The Middle Grades Education program, initiated at Coastal Carolina in 2004, prepares graduates to meets the educational requirements for South Carolina teacher licensure in grades 5-8.
The program enables Candidates to become knowledgeable about:
the developmental characteristics of young adolescents,
the range of individual differences of young adolescents, and
the implications that adolescent growth and development may have on teaching and learning.
Candidates are trained to demonstrate skill in creating, designing, and implementing curriculum and instructional activities that:
are based on standards (state and national),
are interdisciplinary in nature,
demonstrate integration of technology in curriculum planning and instruction, and
are developmentally appropriate for the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual needs of young adolescents between the ages of 10 and 14.
Each program in the Spadoni College of Education is accredited both nationally by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and by the state through the South Carolina Board of Education.
Career Outlook
The demand for Middle Grades Educators is high and growing! As more school districts across the nation adopt the middle school concept and states pass regulations seeking highly qualified teachers at all grade levels – the need for licensed Middle Grades Educators has exploded.
Program Expectations Candidates pursuing a degree in Middle Grades Education must demonstrate proficiency, knowledge, and expertise in two content areas of their choice (Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and/or English /Language Arts). Candidates must also have strong problem-solving skills; be reflective practitioners in professional thought and practice; and must be ethically, morally, and professionally responsible.
The central quality of becoming a reflective practitioner, which means that we reflect on the effectiveness of our practice as teachers and modify future decisions based upon learner outcomes, has become the model for every aspect of our program. In particular, we utilize reflection and our understanding of practice as we develop five special qualities. These qualities include: knowledge of learning and teaching, an ability to work with diverse groups, skills in researching, development of high ethical standards, and integration of information literacy through technology.
Admission to the professional program after 60 hours in the program is obtained through a formal application process requiring a minimum 2.5 grade point average, passing scores on a basic skills test (PRAXIS I), completion of specified introductory courses, and submission of faculty recommendations. Teacher licensure candidates must also pass additional state required exams to demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency in teaching and learning and their chosen content areas of specialty.
Each program in the Spadoni College of Education is accredited both nationally by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and by the state through the South Carolina Board of Education.
Special Academic and Extra Curricular Opportunities
The middle grades education program includes clinical experiences in area schools, beginning early in the program and continuing through the internship experience at the end of the program. Candidates will have at least four field experiences in addition to classroom learning experiences. Clinical fieldwork begins with a focus on guided observation experiences; followed by expectations for individual, small group, and whole-class planning and instruction. Middle grades majors have the opportunity to participate in child mentoring activities, the Education Club, our annual spring community festival for public school students and their parents, and other community service projects.
