Other Teacher Education Program Information

Program Completion and Eligibility for State Teacher’s Certification

A passing score on the appropriate PRAXIS II examination is a requirement for program completion. Candidates will not be recommended by WCSU for state teacher’s certification until passing scores are received and filed with the University’s Teacher Education Certification Officer, who is located in the Education and Educational Psychology Department. Once a student has completed all his/her Bachelor’s Degree teacher certification requirements, the University’s Teacher Certification Officer will file with the CT State Department of Education (CDE) the necessary documents for the student’s receipt of CDE Teacher Certification.

Dismissal From, Admission To, Or Retention In, Professional Teacher Education Program

Strict guidelines for admission to, and retention in, the teacher education certification programs are part of academic excellence. Candidates who fail to meet or maintain established admission and retention criteria will be dismissed from the program. If a Professional Program faculty interviewing team recommends that a student not be admitted to a professional Teacher Education Program, said student may reapply for admission to that program one semester after the notification of denial. Candidates have the right to review a copy of the completed interview form.

Denial From the Student Teaching/Clinical Experience

Superintendents, school district facilitators, cooperating teachers, principals, University supervisors and the Education and the Educational Psychology Department in consultation with the appropriate Arts & Sciences, health or music teacher education faculty reserve the right to dismiss the student from any student teaching/clinical experience. When problems arise during a student teaching/ clinical experience, the University supervisor must notify the student teaching coordinator. The coordinator then forwards any information to the Chair of the Education and Educational Psychology Department who in turn informs the student of any decision. A recommendation for dismissal can be based on, but not limited to:

1. 1. An absence of five or more consecutive teaching days in a fourteen week (requires 70 full days) assignment or three or more consecutive days in a seven week (requires 35 full days) assignment, without presenting a verified explanation.
   2. A failure to demonstrate the state mandated teaching competencies during student teaching or any clinical experience.
   3. Drug or alcohol abuse.
   4. Allegation or conviction for sexual, physical or emotional intimidation, harassment or abuse of PK-12 students.
   5. Felony indictment.

The affected student has the right to request, in writing, within seven days of a notification of dismissal, a hearing with the University’s teacher supervisor, the student teaching coordinator and the Chair of the Education and Educational Psychology Department. The reason (s) for dismissal shall be identified. The affected student has the right within two weeks of the hearing date to appeal, in writing, his/her dismissal to the Dean of Professional Studies.