Progression

Teacher candidates will complete three field experiences and must successfully complete each field experience, earn a minimum grade of "B-" and maintain a minimum cumulative average of 3.0 to progress through the program. Teacher candidates must continue to demonstrate an acceptable level of written and oral English skills to advance to the next semester. Referrals to the Writing Lab will be made on an individual basis.

Teacher candidates (Baccalaureate Program - 4-year) must earn a minimum grade of "B-" in all education courses and maintain a minimum cumulative average of 3.00 in their education courses.

Grading Policy

Teacher candidates must attain a grade of B- or better in all courses. Any candidate who receives a grade lower than B- in any course must repeat the course the next time it is offered. The candidate may not take any other undergraduate education courses until a grade of B- or better is achieved. A course may be repeated only once. Failure to maintain a grade of B- when taking a course for the second time necessitates withdrawal from the program. Failure of more than one course necessitates withdrawal from the program. Candidates who have been withdrawn from the program due to academic failure may not be readmitted to the program.

A positive evaluation (Baccalaureate Program - 4-year) must be received from the field observation (EDU 3300) experience cooperating teacher (pre- or co-requisite of first education course) in order to receive a grade and progress to the next semester. It is the teacher candidate’s responsibility to ensure that the written evaluation from the field placement experience is collected in a timely manner and submitted to the field office.

A positive evaluation from both the college supervisor and the field placement teacher must be received in order to be recommended for progression to the next semester.

Positive evaluations must be received from both the college supervisor and the field placement teachers in order to be recommended for New York State initial teaching certification. Workshops in the training for Identification of Child Abuse and Neglect, Violence Prevention and Intervention and Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Prevention and Intervention must be completed for state certification. All teacher candidates must be fingerprinted, as required by New York State Education Department prior to starting the first field experience.

Teacher candidates are required to attend a minimum of six professional workshops prior to graduation in order to be recommended for certification. A written critique of workshops must be submitted as evidence of attendance.

Candidates who begin the first semester of the Dual Degree Program (5-year) and do not meet progression criteria may opt to transfer into the Baccalaureate Program (4-year) if they meet the program criteria. If these program criteria are not met, the candidates will be required to return to the liberal arts and sciences content major field of study in order to complete the Baccalaureate Degree.

Teacher candidates who have not fulfilled the prerequisite and progression requirements of the program will not be admitted to subsequent classes.

Benchmark Performances

All teacher candidates are to submit benchmark performance assignments on their "Chalk and Wire" electronic portfolio account in all education courses. Upon registering for their first education course, all undergraduate students will register for EDU 3000, e-portfolio, where a fee for a five-year subscription to "Chalk and Wire" is applied. All benchmark assignments must be submitted by the due dates required by the instructor. If benchmark assignments are not submitted on time, teacher candidates will receive a failing grade for that assignment and will not be able to progress to the next phase of coursework.

In order to receive a passing grade in a course, a candidate must achieve a minimum score of "2" for each benchmark in that course. No more than two opportunities to achieve the required score of "2" will be permitted. It is expected that benchmarks that are not satisfactorily met will be repeated immediately.

Teacher candidates are responsible for meeting all program requirements.

Dispositions for Teaching

According to the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), "Dispositions for Teaching" are defined as "The habits of professional action and moral commitments that underlie an educator's performance." Dispositions for teaching are assessed at the initial interview for the Undergraduate Education Programs. Candidates are periodically assessed throughout the programs.

Candidates who evidence a lack of proper dispositions for teaching may be counseled out of the teacher education program and advised to investigate other careers. If necessary, candidates will be required to meet with the Division Dean, Program Director and ultimately with the Dispositions Committee. Candidates may not invite additional persons to this meeting. The decision of the Dispositions Committee is final. Candidates who consistently demonstrate a lack of dispositions needed for teaching will be required to withdraw from the teacher education program.

Graduation

Teacher candidates who successfully complete the requirements of the college, their specific education program and pass the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations will be eligible for certification to teach in New York State.

Note: The Molloy College School of Education and Human Services reserves the right to make necessary changes in programs and courses in response to regulations received from the New York State Education Department regarding teacher certification policies. These changes become effective according to dates specified by the New York State Education Department.