THE
FACULTY
SENATE
Senate
Document Number 6907S
Date
of Senate Approval 05/03/07
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Statement
of Faculty Senate Action:
APC Document 59: Adding
6-9 teacher licensure as an option to the Psychology major;
Required editorial
changes resulting from the addition
Effective Date: Fall 2007
1. Delete: On pg
221, under Psychology with Teacher Licensure:
(e.g., B-K,
K-6, K-12)
Add:
On
pg 221, in place of deleted entry:
(e.g., B-K, K-6, 6-9, K-12)
Impact:
There will be minimal impact on the resources and
staffing of either the Education department or the Psychology department due to
this change.
Rationale:
Based on research with middle school students and
interactions with middle school personnel, we believe students completing a
Psychology major that is grounded in the liberal arts and includes extensive
knowledge of human growth and development is a perfect match for meeting the
needs of young adolescents. Currently, middle school licensure candidates take
coursework in two areas (math, science, social studies, and language arts).
They usually major in one of these areas, but the state competencies are
usually separate from the major (even though a math major will get the math
competencies). It is our belief that a Psychology major who understands human
growth and development and the emphasis on the learner, and who also completes
coursework that meets the State competencies will be very valuable in a middle
school setting. For the past year we have piloted allowing post-baccalaureate
students to come in with degrees other than math, science, language arts or
social studies, and they are passing the State middle school exam in their two
areas of concentration. Our UNCA graduates who have majored in one of the areas
are also passing the exam in the second area of content. Based on anecdotal
evidence (from EDUC 310), we believe that candidates who are Psychology majors
may be interested in the option of teaching middle school. Currently most Psychology
majors get licensed in our K-6 program. By allowing candidates to major in
Psychology, we would also be providing options for prospective middle school
teachers. Currently there is a shortage of middle school teachers in the State
of
2. Delete: On pg.
110, under Recommendation for
(5) attain passing scores on PRAXIS II: Specialty
Area Tests if seeking K-6 licensure or B-K licensure with the intent to teach
in an elementary school;
Add: On pg. 110, in place of deleted entry:
(5) attain passing scores on PRAXIS II: Specialty
Area Tests if seeking K-6 licensure or B-K licensure with the intent to teach
in an elementary school. 6-9 licensure students must also complete these tests
if they do not have 24 hours in the content areas;
Impact:
Students will have to take these exams in order to be
highly qualified. Each exam costs approximately $75.00
Rationale:
While students can get “licensed” by completing our
program, they are not considered highly qualified unless they have 24 hours of
content in the math, science, social studies, or language arts coursework OR
they pass Praxis II in the content areas for middle grades.
3. Delete: On pg 111, the entry under
Areas of Major:
All 6-9 and 9-12 students must complete a
specific disciplinary major, which is the core for their licensure area. Those
desiring to teach at the K–6 level may major in any department.
B-K students must major in Psychology. A second
area of concentration is required for middle school (6-9) candidates.
Add: On pg 111, in place of deleted entry:
All 9-12 licensure students must complete a specific
disciplinary major, which is the core for their licensure area. Middle school
licensure candidates (6-9) may major in psychology or a specific disciplinary
major appropriate to language arts, mathematics, science or social
studies. They must complete two content
areas of concentration from language arts, mathematics, science or social
studies. Those desiring to teach at the K-6 level may major in any department.
B-K students must major in psychology.
Impact:
Current psychology majors who have only had the
options of B-K, K-6 or K-12 Reading, will now have the option of getting
licensed to teach middle school age children.
Rationale:
There are so few middle grade licensure candidates
now (10 completers in the past five years) that this option could increase the
numbers from the “pool” of education licensure candidates who are already
enrolled in the licensure program.
4. Add: On pg. 112, under Middle School Licensure (6-9), in item
I, after "Mathematics students must take EDUC 383":
Psychology students must complete courses in two of
the content areas described in item II, below.
Impact:
If we increase the number of middle grade licensure
candidates, the enrollment in methods courses could increase. Currently,
enrollment in methods courses for middle and secondary licensure candidates is
small except for EDUC 380 (for language arts and social studies). This semester
there are 12 students in the class.
Rationale:
Middle grades licensure candidates must complete
courses in two of the content areas.
Editorial addition so students are aware of the requirement.