approaches to learning and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to learners from diverse cultural backgrounds and with exceptionalities. 4. The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage the students’ development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills. 5. The teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation. 6. The teacher uses knowledge of effective verbal, non-verbal, and media communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom. 7. The teacher plans and manages instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, students, the community, and curriculum goals. 8. The teacher understands and uses formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social, and physical development of his or her learners. 9. The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of her or his choices and actions on others (students, parents, and other professionals in the learning community) and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally. 10. A teacher communicates and interacts with parents/ guardians, families, school colleagues, and the community to support their students’ learning and well being A secondary education major is approved for those students majoring in one of the following content areas at USF:
• Biology
• Communication Studies and Theatre
• English
• History
• Language Arts composite
• Mathematics
Candidates must fulfill major requirements in their chosen area along with the secondary education requirements and the liberal arts core requirements of the University. Teaching endorsements may be added to the major. Requirements for Certification: Candidates preparing to teach in secondary schools must earn a minimum of 47 s.h. hours in Education, including the following required courses: EDU 201 Foundations of Education, EDU 202 Exceptional Students, EDU 218 Paraprofessional in Education, EDU 231 Native American Studies, EDU 251 Human Relations, EDU 240 Technology in Education, EDU 304 Assessment and Evaluation, EDU 311 Content Literacy for ELL and Struggling Readers, EDU 329 Secondary/ Middle Methods, EDU 405 Instructional Management, EDU 410 Foundations of Middle School, and EDU 412 Student Teaching: Secondary. In addition, the following courses are required: EXS 205 First Aid/CPR and a methods course in the content area.
Secondary Education Major Curriculum and Recommended Sequence Freshman and sophomore years: ❏ EDU201 Foundations of Education ❏ EDU251 Human Relations ❏ EDU218 Paraprofessional in Education ❏ EDU231 Native American Studies for Educators ❏ EDU240 Technology in Education Junior and Senior years: ❏ EDU304 Assessment and Evaluation ❏ EDU311 Content Literacy for ELL and Struggling Readers ❏ EDU329 Secondary and Middle Level Methods ❏ EDU410 Foundations of Middle School A methods course in major area of preparation (2-4 s.h.) ❏ ______________________________________ ❏ EDU202 Exceptional Students ❏ EDU405 Instructional Management ❏ EDU412 Student Teaching: Secondary ❏ EXS205 First Aid/CPR Variations from this pattern for the secondary education major are permissible only with the approval of the Chair of the School of Education.
Middle School Endorsements All USF graduates in elementary education (K-8) have the components of a middle school endorsement integrated within the program of study. A content Praxis Exam for each middle school endorsement is required for certification. Exam numbers beginning with a "5" indicate tests can be taken online.
Praxis Exam Title
Praxis Exam Test Number
5-8 MS Math
0069/5069
5-8 MS English
0049/5049
5-8 MS Science
0439/5439
5-8 MS Social Studies
0089/5089
Admission to Teacher Education Program All USF students who plan to teach, including elementary, secondary and K-12 candidates, must attain full admission to the teacher education program of the Fredrikson School of Education. Admission to the program is required prior to taking education courses numbered 300 or higher. Students should consult the Teacher Education Handbook for additional details concerning the program’s policies and procedures.
EDU201
2.0 or higher
EDU218
2.0 or higher
Cumulative GPA
2.6 or higher
Praxis I Test (PPST)
Cut Score
Math (#10730 or # Computer 5730)
172
Reading (#10710 or # Computer 5710)
171
Writing (#20720 or #Computer 5720)
172
(These exams can be taken at a testing center in Sioux Falls)
education
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