Academics

Department of Education > Requirements

The Department of Education offers a major in education for students interested in teacher certification. An interdisciplinary educational studies minor is offered for those students who have a strong interest in educational issues but do not wish to complete a teacher certification program at the undergraduate level.

EDUCATION MAJOR

ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY TEACHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
General Information: the sequential steps leading to Teacher Certification, Elementary (K-9) or High School (6-12).

All students in the teacher education program fulfill four sets of requirements to graduate with a recommendation for certification:
1. General education courses for graduation from Lake Forest College that include courses in the humanities, natural and social sciences, courses in cultural diversity, and courses in communication skills, with a particular emphasis on writing skills.
2. A full major course of study in the Department of Education
3. A full major course of study in the content area of certification (secondary) or any content major in the college (elementary)
4. Additional courses as necessary to meet Content Area Standards in broad fields.

Stages of the Teacher Education Program at Lake Forest College
1.  Becoming an Education Major:
Students may approach a member of the Education Department faculty to declare an education major.  At this time, a tentative four-year course of study to meet program requirements will be constructed and students will be informed about necessary state certification exams and other program requirements, including portfolio requirements.

Students must agree to allow Lake Forest College to conduct a criminal history check for school security purposes.  Students must successfully pass such a check to maintain the education major. Student take ED 210, Observing the Schooling Process, the introductory course in the education major.

2.  Becoming a Teacher Candidate:  Entering a Teacher Education Program
Students who have successfully completed or are in the process of successfully completing with a B- or better coursework in ED 210 can apply for entrance to a teacher education program.  Students need to submit the following at the time of interviewing for program entrance:

a.  A transcript with a 2.75 GPA at Lake Forest College
b.  A transcript indicating a B- or better in ED 210 or the average of ED 210 and HIST 270 or PHIL 220 or SOAN 244 combined.
c.  Students must submit a portfolio of artifacts according to department requirements.
d.  Evidence that he/she has adhered to the Lake Forest College Statement of Respect and Responsibility and have not violated any college policies in ways that call into question the candidate's readiness for teaching as outlined in the Identifying Characteristics of a Lake Forest College Educated Teacher.  This can be demonstrated through (1) Academic advisor's evaluation form, (2)Dean of Students evaluation form, and (3) ED 210 instructor's positive recommendation.
e.  Evidence of passing the Illinois State Board of Education's Basic Skills Exam.

In addition to the above, students must successfully pass an interview with members of the Department Faculty.  At the interview, students will be assessed on (1) seriousness of purpose/commitment, (2) oral communication skills, (3) academic skills including flexibility, maturity, and independence, (4) relevant experiences with targeted age group.  The Department Chair will invite majors to interview based on readiness for program entry.  Readiness indicators include grade point average, performance in Lake Forest College courses required for education majors, and demonstrations of responsibility on campus, in the classroom, in field experiences, and in advising situations.

To maintain teacher education program candidacy, students must continue to sustain the above requirements.  Students will be exited from the program and will need to reapply if not all of the above requirements are sustained or if evidence is obtained that brings into question the candidate's readiness for teaching as articulated in the Identifying Characteristics of a Lake Forest College Educated Teacher. 

Students must become candidates before they can enter the internship courses (ED 304; ED 315) in any of the teacher education programs.

3.  Becoming a Student Teacher:  Application for Student Teaching
Teacher candidates who successfully complete (with a B- or better) internship and methods coursework (all 300 and 400 level courses) may apply for a student teaching placement.  All other courses (including GEC requirements) applied toward certification or designations must be completed with a grade of C or better.  This application process must be completed within the first three weeks of the semester prior to the requested student teaching placement.

The following evidence must be presented by the Education Department advisor to the Education Advisory Council:
a.  Fieldwork supervisor recommendations for continuation in certification program upon completion of internship.
b.  Teacher candidate self-assessment to begin to prepare the remainder of content-area and professional  portfolios to demonstrate competencies in meeting program standards.
c.  Evidence of completion of content-area or second major course of study before student teaching.
d.  A transcript with a 2.75 GPA.
e.  Passing score on secondary content-area or elementary content-area exam given by the Illinois State Board of Education.

The Education Advisory Council can ask for additional evidence such as recommendations from course instructors, cooperating teachers, college personnel or additional portfolio artifacts.
Following approval by the EAC, candidates will meet with the Coordinator of Field Experiences for further instructions on the placement process.

4.  Becoming a Licensed Teacher:  Application for Recommendation for Certification
The Certification Officer will recommend student teachers for certification when the following is completed:
a.  Application for License, including declaring citizenship and no felony charges,
b.  Successful assessment of portfolio presented to Exit Assessment Committee of the Education Advisory Council,
c.  Passing grade in student teaching,
d.  Fieldwork supervisor's report of successful performance and completion of
Illinois State Board of Education's Content Area Standards in Student Teaching,
e.  Passing the Assessment of Professional Teaching exam given by the Illinois
State Board of Education.

For more details on course sequences and developmental checkpoints, see the Education Department Policies and Procedures Handbook and the Developmental Portfolio Handbook and the Education Major Planning Sheets.

Academic Grievances for Teacher Education Students
Teacher education candidates have the same academic rights and responsibilities as all Lake Forest College students. There are, however, specific situations in the teacher education program when decisions may be cause for student grievances. These situations include the following:

• admission to or dismissal from the teacher education program, a clinical experience, or student teaching
• evaluation of the candidate's performance in courses, clinical experiences, or student teaching
• recommendation for state certification or for employment

Students who wish to appeal any of these teacher education matters should first confer with the chairperson of the Education Department. Appeals must be made in writing to the Education Advisory Council through the chairperson of the Education Department. Students may have personal, academic, or legal support in hearings concerning teacher education matters. The case may be further appealed to the Academic Appeals Board and, finally, to the President of the College.