Childhood and Early Adolescent Education
Childhood (PK – 4) and Early Adolescent Education
[The PK - 4 and 4-8 English or Social Studies certificates will not be issued to PSU graduates by the Pennsylvania Department of Education until after August 31, 2013].
Teachers make collective and individual decisions about life in classrooms in order to help students to develop as active, knowledgeable citizens of a multicultural world. These decisions are based on teachers' understandings of themselves, their students, human development and diversity, subject matter, educational theory, curricular design, instructional method, federal, state and institutional regulations, and political, social and moral relationships between education and community and world affairs. Teachers develop their understanding continuously through systematic intensive inquiry into these matters involving problem posing, data gathering through educational literature, product analysis, observation and discussion, probing, the historical conditions which yielded the present circumstances surrounding these matters, and acting on this new knowledge. That is, teachers demonstrate the power of education for their students and society by constructing reflective practice from the intellectual and practical sides of their responsibilities in and out of schools.
Penn State undergraduate teacher education programs are designed to provide students with experiences necessary to become certified teachers of elementary education. Each program specifies entrance criteria and requires 45 credits of directed general education study to begin the lifelong inquiry into subject area knowledge, followed by professional course work and various field experiences including student teaching. Students gain additional practical experience with children through volunteer activities or part-time employment in related areas as well as through the required courses. Upon successful completion of all requirements for graduation, students receive a Bachelor of Science degree. To be certified to teach, students must also meet any test and clearance requirements as specified by The Pennsylvania Department of Education.
The PK – 4 teaching option in the Childhood and Early Adolescent Education (CEAED) major was developed using guidelines recommended by the National Association for Education of Young Children, as well as standards established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to support the growth and content understanding beginning with the youngest learners and continuing into the fourth grade.
The 4-8 options for English or Social Studies were developed using guidelines recommended by the National Council of Teachers of English and the National Council for the Social Studies as well as, standards established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to support the growth and content understanding required in grades 4-8.
It is helpful for advisers to communicate to prospective teachers the sequences of courses in the CEAED program. After official entry to the major, and during either semester of the junior year, prospective teachers schedule the Arts and Literacy Block (A ED 303, Music 241, LL ED 400, 401, 402). The next cluster of EK ED courses is the Discipline Inquiry Block (MTHED 420, SCIED 458, SS ED 430W, C I 495 B). This block ideally should be taken in the semester immediately preceding student teaching. The block consists of three courses on teaching and learning the content of mathematics, science, and social studies, and is integrated with a practicum in local elementary schools or child care settings. Advisees should be reminded that transportation to practica is not provided. The program's capstone experience is the 15-week practicum.
Graduates with strong academic backgrounds, outstanding practicum experience, and determination have often been successful in securing teaching positions in public and private schools. Because school employers seek top quality teachers, graduates benefit from the excellent reputation of Penn State's teacher education programs.
