Elementary Education Program Overview and Advising Information

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Elementary Education Program Overview and
Advising Information
Elementary Program Director Dr. Barbara H. Bell -
227-3345
Elementary Ed Office 246 Killian, 227-7108
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Declaration of Major

• To declare your major in Elementary Education.
• Fill out a declaration of major form. (found in
  Killian 246)
• Turn this form into Ms. Regina Grace, Elem.
  Middle Grades Education Department Assistant.

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Elementary Ed Program

• All students must complete a total of
• 128 hours including
• Liberal Studies (42 hours)
• Second Academic Concentration (18 hours)
• Professional Education Sequence (27 hours)
• Elementary Education Major courses (41 hours)

• Our program is very tight!
• Usually there is only room for 1 elective and
  still stay within 128 hours.
• Follow checklist carefully to graduate in 4
  
• years.

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Liberal Studies Tips

• Math 321, a required course for Elem Ed students,
  will count for your liberal studies math course.
  You do not need Math 101.
• Math 321 was previously Math 230, the change in
  course number will officially take place Spring
  2008
• Remember that one perspectives course needs to be
  an upper level (300 or 400 level).
• Liberal Studies Information can be found at
• http//www.wcu.edu/registrar/LibStudies/index.asp

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Second Academic Concentration Tips

• The SAC requirement for Elementary Education
  Major (18 hours in a liberal arts area) is
  mandated by the State of North Carolina.
• You should decide upon your SAC in your second
  semester freshman year so you can start to take
  SAC courses as a sophomore.
• For choices of SACs and required courses see
• http//catalog.wcu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid
  10poid791bc1

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Admission
To be admitted to the Professional Education
Sequence and the Elementary Education Program,
the following are required

• Fill out an application (Can be found in Killian
  246)
• Autobiography (use Taskstream)
• More information in EDCI 231 from your
  advisor.
• Interview during the semester you take EDCI 231
• At least a 2.75 cumulative GPA
• Passing test scores (Praxis I)
• Details provided when you take EDCI 231

Apply during sophomore year.
http//www.wcu.edu/3120.asp
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Admission to Professional Ed Sequence Testing

• Praxis I (PPST) Required Scores
• Passing scores in Praxis I is a requirement of
  the State of North Carolina
• Reading 176
• Writing 173
• Mathematics 173
• Or a total of all 3 scores at 522 or higher.
• You are strongly recommended to take these Praxis
  tests in the first semester of your sophomore
  year.
• Must pass the Praxis before you can take many of
  the courses in Elementary Education.

http//www.wcu.edu/3120.asp
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Qualifying SAT scorescan be substitutedfor the
Praxis I exam!

• Total SAT score of 1100 exempt from all Praxis I
  requirements.
• Less than 1100 but at least 550 on verbal SAT
  exempt from Praxis I Reading and Writing
• Less than 1100 but at least 550 on math SAT
  exempt from Praxis I in Mathematics

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Qualifying ACT scores can be substituted for
the Praxis I exam!

• Composite ACT score of 24 exempt from all Praxis
  I requirements
• Less than 24 composite but at least 24 on
  English exempt from Praxis I Reading and Writing
• Less than 24 composite but at least 24 on Math
  exempt from Praxis I in Mathematics

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Praxis I Support Available!

• PLATO, an on-line preparation program for the
  Praxis I
• Visit www.ceap.wcu.edu/ppst.htm. 
• Print out the instructions first! 
• Only 10 people can be logged into PLATO at once,
  so if you have trouble logging in, simply try
  again later.
• Praxis I Preparation Books
• On reserve in Hunter Library
• Available for check out in Killian 219
• Math Section Support Mathematics Tutoring Center
• http//www.wcu.edu/mathlab/
• Reading Section Support The Reading Center
• Dr. Barbara Bell, bbell_at_email.wcu.edu
• Writing Section Support The Writing Center
• http//www.wcu.edu/writingcenter/isource.asp?page
  praxis.html
• Study Guide Zone Free, Online Study Guides
  Practice Questions

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Praxis I Registration

• Can be taken as computer-based or with paper and
  pencil.
• Paper and pencil tests are offered on campus and
  takes several weeks to get your scores.
• Register online
• Computer-based testing centers which provide
  Reading and Math scores immediately are available
  throughout the country.
• Closest Asheville
• Find out about others Call 1-800-853-6773
• Register by phone or http//www.prometric.com/

• For more information or to register, go to
  http//www.ets.org/praxis/

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Prerequisites

• Many of our courses require admission (not just
  declaring ELED as your major!) to the
  professional Elementary Education sequence AND
  maintenance of a 2.75 or better GPA.
• See BSEd checklist found in Killian 246. Do not
  sign up for courses with if you are not fully
  admitted.
• Eligibility will be checked at the beginning of
  each semester. You will be dropped from courses
  you are not eligible to take.
• EDRD 303, EDEL 418, EDEL 312 and ELMG 417 have
  EDCI 231 as a prerequisite, with a grade of C or
  better.

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Sequencing Notes

• Take EDEL 418 before ELMG 419.
• Take EDEL 312 before EDEL 311.
• Take EDEL 311 with ELMG 390 (Block School
  Visitation).

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Field Experiences in Elem Ed Courses

• ELMG 390 Block
• 1 day/week in a public school
• Typically taken 2nd semester junior year
• ELMG 484 Intern I
• 2 days/week in a public school
• Taken 1st semester senior year(Internship Seminar
  included)
• ELMG 485 Intern II
• Full time in a public school
• Same class as Intern I
• Taken 2nd semester senior year (with an
  Internship Seminar)

Field experiences are part of additional courses
such as EDCI 231, PSY 320, PSY 321, and SPED 337.
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Applying for Block (ELMG 390)

• When?
• The semester before you plan to be in block.
• How?
• First register for classes for the upcoming
  semester.
• Then complete a block application, which will be
  in the EMGE department office (K246).

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Sequencing Notes Intern I Semester
Co-requisites(typically next-to-last semester)

• ELMG 484 (Intern I)
• ELMG 415
• ELMG 466
• EDRD 474

• This is a very full semester
• No other courses are typically taken.
• You must get permission in advance to take
  any other courses.
• Email requests to Elementary Ed Program
  Director
• (Dr. Bob Houghton, houghton_at_email.wcu.edu)

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Intern II(typically last semester)

• ELMG 485 (Intern II)
• ELMG 495 (Internship Seminar)
• No additional courses can be taken during this
  semester.

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What courses do Elem Ed students need to earn a C
or better in?

• ENGL 101 and ENGL 102
• MATH 321 and MATH 322
• PE 361, ART 363, MUS 301
• EDCI 231, PSY 320, PSY 321, SPED 337
• All EDEL, EDMG, EDRD, and ELMG courses
• If a student fails any course in the professional
  education sequence twice, the student is
  withdrawn from teacher education program.

• Courses in liberal studies or SACs will be
  accepted with less than Cs however your overall
  GPA must remain 2.75 or higher to be in the
  professional education sequence.

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Option to Consider!

• Add on a K-12 reading license with just a few
  extra courses. (See checklist.)
• Elem. Ed. Majors need 4 more classes
• For more info see Dr. Bell or the
• http//readingcenter.wcu.edu/
• EDRD 443 Middle Grades Reading (3 times in a 4
  semester rotation)
• EDRD 467 Adolescent Literature (Spring Only)
• EDRD 453 H.S. Adult Reading (Summer Only)
• Guided Elective by approval of Reading Center
  Director

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Student Groups to Consider

• CHILD Concerned Helpers in Learning Development
• CMLA Collegiate Middle Level Association
  (forming Fall 2007)
• SNEA Students National Education Association
• NCCTM North Carolina Council of Teachers of
  Mathematics

See our website for details! http//emge.wcu.edu/
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Scholarships Available!

• Pick up applications in the Office of Special
  Programs in G22 McKee (828-227-3371). 
• Firm Deadline December 1. 
• Previous recipients must reapply each year.

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Check Our Website Often!http//emge.wcu.edu/
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Program Requirements, Including Checklist
http//emge.wcu.edu/5407.asp
Faculty Contact Info
http//emge.wcu.edu/5405.asp
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News Announcements Updated Regularly Check
Often!
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Resources to Help You Plan Transcript Degree
Evaluation

• You must meet with your advisor to get your
  requisition access number.
• Go to My Cat (https//mycat1.wcu.edu/cp/home/displ
  aylogin).
• Click on Personal Services.
• Transcript Semester by semester list of courses
  and grades
• Degree Evaluation An overview of requirements
  met and still needed

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Tips Resources to Help You Plan Class
Schedule for Advising

• How do I find it?
• Go to MyCat https//mycat1.wcu.edu/cp/home/displa
  ylogin
• Log in with your Student 92 and Password
• Locate Virtual One Stop Links (Left Hand Side)
• Click My Class Schedule
• Look carefully at course prefixes to help you
  find what youre looking for.
• EDEL Elementary Education
• ELMG Elementary/Middle Grades
• EDRD Reading
• EDCI Curriculum Instruction
• Advisors post appointment times outside their
  office doors at Advising Time
• Advising is typically in October March
• Check http//www.wcu.edu/registrar/ advising
  dates registration dates.

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Advising Reminders

• Schedule a meeting with your advisor in advance.
  Plan ahead. Arrive on time.
• Be prepared. Impress your advisor!
• Bring a completed checklist.
• Bring a tentative schedule for the next semester.
• Bring a list of any questions you have.

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For other questions contact

• The Department Office 246 Killian 227-7108
• Faculty Contact Information
• http//emge.wcu.edu