Elementary Education B.A. in Ed. (K-8)

Elementary Education Major/Endorsement (Levels K-8)

This baccalaureate degree program is designed to provide broad preparation for students planning to teach at the elementary (K-8) grade level. Students complete the General University Course Requirements (GUCRs), professional education core courses, major courses (specialty methods courses), a selected concentration, and required supporting courses.

Students must pass the three sub tests of the WEST-B and meet the College of Education and Psychology’s program admission process before completing the education courses.

Students must pass the WEST-E Elementary Education (005 and 006) tests before co-teaching.

Upon satisfactory completion of all requirements for a B.A. in Education degree, passing the WEST-Es, co-teaching, and edTPA (Teacher Performance Assessment), Heritage recommends the candidate for certification for a Washington State Residency Teacher Certificate.  The certificate will include all endorsements earned at that time by the student. 

Teacher Preparation Program Requirements

 Pass the three sub tests of the WEST-B (math, reading and writing).

1. Undergraduate students must have an Associate of Arts–Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA) or equivalency.
2. Two.six (2.6) GPA for last 30 semester (45 quarter) credits for admission and maintain a minimum of 2.8 throughout program.
3. Clear Moral Character and Personal Fitness–WAC 181-86 and 181-87 and RCW 28-A.410.
4. Pass the appropriate WEST-E (s).
5. Pass the appropriate edTPA.

 Teacher Preparation Programs Admission Guidelines

 Before starting classes:

 Admitted to Heritage University, including transcript evaluation.

1. Meet 2.6 GPA for last 30 semester (45 quarter) credits for admission
2. Associate of Arts–Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA) or completion of general university courses for undergraduate students.
3. Letter of application.
4. Submit WATCH form.
5. Submit Declaration of Major form.
6. WEST-B–All three sub tests must be attempted by the time students begin classes. (fee required.)
7. Purchase Chalk and Wire (ePortfolio). (fee required)

 During first semester:

 Character and Fitness form filled out during orientation. (fee required)

1. Pass Ed 305 with at least a B (3.0).
2. Complete application for admission to the teacher preparation program.
3. Interview by faculty, staff, or Professional Education Advisory Board. (PEAB)
4. Complete Assessment of Professional Disposition.

 By end of first academic year:

1. Majors in elementary education must attempt both elementary WEST-E exams (005 and 006) during second semester of classes. This refers to the semester following completion of ED305 or ED505.
2. Undergraduate students must pass all three sub test of WEST-B by end of second week in July of the first year or will be deferred.

 Before co-teaching:

1. All candidates majoring in elementary education must have passed the WEST-E exams (005 and 006) by the last available testing date in October in order to obtain a co-teaching placement for spring or the last available testing date in April in order to obtain a co-teaching placement for fall.
2. All other WEST-E exams (except for elementary education) must have been attempted by the last available testing date in October in order to obtain a co-teaching placement for spring or the last available test date in April in order to obtain a co-teaching placement for fall. 
3. All WEST-E exams must be passed before any candidate can be recommended for certification.
4. Complete an interview for approval to advance to co-teaching.

 During co-teaching:

1. Satisfactory completed of the education Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA).
2. Satisfactory scores of Professional Competencies Assessment Instrument (PCAI) and final.

 After completion of co-teaching, steps in teacher certification:

 Complete all academic requirements.

1. Complete all certification requirements.

a. Application for a Teacher’s Certificate (Form SPI/CERT 4401.

b. Application fee of $68. (Check or money order made out to Heritage University.)

c. Pass appropriate WEST-E(s).

d. Maintain valid fingerprints and character clearances.

e. Pass edTPA.

f.  Submit a completed Professional Growth Plan.

Assignment or progress admission status:

 The following criteria will be used to determine program admission status of the candidate.

 For unconditional admission to the program, a candidate must have:

• Completed application for admission to the Teacher Preparation Program.
• Completed the Character and Fitness Supplement with all “no” answers, not including section 1, numbers 1 and 2.
• Completed the General University Course Requirements (GUCRs).
• Passed all three sub tests of the WEST-B.
• Satisfactory ratings on the Assessment of Professional Dispositions.
• Satisfactory ratings on the writing sample completed in ED 305.
• Approval recommended by interview team

 For conditional admission to the program, a candidate may have: 

• A completed application for admission to the Teacher Preparation Program not received.
• Any “yes” answers on the Character and Fitness Supplement, not including section 1, numbers 1 and 2.
• Unsatisfactory completion of General University Course Requirements (GUCRs).
• Indicators of concern noted on the Assessment of Professional Dispositions.
• Unsatisfactory rating on writing sample or recommendation to complete additional courses in writing.
• Conditional approval recommended by the interview team

Other conditions may be identified at the discretion of the teacher education program chair according to his or her professional judgment. All conditions must be met before the candidate interviews for approval to co-teach.

  A candidate may be deferred admission to the program if they have:

• Answered “yes” to any question on the Character and Fitness Supplement, not including section 1, numbers 1 and 2.
• Deficient completion of General University Course Requirements (GUCRs).
• Failed to attempt all three sub tests of the WEST-B.
• Significant Concerns expressed on the Assessment of Professional Disposition.
• Inadequate writing skills, as judged by faculty in the Education and/or English departments.
• Earned less than a B (3.0) in ED 305.
• Earned less than a cumulative GPA of 2.60 for the most recent 30 semester or 45 quarter credits.
• Non-approval of admission by the interview team.
• Failure to maintain 2.8 GPA.

Any candidate deferred admission to the Teacher Certification Program, according to the guidelines listed above, may not enroll in education, bilingual education, early childhood education, or special education classes. All candidates being deferred admission will have a right to appeal the decision in writing to the dean of the College of Education and Psychology.

 A candidate may be granted provisional status* if they have attempted all three sub tests of the WEST-B but have not passed one or two sub tests.

* Provisional status is applied to students who pass one or two of the three sub tests on the WEST-B exam; students have until the end of the current academic year to pass all three sub tests before being placed on deferred status. Students can continue to take courses until the end of the current academic year, ending in August. Deferred status will not allow you to register for any additional education courses Education [ED], Bilingual Education [BLE], Early Childhood Education [ECE], or Special Education [SPED] courses).

Criteria for maintaining good standing: 

Students accepted into the B.A. in Education (K-8 or 4-9) or the B.A. (5-12) degree must maintain a 2.80 cumulative GPA. Courses in the professional core, endorsement areas, or supporting course work, may not be taken pass/no pass or fall below a C (2.0) grade.

Accepted applicants for the residency certificate post-baccalaureate program who have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution other than Heritage University, or transfer students, must also be admitted to the Teacher Preparation Program and complete at least one-half the required professional core courses, and methodology courses, plus co-teaching internship, at Heritage University.

Departmental requirements are subject to change according to state certification requirements. Completion of requirements for a degree does not guarantee that all requirements for certification have been met.