Undergraduate Catalog

Teacher Education

Office of Teacher Education
Licensure Officer: Ms. Tammy Wilson
Field and Clinical Coordinator: Ms. Lisa Litchfield
Office: Horrabin Hall 40
Telephone: (309) 298-2117
Website: wiu.edu/teacher

The Office of Teacher Education provides services to undergraduate and graduate students seeking teaching, school administration, and school service personnel licensures and endorsements. The office staff is responsible for advising services, field and clinical supervision, and licensure issues for prospective teachers, school support personnel, and school administrators.

To be recommended for teacher licensure, an individual must complete a State-approved Teacher Education Program, be of good character, in good health, and legally present in the United States and authorized for employment. Individuals seeking licensure must complete all University requirements as well as Teacher Education requirements. Early and continuous consultation and careful advising and planning are essential for individuals seeking initial teacher licensure.

Admission to the University does not automatically constitute acceptance to the Teacher Education Program. Candidates for baccalaureate degrees who plan to complete licensure requirements for teaching must make special application for admission to the Teacher Education Program. Application and requirements for full acceptance are available in the online Teacher Education Program Handbook at wiu.edu/teacher.

Western Illinois University must meet the mandates issued by the Illinois State Board of Education and the State Licensure Board. State Licensure Board requirements take precedence over the catalog of record for individuals seeking teacher licensure recommendation.

Accreditation

Western Illinois University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and all of its Teacher Education Programs are approved by the Illinois State Board of Education.

Approved Teacher Licensure Programs

The Illinois State Licensure Board mandates that each institution list in its catalog those programs which are classified as approved programs. The following programs at Western Illinois University have been approved by the Illinois State Licensure Board:

  1. Secondary (9–12)
    Agriculture Education (5–12)
    English
    Mathematics
    Science/Biology
    Science/Chemistry
    Science/Physics
    Social Science/History
  2. Middle Grades (5–8)
    Language Arts
    Mathematics
    Science
    Social Science
  3. Elementary Education (1–6)
    Bilingual/English as a Second Language endorsement (PK–12)
  4. Early Childhood Education (Age 0 through Grade Two)
  5. Special (PK–12)
    Art
    French
    Music
    Physical Education
    Reading Specialist (graduate program)
    Spanish
    Special Education—Learning Behavior Specialist I (K–age 22)
    Technology Specialist (graduate program)
  6. Alternative Teacher Licensure Program
    Master of Arts in Teaching
  7. Administrative (graduate programs)
    School Principal
    Superintendent
  8. School Service Personnel (graduate programs)
    School Counseling
    School Psychology
    Speech and Language Pathology
    Teacher Education Program

The University Committee for Educator Preparation (UCEP) has oversight of all Teacher Education Programs approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) at both the Macomb and Quad Cities campuses. UCEP determines all procedures, requirements, and student discipline protocol for the Teacher Education Program as a whole. It also approves unique requirements for discipline-specific programs.

Individuals who intend to earn a teaching license must be formally admitted to the Teacher Education Program as outlined in the Teacher Education Program Handbook. Once admitted, the student becomes a teacher education candidate and must conform to all requirements and regulations of the Teacher Education Program. Candidates who fail to meet all programmatic expectations may be dismissed from the Teacher Education Program.

Individuals seeking teacher licensure must complete an approved Teacher Education Program. An approved program consists of the following components: General Education, major program, professional education including core courses, Special Education requirement, reading in the content area requirement, pre-student teaching clinical experiences, student teaching, technology competency, curriculum modules addressing English Language Learners (ELL), and supporting coursework. In addition, candidates will undergo periodic disposition assessments, criminal background investigations, and national registry checks. The prospective teacher must be able to perform the essential functions of teaching, with or without a reasonable accommodation, as approved by the Western Illinois University Disability Resource office in collaboration with the Assistant Dean for Teacher Education in the College of Education and Human Services.

Candidates are required to exhibit the following professional dispositions at all times during their enrollment at Western: collaboration, commitment to learning, valuing diversity and equity, responsibility, and respect. Failure to adhere to these professional dispositions is grounds for dismissal from the program.

Teacher Education candidates must comply with fingerprint background investigation requirements as set forth by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois school code. Prior to any field work in schools/agencies, candidates are to supply verification of having a completed fingerprint background investigation to each school/agency assigned. In addition, the National Sex Offender Registry, the National Registry of Violent Acts Against Children, and the Illinois Methamphetamine Manufacturer Registry are checked for each candidate. Candidates may be prohibited from completing field work if the background checks or registry checks disclose arrests and/or convictions deemed problematic.

Formal Admission and Retention in the Teacher Education Program

Candidates are to consult with their academic advisor to determine the appropriate time for formal admission to the Teacher Education Program. Candidates must satisfy all requirements of the approved Illinois State Board of Education program. Candidates are responsible for expenses related to program and/or licensure requirements. Full acceptance into the Teacher Education Program is required prior to enrolling in EDS 303 or any field experience that requires teaching (see departmental program requirements), EDS 401, and applying for student teaching. All applicants will be screened according to the following criteria:

  1. Completed 30 s.h. of college-level coursework and an established WIU GPA, including the following courses:
    • ENG 180 with a grade of C or better. A transferred course equivalent must have a C grade or better.
    • General Education Mathematics course with a grade of C- or above (MATH 101, 102, 123, 133, 134, 137, 138; STAT 171). Note: Math Competency does not satisfy this Teacher Education requirement.
  2. Earned, in accordance with the Illinois State Board of Education licensure rule, a “C-” or better in all directed general education courses, all core courses, and all courses in the option. This rule does not supersede course prerequisite requirements in the catalog that specify a letter grade.
  3. Earned WIU cumulative and WIU major grade point averages (GPAs) of 2.0 or above for Early Childhood; 2.75 or above for History; and 2.50 or above for all other programs.
  4. Submitted an acceptable Reflective Paper.
  5. Successfully completed the online ELL Modules.
  6. Successfully completed the online Safety Training.
  7. Cleared all applicable background registries.
  8. Received and submitted a positive recommendation from the major department.

The above requirements apply to all persons (graduate and undergraduate) who wish to participate in the Teacher Education Program. More detailed information about selection and retention of candidates may be requested from the Office of Teacher Education. This includes information for candidates who may be transferring from other institutions or who may wish to change programs within this University at times other than those noted in the preceding paragraphs.

Appeals Procedures

The Selection, Retention, and Appeals Committee considers various appeals for candidates enrolled in the Teacher Education Program. Should an appeal be necessary, candidates should contact their advisor. The appeal form is available in Horrabin Hall 40 or on the website at wiu.edu/teacher.

Retention

Candidates must continue to maintain good standing in the Teacher Education Program once admitted. Candidates must continue to exhibit the required professional dispositions at all times during their enrollment at Western. These include: collaboration, commitment to learning, valuing diversity and equity, responsibility, and respect. Failure to adhere to these professional dispositions is grounds for dismissal from the program.

Professional Education

All persons seeking initial teaching licensure in the Teacher Education Program must complete the professional education sequence offered by the School of Education. The sequence includes EDS 202, 301 or 306, 305, and 401*. (Exception: Early Childhood Education majors consult department advisors.) Full acceptance to the Teacher Education Program is required to enroll in EDS 303 or any field experience requiring teaching. The Teacher Education program has specific grade point average requirements (depending on the major) to enroll in EDS 303 or any field experience that requires teaching (see departmental program requirements). A grade of C- or better is required for all professional education courses. In addition, a minimum of 12 s.h. of student teaching is required (see departmental program requirements).

A grade of C- or better is required for all professional education courses, whether completed at WIU or transferred from another institution. All courses in the professional education sequence completed at other institutions must be evaluated by the School of Education for equivalency.

Special Education

All persons seeking an Illinois professional educator license (early childhood, elementary, middle grades, secondary, or special) must satisfy a State mandate which requires coursework in the identification, psychology, and methods of teaching the exceptional child, including without limitation, the learning disabled child. Courses at Western Illinois University which satisfy this requirement are (grade of C- or better required):

  • SPED 390—Characteristics and Methods for Teaching Students with Special Needs
  • PETE 393—Adapted Physical Education and PETE 395—Assessment in Adapted Physical Education
  • MUS 334—Music for the Learner with Exceptionalities

Candidates should check with their advisors to determine the course required for their major.

Reading in the Content Area

All persons seeking an Illinois professional education license (early childhood, elementary, middle grades, secondary, or special) must satisfy a state mandate which requires coursework in reading in the content area. Courses at Western Illinois University which satisfy this requirement are (grade of C- or better required):

  • ENG 366—Reading Instruction in Middle and High Schools
  • RDG 382—Literacy Development: Birth through Preschool
  • RDG 383—Literacy Instruction in the Early Grades
  • RDG 384—Literacy Instruction in the Intermediate Grades
  • RDG 387—Literacy Instruction in Content Areas

Candidates should check with their advisors to determine the course(s) required for their major.

Pre-Student Teaching Field Experiences

The Teacher Education Program requires that all persons seeking teacher licensure must complete the college-supervised, pre-student teaching field experiences in the major. A grade of C- or above or Satisfactory is required for all field experiences completed. A successful fingerprint background investigation and clearance of applicable registries are required prior to participating in any pre-student teaching field experience. Field experiences will typically be provided in the following courses:

  1. EDS 202
  2. EDS 303/304
  3. Major Methods Course(s)
  4. Major Department Pre-Student Teaching Field Experiences

Also available are experiences which may be provided in other courses in the major.

Candidates should consult their major department advisor to determine how this requirement will be met for that major’s program.

Candidates who transfer courses with a required field experience will need to provide verification of clinical experiences completed or supplement the transferred course with comparable clinical experiences at Western.

Application for Student Teaching

It is the responsibility of the candidate to apply for a student teaching assignment one year prior to the semester in which it is anticipated that the student teaching assignment will be completed. This application is reviewed and approved by the candidate’s academic advisor and the Coordinator of Field and Clinical Experiences. A clinical/student teaching application meeting will be held in September for those requesting student teaching assignments the following Fall semester. Similarly, a meeting will be held in February for those persons eligible to student teach in the Spring of the following year. Specific dates will be announced and posted. No summer session student teaching program is available.

Student Teaching Admission Requirements

Student teaching credit is required for graduation in the Teacher Education Program and is open to qualified candidates who are enrolled in the Teacher Education Program. Candidates must fulfill the requirements for admission to and retention in the Teacher Education Program and are responsible for meeting the student teaching admission requirements listed below:

  1. Maintain the required major and cumulative GPAs for the program: 2.0 required for Early Childhood; 2.75 required for History; 2.50 required for Agriculture, Art, Elementary, English, English as a Second Language, French, Mathematics, Middle Level, Multilingual, Music, Physical Education, Science/Biology-Chemistry-Physics, Spanish, and Special Education.
  2. Complete EDS 202, 301 or 306, 305, and 401 with a grade of C- or better. (Exception: Early Childhood Education majors consult department advisors).
  3. Complete all required coursework with a grade of C- or better, unless specified otherwise.
  4. Complete all pre-student teaching field experiences as described above or on page ___ with a grade of C- or better or a grade of Satisfactory.
  5. Meet all departmental prerequisites for student teaching.
  6. Receive and submit a positive recommendation from the major department.
  7. Complete the DCFS mandated reporter training.
  8. Successfully complete the required Illinois state-mandated licensure tests, including the applicable content tests.
  9. Successfully complete a criminal fingerprint background investigation and clear all applicable registries.
  10. Complete a state-mandated physical.

The candidate must continue to exhibit the dispositions and professional behaviors needed to perform the essential functions of teaching, with or without reasonable approved accommodations. Failure to adhere to these professional dispositions is grounds for dismissal from the program.

Student Teaching Requirements

Each candidate must complete a minimum 12 s.h. (16 weeks) student teaching experience to meet graduation requirements. Some programs necessitate split assignments in two fields or at two grade levels for a total of 16 weeks. A maximum of 12 s.h. of STCH may be included in the minimum total of 120 s.h. required for graduation.

The student teaching experience semester provides direct teaching experience in a public school under the supervision, and with the guidance of, a highly qualified classroom mentor teacher and a University supervisor.

Requirements for Illinois licensure include passing the edTPA, which must be completed during the student teaching experience.

Student teachers may not participate in campus-based extra-curricular activities such as athletics or the Student Government Association and are discouraged from working while student teaching. Candidates wishing to enroll in additional coursework while student teaching must appeal to the Selection, Retention, and Appeals Committee prior to the student teaching term.

Student Teaching Sites

The Office of Teacher Education offers the following regional sites for clinical (student teaching) experiences: the Quad Cities area, Western Illinois area, Chicago, and Suburban Chicago area(s). Specific student teaching sites are determined by the field supervisors charged with the responsibility for placement and supervision of student teachers in each region. Students who wish to be placed outside these regions must meet with the Field and Clinical Coordinator. Providing student teachers with quality student teaching experiences in school districts with outstanding teaching reputations is the primary objective of each field supervisor. Housing arrangements and transportation during the student teaching semester are the responsibility of each student teacher.

Grading of the Student Teaching Experience

The clinical/student teaching experience is evaluated on an S/U grading system. Candidates must have satisfactorily completed all specific departmental/program requirements to satisfactorily complete student teaching.

Teaching Licensure

Candidates must complete all graduation, teacher education assessments, and major department requirements before recommendation will be made to the Illinois State Board of Education.

Candidates planning to teach should keep in mind the special requirements of the licensure laws in Illinois or other states where they may plan to teach. Recommendation for licensure is made only by the University Licensure Officer located in Horrabin Hall 40.

Candidates seeking an Illinois professional educator license must apply online for the license after the student teaching semester.

Any candidate seeking a teaching license must pass the following State-mandated licensure assessments:

  1. Illinois Licensure Content Test(s) required prior to student teaching.
  2. Illinois edTPA, a subject-specific assessment, must be passed prior to licensure.

Note: Some candidates may be required to take more than one content test. (See education advisor for additional information.)

Note: Tests are offered online at various approved testing sites throughout the country. Advanced registration and payment of the test fee is required.

Note: Registration information is available in Horrabin Hall 40 and online at il.nesinc.com.

Note: Program/licensure requirements are subject to change without notice. Any new state-mandated requirements will supersede program requirements identified herein.

Course Descriptions

Student teaching is the process whereby a prospective teacher candidate demonstrates competence as an effective beginning teacher. Each student teacher is expected to possess, or develop, the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to successfully manage a classroom teaching-learning situation. The successful completion of an approved student teaching experience is documented through one or more of the following courses.

STUDENT TEACHING (STCH)

430 Student Teaching—Special Needs—Elementary Level. (1–16) Kindergarten through the sixth grade.

431 Student Teaching—Special Needs—Secondary Level. (1–16) Grades 7–12.

437 Student Teaching—Bilingual. (1–16) Bilingual student teaching in grades kindergarten through eighth grade.

459 Student Teaching in Early Childhood Education (PK–K). (1–16) A pre-school through kindergarten level student teaching experience. Open only to persons in the Early Childhood program.

460 Student Teaching—Primary Grades (1–3). (1–16) Student teaching in grades 1, 2, or 3.

461 Student Teaching—Intermediate Grades. (1–16) Student teaching in grades 4, 5, and 6.

462 Student Teaching—Middle Level. (1–16) Student teaching in middle level departmentalized settings, grades 5–8.

480 Student Teaching—Secondary. (1–16) Student teaching in grades 9–12.

481 Student Teaching in Music. (1–16) Grades kindergarten through the sixth grade.

482 Student Teaching in Art. (1–16) Grades kindergarten through the sixth grade.

483 Student Teaching in Physical Education. (1–16) Grades kindergarten through the sixth grade.

485 Student Teaching in Elementary Foreign Languages. (1–16) Student teaching in a foreign language in grades K–6.