The Elementary Education program prepares candidates to meet the educational requirements for South Carolina certification in Elementary Education in grades 2-6. It is expected that degree candidates will possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and dispositions required to be effective teachers. In preparation for teaching, education candidates must be aware that society has charged the education profession with an enormous responsibility – the care of its future through the development of its youth. Society will never allow this responsibility to be taken lightly.
Conceptual Framework
The Conceptual Framework of all teacher preparation programs in the Spadoni College of Education is the Teacher as Reflective Practitioner. Though this model, programs are directed toward the development of knowledge, skills, and dispositions which will ensure that all candidates are highly qualified and meet all university, state, and national expectations of beginning teachers at the completion of their respective programs of study. Reflective practitioners are seen as effective leaders, sound communicators, and competent problem solvers.
The state-mandated ADEPT framework, NCATE standards, and specialized professional association national standards established for educators are intertwined into our Professional Program in Teacher Education. The Reflective Practitioner model with its accompanying five performance strands addressing the Knowledge, Skills, and Professional Behaviors expected of beginning teachers provides a systematic way to instruct and evaluate candidate growth.
Five Knowledge and Skill Performance Dimensions
1. Content and Pedagogical Knowledge
ADEPT - APS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
2. Technology Integration and Use
ADEPT - APS 5, 7
3. Diversity
ADEPT - APS 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8
4. Ethical Professional Behavior
ADEPT - APS 8, 10
5. Reflective Practice
ADEPT - APS 3, 7, 8, 10
General Description
The Spadoni College of Education strives for the highest quality in the preparation of individuals for the profession of teaching. The College's programs are approved by the South Carolina State Board of Education and nationally accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Field-based experiences and instruction, both sequential and incremental, are important components of each of the programs. Our local public schools work closely with the College to help provide relevant and productive sites for field placements of education candidates. These schools collaborate with the College to provide the personnel, curriculum, and environments necessary to offer effective instruction for prospective teachers.
When the academic program is successfully completed, candidates will have completed requirements toward receiving a South Carolina teaching license in Elementary Education. Verification must be made by the Dean of the Spadoni College that the candidate has achieved the minimum passing score on the appropriate content area Praxis I, Praxis II, and PLT examinations. The South Carolina State Board of Education also requires candidates to undergo a fingerprint review and clearance by SLED and the FBI as a part of the application process for the Internship.
Advisement
Following full admission to Coastal Carolina University, future candidates who wish to pursue a degree in Elementary Education offered by the Spadoni College of Education will be assigned an adviser on the basis of their desired major and area of emphasis. Current candidates desiring to transfer to the SCOE should contact the Office of the Dean for information and assistance. Advisers and advisees meet at least twice annually to review candidate progress and assist candidates with planning course selection.
