Early Childhood Education

Teacher Education Candidates: Critical Decision Points and Assessment Benchmarks

To determine the progress of education and teaching candidates in meeting departmental standards, five benchmarks or checkpoints are used across the programs. 
Note: The Otterbein Department of Education reserves the right to refuse registration and/or admission to any candidate who does not meet the criteria or who does not make satisfactory progress in the Teacher Education Program.

Decision Point 1:  Pre-Admission (Entry to EDUC 1600)

• 2.5 overall GPA in courses that appear on the Otterbein transcript
• ACT scores of 20 or above on both English and Math, OR
• SAT scores of 500 or above on both Critical Writing (formerly Critical Reading) and Math, OR
• Praxis I score of 172 or above on Writing and/or Math OR Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (as of 9/1/14) with scores of 150 on Math and/or 162 on Writing.  Scores must be sent to Otterbein University, Education Department. Students who fail the same Praxis I OR Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test three times are no longer eligible for program admission

Decision Point 2:  Admission to Teacher Education Programs

• Students complete applications during EDUC 2000 or 2200 in the digital portfolio that all students have. Applications are due the third week of the term. Criteria for admission to the Teacher Education Program includes:

• Must continue to meet all Decision Point 1 criteria.
• A minimum of three semesters or 48 semester hours of college level work, including EDUC 1600 and EDUC 2000/2200; a minimum of two semesters or 28 semester hours must be completed at Otterbein;
• AYA and Multi-Age candidates must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours in their teaching area;
• Post-evaluation 2.5 overall GPA from all institutions;
• Post-evaluation 2.75 GPA in teaching area(s);
• Positive recommendations from persons listed below, which will be used to assess interpersonal relations, motivation, and content knowledge:
  1. EDUC 1600 instructor, supervisor, and cooperating teacher(s);
  2. EDUC 2000/2200 instructor, supervisor, and cooperating teacher(s);
  3. A member of the Otterbein faculty or staff, chosen by the candidate, who can assess the student's critical dispositions. It is the candidate’s responsibility to request completion of a recommendation form from a faculty/staff member. Forms are available in the Education Office or by clicking here (see Recommendation Form);
  4. The chairperson of the teaching area department (for AYA or Multi-Age).
• Transfer and post-baccalaureate candidates who have completed at least 75% of their content area requirements with a content GPA of 2.75 or higher do not need approval of the content area department and may apply for admission prior to completing 12 content hours at Otterbein;
• Proficiency in written communication as evidenced by a "C" or better in a college level composition course;
• EDUC 1600 and EDUC 2000/2200 requirements include: proficiency in oral communication, course grades of C or higher, and overall field ratings of 3 or higher.
• At the discretion of the Teacher Education Committee, data collected and reported in all college-level courses; and dispositions in courses, field experiences, and on-campus interactions with university faculty, staff, and students may also be considered in the decision to admit a student to teacher education.  This list is not inclusive.

Applications are reviewed every term; files are complete only after a candidate has taken EDUC 1600 and 2000/2200.  Applicants will be notified of the action of the Committee in writing within two weeks of the decision, and they may reapply if they do not qualify on the first application by contacting the Education Department for application deadlines.

Eligibility will again be checked prior to candidates being enrolled in Methods courses.  Candidates must receive positive recommendations from their early field experience in order to enroll in EDUC 3200, 3420, 3700, or MUSC 3032/3033, or ART 3920, or SPAN 3700.

Decision Point 3:  Enrollment in Capstone (Student Teaching Experience)

The Student Teaching-Internship Placement Request Form is available on the Education website under “Department Forms.” Requests must be submitted at least two terms before student teaching. Candidates' records will again be reviewed before student teaching placement to assure the following criteria for eligibility are met:

• GPA (see Admission requirements);
• Successful completion of pre-student teaching field and course requirements;
• Positive recommendation from a Methods instructor;
• Submission of a student teaching-internship placement request form to the Department of Education;
• Interview with the Director or Assistant Director of Field Placements;
• Post-baccalaureate foreign language candidates must pass both ACTFL content licensure tests (OPI and WPT) prior to student teaching

Candidates needing more time to demonstrate competencies for student teaching may be required to take an extra field experience.

Decision Point 4:  Exit Requirements for Student Teaching
Candidates must successfully complete student teaching clinical practice requirements; including the EdTPA (Teacher Performance Assessment) for national scoring, attending seminars and workshops, and completing a portfolio and Senior Year Experience or MAT inquiry project and final presentation.

Decision Point 5: Program Completion and Recommendation for Licensure

• Completion of all required coursework, including a "C" grade in all Professional Education courses;
• Verification of GPA requirements (see Admission to Teacher Education);
• Application for graduation/program completion (See Registrar's Office for details at least two terms before you plan to complete your program);
• Licensure candidates should have a 2.75 GPA in their content area; Integrated Science majors need a 3.00 GPA
• Successful completion of OAE licensure tests required for the specific licensure area(s). Note: Modern Language teacher candidates must score at the “Advanced Low” level on the OPI and WPT tests (ACTFL tests).
• Valid Fingerprinting and Background Check is required for licensure;
• Set up a SAFE account on the Ohio Department of Education website and apply for licensure. 

Education Degrees for the Next Generation of Teachers

Otterbein University offers programs to prepare teachers in several settings: Early Childhood (Pre-K through grade 3), Early Childhood Intervention Specialist (Pre-K through grade 3), Middle Childhood (grades 4-9), and Secondary (adolescent/young adult, grades 7-12).