://saas.byu.edu/catalog/current/depts/Teach_Ed/ElEd_Major.aspx#EarlyChildhood
B.S. in Teaching Social Science (secondary): For details, go to http://saas.byu.edu/catalog/current/depts/Teach_Ed/ScEd_Major.aspx
Other secondary teaching degrees are available. Contact the appropriate major department. A list of these majors may be seen at http://saas.byu.edu/catalog/current/depts/Teach_Ed/ScEd.aspx
How do I apply for admission to a teacher education program?
Applications for admission are accepted twice a year: September 15 and January 15. Application forms and instructions are available online:
Early Childhood Education http://education.byu.edu/ted/early_childhood.html
Elementary Education http://education.byu.edu/ted/pdf/ElEdApplication.pdf
Secondary Social Sciences http://education.byu.edu/ted/secondary_forms.html
For other secondary education majors, contact the appropriate department or advisement center.
Is it possible to defer my program enrollment for a mission or other reasons?
Deferment from the Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education program may be granted on the basis of extreme need, such as to serve a mission, for health or financial problems, and for special programs, such as Study Abroad or teaching in another country. For the procedures, click here.
How can I make sure I am taking the right courses for my program?
Be sure to talk to an advisor and check your ABC report and the MAP for your major. The MAPs can be found at http://saas.byu.edu/depts/advisement/map.aspx.
Find your advisement center at http://saas.byu.edu/depts/registration/acad_advise.aspx
How do I know which classes to take before I apply to my education major? What classes will I take after I apply?
Be sure to talk to an advisor and check your ABC report and the MAP for your major. The MAPs can be found at http://saas.byu.edu/depts/advisement/map.aspx.
Find your advisement center at http://saas.byu.edu/depts/registration/acad_advise.aspx
What is a Teacher Work Sample?
The Teacher Work Sample (TWS) is a major assignment related to your clinical experience during your program.
The TWS contains seven teaching processes identified by research and best practice as fundamental to improving student learning. Each teaching process is followed by a TWS standard, pertinent INTASC standards addressed, the task, prompts, and a rubric that defines various levels of performance on the TWS standard. The standards and rubrics will be used to evaluate the TWS.
To complete a TWS, you will follow these steps:
1. Prepare a comprehensive unit by:
• describing contextual factors of your class,
• identifying learning goal(s) and objectives based on your state or district content standards (see Utah core at http://www.uen.org/core/ ),
• creating an assessment plan designed to measure student performance before (pre-assessment), during (formative assessment) and after (post-assessment), and
• design instruction (lessons) based on your goal(s) and objectives.
2. Teach the unit you have prepared.
3. After you teach the unit:
• analyze student learning, and
• reflect upon and evaluate your teaching as related to student learning.
Candidates will receive detailed TWS instructions and practice throughout the program.
The Utah State Office of Education grants the teacher endorsement for English as a Second Language (ESL). Having this endorsement attached to your teaching license strengthens your preparation and may enhance job opportunities. Undergraduates may begin the necessary courses (16 credit hours) at any time. With one additional course, you may obtain a TESOL minor ( see http://linguistics.byu.edu/tesolK12Minor.php for details). For further information on the state endorsement go to www.usoe.k12.ut.us or for the BYU program contact Valerie Hales at valerie_hales@byu.edu or you may access the ESL/BEEDE website.
The Praxis II content tests are developed by Educational Testing Service (ETS) to measure candidates' knowledge of the subjects they will teach, as well as general and subject -specific pedagogical skills and knowledge. State offices of education require these tests for teacher education candidates to measure the academic achievement and proficiency of individuals completing teacher preparation programs.
For more general details go to the ETS site at http://ets.org/praxis/prxfaq.html
For details specific to BYU and Utah click here .
What is an internship? How do I apply for an internship?
In lieu of student teaching, education majors may apply for a one-year internship through their department; applicants must submit a request for internship with the regular student teaching application in 120 MCKB. See Policy and Procedures Handbook for Student Teaching and Internships, Section III, pp. 11-15 at education.byu.edu/fieldservices
When do I apply for student teaching?
Student teaching applications are due during the first month of the semester prior to student teaching. See the Field Services calendar at: education.byu.edu/fieldservices
Can I student teach outside the partnership or outside Utah?
Education majors may apply to student teach at one of the sites within the BYU National/International Student Teaching Program: Houston, TX; Mexico; Washington, D.C. For further information contact the National/International Program Directors: 206-B MCKB, 422-8117.
What is a professional review ?
During the program, faculty members regularly review each candidate’s standing in (1) academics, (2) teaching, (3) interpersonal relations, and (4) professionalism. Patterns of deficiencies in any of these areas may result in suspension or termination from the program. For the complete policy, click here.
Is there a complaint or grievance policy?
Candidates may submit a complaint or grievance about any aspect of their program. For the complete policy, click here.
What GPA and grades are required to remain in the Early Childhood and Elementary Education programs?
Candidates must maintain a 2.85 GPA. Individual course grades in the professional semesters must be C- or higher. Lower grades requre professional review.
Is there an appeals procedure?
Students may appeal if they are being removed from the program because of poor academic performance, poor teaching performance, or lack of professionalism if they can provide information that supports a re-examination of their status. For the complete policy, click here.
What is Livetext? Where do I go for assistance with Livetext?
Livetext is web-based data management / e-portfolio system which allows for the creation, sharing, saving, and storing of information, assignments, assessments and other artifacts to be used as evidence of candidate performance. You will register for Livetext during the admissions process. During your program you will submit key assignments to faculty for assessment via Livetext.
Assistance is available from the Livetext staff in 180MCKB. They may be contacted at 422-1190 or at livetext@byu.edu
What is the conceptual framework ?
Our educator preparation programs are centered on several aims designed to prepare professionals who (1) understand and apply the moral dimensions of teaching, (2) demonstrate academic excellence, (3) act with social competence, and (4) engage in meaningful collaboration. These aims together with the University aims provide a shared vision for our licensure programs. They provide direction for all aspects of the programs, including admissions, coursework design, candidate performance and assessment, and unit accountability. For the complete conceptual framework document, click here.
How do I set up a career placement file?
A career placement file is an essential step in the job search process. Instructions are available in both video and written format at www.educationplacement.byu.edu . Candidates are required to establish this file prior to the student teaching semester.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FAQs
What is involved in the four-semester ECE program?
Application and admission to the ECE program occurs during your last semester of your sophomore year. Upon acceptance, you have 4 semesters to complete the ECE program. The 4 semester program must be completed in the proper sequence .The first two semesters consist of various required courses. Although some courses can be taken during either of these two semesters, some must only be taken during the 1st semester as prerequisites for courses that will be taken during the 2nd semester (see MAP for a list of all required courses) . Upon successful completion of these 2 semesters, you will be allowed to begin the 3rd semester which is referred to as the cohort semester which includes taking critical methods courses on campus as well as being placed in public school classrooms to apply the methods you are learning. Upon successful completion of the cohort or 3rd semester, you will be allowed to do your student teaching or internship if applicable. Upon successful completion of student teaching or an internship, you will be qualified to graduate and receive your ECE teaching license.
What constitutes the field experience in the cohort semester?
The 3rd semester of the program is an important step as you begin to apply the knowledge and methods in actual public school classrooms. You will enroll in critical method courses which will address teaching strategies in math, literacy, science, social studies, assessment, planning, and management. You will also take a senior seminar course that addresses education and religion. You will take these courses with the same group or cohort of students. The first 6 weeks of the semester, you will be on campus attending these courses. Beginning the 7th week of the semester, you will be placed in a primary grade classes (1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade). For the remaining 8 weeks of the semester, you will attend this classroom Monday thru Wednesday applying the strategies and methods you are learning in the methods courses which you will continue to take on Thursdays and Fridays of the semester. The classroom or field experience will involve working closely with the classroom teacher in learning how to manage a classroom as well as creating and implementing appropriate lesson plans. You will be observed by your classroom teacher as well as a university supervisor who will provide feedback and evaluations on your teaching, planning, and classroom management To successfully complete the cohort semester, you must pass all the methods course with a C- or higher, as well as receiving passing evaluations on your classroom experience from the mentor teacher and supervisor.
What constitutes ECE student teaching?
Student teaching begins your 4th and final semester of the program. To receive an ECE teaching license, you must successfully complete 2 blocks of student teaching. One block must be in a preschool or kindergarten setting and one block must be in a primary grade (1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade) setting. During each block you will have be the lead teacher for 2 weeks. You will receive feedback and evaluations from the classroom teacher and a university supervisor who will observe you on a weekly basis. Successful completion of student teaching requires receiving passing evaluations on your classroom experience from the teacher and supervisor. Refer to the Field Services policy handbook for more details.
Where will I do my ECE cohort classroom experience and student teaching (or internship)?
Classrooms placements for your cohort semester and student teaching will be in any of the schools in the 5 partnership school districts along the Wasatch Front (Nebo, Provo, Alpine, Wasatch, and Jordan). Placements are also made at the Child and Family Laboratory ( BYU Preschool and Kindergarten in the JFSB)programs. Although extenuating circumstances will be considered when you are placed, you must be able and willing to go to any of the schools in these districts.
Can ECE students do internships?
Yes! ECE students can do internships and should consider this possibility early in the program if not before. If you are interested , you must apply to the 4 semester program so that you are doing your cohort semester during the winter semester. During the cohort semester, students wanting to do internships must apply and be interviewed. If an internship is offered, it will begin the following fall semester. To receive an ECE teaching license, you must successfully complete 2 blocks of student teaching. One block must be in a preschool or kindergarten setting and one block must be in a primary grade (1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade) setting. An internship, although a year long will meet the requirements of one block. Thus, students doing an internship must complete a spring or summer block of student teaching before or after their internship in order to meet all the criteria for receiving an ECE teaching license. Refer to the Field Services policy handbook for more details.
What are the ECE program transition points?
The assessment system focuses on data collection and analysis of major assessments at four critical transition points (gateways) established for the teacher preparation program.
1. Entry/Admissions
2. Pre-clinical
3. Clinical/Exit
4. Alumni
Transition points identify stages in the program in which candidates are expected to develop a level of competency in the standards identified in the conceptual framework. The performances of all candidates enrolled in a program are assessed using the major assessments identified with each transition point. Criteria have been established at each transition point to determine if the candidate is prepared to proceed to the next stage of the program. Should the candidate fail to meet the requirements, program policies outline possible consequences.
For a detailed listing of assessments at each transition point, click here.
What is the difference between an ECE license and an ElEd license?
An ECE license allows you to teach in Kindergarten through the Third Grade. An El Ed license allows you to teach in Grades 1-6. Although Utah does not require a license to teach Preschool children, the courses you take in the ECE program will meet licensing requirements in other states.
What exploratory experience is required for ECE admission?
The Early Childhood Education (ECE) Exploratory Experience requires you to spend a minimum of 25 hours in an early childhood settings (private/public preschool, kindergarten, and/or primary grades). Your experience in these settings will include observing the teaching and learning of children, interviewing teachers and administrators, serving in schools, and extending your interests to related agencies and organizations. You will submit a log and report summarizing your experience. This experience is designed to:
- Help you explore the teaching profession in a variety of settings;
- Allow you to evaluate your decision to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education;
- Provide the ECE Admission Committee information (together with other components of your application) to make a decision regarding your admission into the Early Childhood Education Program.
For more detailed information, go to http://education.byu.edu/ted/early_childhood.html
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION FAQs
What is involved in the four-semester El Ed preparation program?
Following admission, a candidate may complete all required courses in the Elementary Education preparation program in four semesters. For the courses taken in each of the four semesters, click here. A program MAP is also available.
Following the first semester after admission to the Elementary Education program, candidates are placed in cohorts (groups) of approximately 30 candidates for a prescribed, integrated teacher preparation sequence. Cohorts remain together for a full year (two semesters) and receive instuction (course work and field experiences) from a designated team of instructors each semester.
What constitutes the field experience in the two cohort semesters?
Each cohort semester has a field experience in which elementary teacher education students spend six hours a day for twenty days in an elemetary school classroom. During the first cohort semester, cohort teachers are usually placed in a first or second grade to develop the primary literacy skills and to complete related assignments. The second semester experience is usually in a third through sixth grade to develop the intermediate literacy skills and to complete related assignments. Cohort students observe teaching practices, support the classroom teacher, interact with children, and teach planned lessons. They are mentored and evaluated by a classroom teacher, a school facilitator, and a BYU CFA or Liaison.
Is it possible to request a school in which to do my cohort field experiences or my student teaching?
Candidates may not request specific schools for clinical experiences. Every effort is made to provide each cohort student or student teacher with a professionally appropriate setting that includes variations in grade level, location and cultural and ethnic diversity. However, if you feel you have an exceptional circumstance, you may discuss your situation with your liaison.
What are the El Ed program transition points?
The assessment system focuses on data collection and analysis of major assessments at four critical transition points (gateways) established for the teacher preparation program.
1. Entry/Admissions
2. Pre-clinical
3. Clinical/Exit
4. Alumni
Transition points identify stages in the program in which candidates are expected to develop a level of competency in the standards identified in the conceptual framework. The performances of all candidates enrolled in a program are assessed using the major assessments identified with each transition point. Criteria have been established at each transition point to determine if the candidate is prepared to proceed to the next stage of the program. Should the candidate fail to meet the requirements, program policies outline possible consequences.
For a detailed listing of assessments at each transition point, click here.
How do I add an ECE emphasis to the ElEd program?
Take the necessary prerequisite MFHD courses. See the curriculum map at http://saas.byu.edu/catalog/current/depts/Teach_Ed/ElEd_Major.aspx#EarlyChildhood
Apply as part of the admissionsprocess.
SECONDARY EDUCATION FAQs
What education courses do I take for licensure?
The Professional Education Component includes the following courses:
A. Complete the following:
ScEd 276R (4 hours), 350, 352, 353, 377, 378, 379.
B. Complete the following:
IP&T 286.
C. Complete 12 hours from one of the following:
ScEd 476R or 496R.
What is Sc. Ed. 276R?
This is a course that serves as an introduction to teacher education and the education profession. It provides both university-based and clinical field experiences so that you are initially acquainted with the program and services of the public schools and the teaching profession.
What makes the course unique?
It requires both classroom activities in a collaborative environment with a committed emphasis on the field experience. You will be involved in a variety of activities. You will have classroom instruction to discuss and examine basic elements of teaching. Additionally, you will be placed in the public schools in a variety of different levels. You will also have opportunities to do micro-teaching.
What extent of field experiences comprises 276?
This varies with the section and the instructor. However, as much as 50% of the assigned time might be spent in the public schools. This will provide you with a varied and substantial experience in the school classrooms. Many of you will have opportunities to visit and teach in elementary, middle, high, and alternative schools.
Why is Sc. Ed. 276 scheduled in such large blocks of time?
Because the class spends so much time in the public schools, it is necessary to have time for you to travel back and forth to the schools while still having sufficient time in observing and teaching in the classroom.
Do we spend a lot of time dealing with our content and subject area?
No. Rather, we will integrate your knowledge of the subject as it relates to teaching and instruction. Lee Shulman, a former professor at Stanford University, referred to this as “pedagogical content knowledge.” It isn’t enough just to know your subject. You have to know how to plan, organize, and teach that content so that it is learnable by the students. This is a primary focus of Sc. Ed. 276.
Will we learn about some of the legislative and school policies that impact classrooms teachers?
Yes. On the federal level, No Child Left Behind has been enacted. This has influenced both the preparation of teachers and the operations within the schools. The state of Utah has also enacted standards and assessment levels. Schools now must submit “adequate yearly progress” reports that demand more accountability by students and teachers. Sc. Ed. 276 will be a good introduction to you on these issues.
What are some of the things that will be covered in our on-campus classroom instruction?
One of the valuable elements of Sc. Ed. 276 is the introduction of basic skills and strategies that teachers must master. For example, basic instructional strategies will be presented. Some of these will be demonstrated by you in the micro-teaching laboratories. You will be introduced to planning and assessment strategies.
Why do I occasionally have to write reflective pieces about my experiences?
We have found that teachers improve when they consider and self-evaluate their work. Dr. Robert Bullough, a member of our faculty, has published extensively about teachers studying and improving because they look at their own work. One of the sections of the Teacher Work Sample deals precisely with “reflection.” We hope that you will be evaluators of your work and endeavors. You will see your own improvement.
What is micro-teaching?
The micro-teaching laboratory in the McKay Building allows you to present a short lesson to fellow-classmates. This is usually recorded and then you have a chance to review your instructional practices. You will learn a lot about yourself as a teacher as you see your own teaching. It gives you an opportunity to plan, present, review, and reflect on your teaching.
What are the ScEd program transition points?
The assessment system focuses on data collection and analysis of major assessments at four critical transition points (gateways) established for the teacher preparation program.
1. Entry/Admissions
2. Pre-clinical
3. Clinical/Exit
4. Alumni
Transition points identify stages in the program in which candidates are expected to develop a level of competency in the standards identified in the conceptual framework. The performances of all candidates enrolled in a program are assessed using the major assessments identified with each transition point. Criteria have been established at each transition point to determine if the candidate is prepared to proceed to the next stage of the program. Should the candidate fail to meet the requirements, program policies outline possible consequences.
For a detailed listing of assessments at each transition point, click here.
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