Teacher Education Program (TEP)

Bridgewater College (BC) provides a state-approved program for the preparation of elementary and secondary teachers. Currently the BC Teacher Education Program (TEP) is in candidate status with the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), expecting a site-visit in Fall 2020. Candidates who successfully complete the program and pass the PRAXIS Core Academic Skills for Educators: Math, Virginia Communications and Literacy Assessment (VCLA), Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE; P-6 only) and Praxis Content Area Knowledge Exam within their individual content endorsement area(s) are eligible for licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Additionally, licensure eligibility may be reciprocal with other states as determined by agreements between states.

Areas of Licensure 

Elementary (P–6): Pre-kindergarten through Grade 6

Secondary (6–12): Biology, Career Technical-Family and Consumer Science, Chemistry, English, Social Studies (History and Social Sciences), and Mathematics

Designated Disciplines (P–12): Health and Physical Education, Music (Instrumental or Vocal), Spanish, Theatre Arts, and Visual Arts 

Candidates may seek an add-on endorsement in English as a Second Language (P-12), and/or Algebra I. Once candidates pass the content area exam in the initial licensure area, add-on endorsements may be earned for a variety of subjects through testing.

Gateways of Progression 

The Teacher Education Program (TEP) requires a secondary-selective admissions process for student entrance to the status of candidate for teacher licensure. You will later need to apply separately to student teaching and upon successful conclusion of student teaching, separately to the Virginia Department of Education for licensure. The TEP Gateways are identified below:

1. Pre-Admission (Gateway 1)
2. Admission to the Program (Gateway 2)
3. Admission to Student Teaching (Gateway 3)
4. Program Completion (Gateway 4)

Gateway 1: Pre-Admission

The first gateway occurs once the student has declared a major in liberal studies (P-6 licensure), notifies the registrar’s office of intent to earn a teaching license at the secondary level (6-12 licensure) in English, Family & Consumer Sciences, History & Social Sciences, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, and contacts the TEP secondary education coordinator. Candidates who plan to earn P-12 licensure in Health & Physical Education, Music, Spanish, Theatre Arts, and Visual Arts notify the registrar of this plan, notify their advisor in the designated discipline, and contact the secondary education coordinator. Please note that applying to TEP is the first step to becoming a teacher. TEP P-admission candidates may enroll in up to four education courses while completing all requirements for admission (Gateway 2).

POSSIBLE EDUCATION COURSES: EDUC 140: Introduction to Teaching; EDUC 200: Educational Psychology; EDUC 215: Diversity in the Classroom; and EDUC 316 Strategies for Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary Classroom (elementary candidates only).

REQUIRED PROGRAM CONTENT: Before completing the selective-secondary admissions the P-candidate must pass the PRAXIS Core Academic Skills for Educators: Math (unless exempt through SAT/ACT scores) and the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA).

Gateway 2: Admission to the Program

The following requirements must be met prior to admission to the TEP and maintained throughout the program:

1. Achieve an overall grade point average of 2.5 or better;
2. Pass the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA; cut score 470);
3. Pass the PRAXIS Core Academic Skills for Educators: Math (150) or be exempt based on SAT Math score of 560 or above or ACT Math score of 21 or above;
4. Complete an application for admission to the Teacher Education Program;
5. Receive positive recommendations from a TEP faculty member, the academic advisor, the Dean of Candidates and at least one outside reference;
6. Verify previous work or volunteer experience with youth (through the outside reference);
7. Be interviewed and recommended for admission by interview panel; and
8. Be approved by the Director of the Teacher Education Program.

NOTE: Candidates who already hold a bachelor’s degree and are seeking to fulfill requirements for certification and licensure must adhere to the same requirements as degree seeking candidates.

PROBABLE EDUCATION COURSES: (For P-6-Liberal Studies Candidates) EDUC 330: Early Literacy, EDUC 332 Intermediate Literacy, EDUC 371E: Classroom Management, Elementary; (For 6-12 Candidates) EDUC 334: Literacy in the Content Area and EDUC 372: Classroom Management, Secondary; (For P-12 Designated Disciplines Candidates) EDUC 334: Literacy in the Content Area, and EDUC 372: Classroom Management, Secondary

REQUIRED PROGRAM CONTENT: Complete application for student teaching; complete background check

Gateway 3: Admission to Student Teaching

As mentioned, admission to the TEP does not imply admission to student teaching. Student teaching applications are available online and must be submitted by December 1 for Fall candidates and March 1 for Spring candidates of the academic year prior to student teaching. Further, candidates must:

1. Have maintained the requirements set forth for admission to the Program;
2. Have continued to advance in knowledge, skills, and dispositions in General Education, the content area major, and TEP courses and experiences;
3. Have completed all professional education courses with a grade of “C” or higher;
4. Complete the Student Teaching Application, which includes a plan to have taken the PRAXIS Content Area Knowledge Assessment and Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE, elementary only) prior the start of student teaching;
5. Obtain approval from the department of the candidate’s content major;
6. Have demonstrated dispositions of personal and professional behaviors that support student learning and/or the performance of other professional responsibilities as measured by field experience evaluations by classroom clinical faculty and BC TEP supervisors.

PROBABLE EDUCATION COURSES: 

P-6-Liberal Studies Candidates: EDUC 380X: Practicum in Current Teaching Techniques; EDUC 406: Curriculum & Instruction in Elementary Classroom; EDUC 451: Seminar in Educational Practices, Elementary; EDUC 470: Professional Student Teaching or EDUC 465: Professional Student Teaching for Dual ESL Endorsement

6-12 Candidates: EDUC 380X: Practicum in Current Teaching Techniques; EDUC 412: Curriculum & Instruction in Secondary Classroom; EDUC 452: Seminar in Educational Practices, Secondary; EDUC 470: Professional Student Teaching

For P-12 Designated Disciplines Candidates: EDUC 380X: Practicum in Current Teaching Techniques; EDUC 452: Seminar in Educational Practices, Secondary; EDUC 470: Professional Student Teaching

REQUIRED PROGRAM CONTENT: Complete required modules; Achieve certification in CPR/AED/First Aid from American Heart Association or the American Red Cross; P-6 candidates must also complete the Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE) Test (after completion of EDUC 332)

Gateway 4: Program Completion

If you have fulfilled all College and TEP requirements, Bridgewater College will recommend you for licensure to the Commonwealth of Virginia; however, the actual awarding of licensure is granted by the Virginia Department of Education (http://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching/licensure).  In order to be considered a program completer and receive Bridgewater College’s recommendation for licensure, a candidate must: 

1. Complete all professional education EDUC courses with a grade of “C” or higher;
2. Complete all field experiences and the EDUC 380X Practicum with a grade of “C” or higher and complete student teaching with a grade of “S”;
3. Successfully pass all assessments, including the PRAXIS Core Academic Skills for Educators: Math OR exemption; VCLA; RVE (P-6 licensure only); and PRAXIS Content Area Knowledge Assessment;
4. Complete the Child Abuse modules as required by VDOE;
5. Complete the Dyslexia modules as required by VDOE;
6. Complete CPR, First Aid, and AED training (provided by the BC Health and Human Sciences department or earned through other VDOE approved provider e.g., American Heart Association
7. Complete all requirements for the B.S. or B.A. degree;
8. Maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher;
9. Complete all required paperwork and provide a check or money order made out to the Treasurer of Virginia for the cost of processing.

Admission Information

Students interested in applying to the Teacher Education Program should declare their major with the Registrar’s Office and ensure that they know you are interested in applying to the program.  Some courses require admissions to the Teacher Education Program before they can be taken.  Those courses are EDUC: 307, 330, 332, 334, 371E, 380X, 406, 412, 451, 452, 460, 465 and 470.

Applying to the Teacher Education Program requires three steps.

STEP 1: Entry Assessment and GPA: Complete standardized math, reading and writing assessments (Click for registration information).

• VCLA Reading & Writing (composite score of 470), AND
• Praxis Core Math (score of 150) or one of the following substitute tests:
  • ACT Math score of 22 + ACT Composite score of 24
  • SAT Math score of 560 (if taken on or after 3/1/16) or SAT Math score of 530 (if taken between 4/1/95 – 2/29/16)
• GPA: Candidates must have and maintain a GPA of at least 2.5

STEP 2: Apply: Complete the electronic Teacher Education Program Application which includes:

• Contact Information
• Entry Assessment Scores
• Two Professional References

Candidate must have no record of any felony or misdemeanor conviction involving children or drugs, or founded complaint of child abuse or neglect

STEP 3: Interview: TEP Faculty and local stakeholders (alumni/local teachers) will interview candidates at the interview night. Candidates are only eligible for interview once they have successfully completed STEPS 1 and 2. Applications will be processed according to the following schedule:

*If a candidate is NOT fully accepted by the anticipated acceptance deadline, the Director will determine if they can be rolled into the next anticipated acceptance cohort.

Questions should be sent to education@bridgewater.edu

Test Preparation and Support

The Virginia Department of Education requires multiple assessments for teacher licensure. Candidates will take practice tests for the Virginia Commonwealth Literacy Assessment and PRAXIS Core Academic Skills for Educators: Math assessments in EDUC 140: Introduction to Education. If a candidate earns passing scores on the practice tests, then it is advised that the candidate register and take these assessments immediately. Just prior to student teaching, candidates will take a Praxis Exam in their content area. Major coursework prepares you for this content area exam, so we recommend taking the Praxis Content Areas exam just before student teaching. Preparation materials for each content area exam can be found at ets.org and Quizlet can also be a good resource. Elementary education teacher candidates will also take the Reading for Virginia Educators; this assessment is to be taken immediately after the EDUC 332: Intermediate Literacy course. See Dr. Jenny Martin (jmmartin@bridgewater.edu) for support with registration and test preparation; testing support is offered weekly on Mondays and Tuesdays from 2:00-4:00 in Flory Room 315. 

Program Disciplinary Information

The Director of the Teacher Education Program (TEP) has the primary responsibility of investigating allegations and enforcing formal disciplinary sanctions for the TEP. Informally, faculty, staff or outside field supervisors can deliver a warning (written and/or verbal). The College’s grievance policy outlines the decision appeals process.

Warning (Verbal and/or Written)

Every faculty, staff, College supervisor, and cooperating teacher can institute a warning for violations of policies that are not considered egregious. A warning can precede further sanctions including dismissal from the program. A verbal and/or written warning, however, is not required before further sanctions can be imposed. Not every situation will warrant a warning first before more significant disciplinary sanctions can occur. Likewise, not every faculty, staff, college supervisor or cooperating teacher consistently applies warnings for given circumstances. Understand that any violation of policy can immediately result in disciplinary sanctions, including dismissal from the program.

Procedures for Warning

• 1. In the event of one or more disciplinary issues, faculty (one or more) will meet with the candidate to review the situation.
  2. The faculty may consult with other relevant faculty, school administrator, or classroom teacher to gather further information.
  3. A verbal warning may be extended to the candidate without further pending action. If the faculty feel as if a written warning is warranted, the document is to be signed by the candidate and provided to the Director of Teacher Education for placement in the candidate’s records.
  4. This process is an informal disciplinary category and follow-up occurs only with continued infraction.

Improvement Plan

Improvement Plan indicates that the candidate has failed to meet the academic or behavior standards necessary for the teaching profession but has not reached the level of more formalized probation or program dismissal. This status indicates that the student is nearing the point of program probation and/or dismissal and is using this step to attempt to remedy the deficient issue(s). Candidates with an Improvement Plan must have the status removed prior to their admission to student teaching.  If an Improvement Plan is required during student teaching, the problem must be resolved before the student teaching placement is concluded or the ability to graduate will be impacted.  The individual program faculty can design an Improvement Plan but a copy must be filed with the Director of the Teacher Education Program.

Procedures for Improvement Plan

• 1. In the event of one or more disciplinary issues, faculty (one or more) will meet with the candidate to review the situation.
  2. The faculty may consult with other relevant faculty, school administrator, or classroom teacher to gather further information.
  3. The faculty member will then create an Improvement Plan with the candidate and submit the plan to the Director of TEP.
  4. A copy of the Improvement Plan will be placed in the candidate’s TEP file.
  5. The Director of TEP and/or designee will conduct tracking, including resolution, removal, and/or elevation of the Improvement Plan to a more formalized level of discipline.

Probation

Status of probation will require a written plan for remediation.  In some instances, the remediation will include outlined steps of improvement. In other circumstances, time and consistent positive action may be the only solution for full program reinstatement.  While candidates on probation are still Teacher Education candidates, any other sanction delivered while the candidate is on probation will result in immediate dismissal from the Teacher Education Program (TEP).  Candidates on probation must have the status removed prior to their admission to student teaching.  If probation is required during student teaching, the problem must be resolved before the student teaching placement is concluded or the ability to graduate will be impacted. The director of TEP will investigate allegations and enforce probation status.

Procedures for Probation

• 1. Egregious and/or repeated violations of program policy, behaviors and/or infractions ofany requirements for admissions will result in referral to the Director of TeacherEducation Program (TEP) for investigation.
  2. The Director of TEP may consult with other relevant faculty, program coordinator,school administrator, or classroom teacher to gather further information.
  3. The Director of TEP will interview the candidate to gather further information.
  4. The Director of TEP, in consultation with the relevant program coordinator willdetermine that the candidate's actions and/or behaviors warrant probation status.
  5. The Director of TEP and relevant program coordinator will meet with the candidate andprovide documentation outlining the criteria for probation and resolution.
  6. The candidate, Director of TEP, and program coordinator will all sign the probationletter, giving the candidate a copy and placing an electronic copy in the candidate's file.
  7. The Director of TEP and/or designee will conduct tracking, including resolution, removal,and/or elevation of probation to program dismissal.

Dismissal

The TEP may dismiss a candidate from the program for failure to meet, satisfy, or demonstrate satisfactory performance in one or more of the following areas:

• The candidate fails to maintain the requirements set forth for admission to the TEP;
• The candidate lacks the ability to communicate and work effectively with peers, school personnel, and/or P-12 candidates;
• The candidate's behavior jeopardizes the education, safety, or well-being of the candidates as determined by school personnel, BC TEP education administrators, or other BC faculty;
• The candidate fails to meet the requirements of other disciplinary sanctions
• The candidate fails to meet the legal requirements and professional expectations as set forth by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Teacher Licensure Regulations.

Candidates dismissed from the program may apply for re-acceptance into the program, provided that all program requirements have been met. Final acceptance into the program will be based upon completion of all admission criteria. The status of dismissal from the TEP is different than dismissal from the College. While dismissal from the College dictates dismissal from the TEP, dismissal from the TEP does not necessarily imply dismissal from the College. The director of TEP will investigate allegations and enforce program dismissal.

Procedures for Probation

• 1. Egregious and/or repeated violations of program policy, behaviors, violation of theterms of probation, and/or infractions of any requirements for admissions will result inreferral to the Director of Teacher Education Program (TEP) for investigation.
  2. The Director of TEP may consult with other relevant faculty, TEP coordinator, schooladministrator, or classroom teacher to gather further information.
  3. The Director of TEP will interview the candidate to gather further information.
  4. The Director of TEP, in consultation with the relevant program coordinator willdetermine that the candidate's actions and/or behaviors warrant dismissal from the TEPprogram.
  5. The Director of TEP and relevant program coordinator will meet with the candidate andprovide documentation outlining the reason for program dismissal.
  6. The candidate, Director of TEP, and program coordinator will all sign the dismissal letter,giving the candidate a copy and placing an electronic copy in the candidate's file.

Appeal

A candidate who is on probation or dismissed from the Bridgewater College Teacher Education Program may appeal the decision following the College's Grievance Process.

Licensure and Certification

Federal regulations from the United States Department of Education require Bridgewater College to disclose whether its educational programs meet the conditions for state credentialing (e.g., certification or licensure). Bridgewater College is approved by the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to offer 16 initial licensure programs at the undergraduate level.

Elementary Education (P-6): Pre-kindergarten through Grade 6 (major in Liberal Studies)

Secondary Education (6-12): Biology, Career Technical-Family and Consumer Science, Chemistry, English, Social Studies (History and Social Studies), and Mathematics

Designated Discipline Education (P-12): Health and Physical Education, Music (Instrumental or Vocal), Spanish, Theatre Arts, and Visual Arts

Students who successfully complete the program and pass the PRAXIS Core Academic Skills for Educators: Math, Virginia Communications and Literacy Assessment (VCLA), Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE; P-6 only) and Praxis Content Area Knowledge Exam within their individual content endorsement area(s) are eligible for licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Additionally, licensure eligibility may be reciprocal with other states as determined by agreements between states. Normally, credentialing as a teacher requires other (non-course related) information to be completed such as first aid/CPR, modules on dyslexia/child abuse, character assessment/references, criminal background assessment and other qualifications that may be unique or similar between varied U.S. jurisdictions.