Teacher Education
in the United States
Mary Ariail, Ph.D.
Department of Middle and Secondary Education
College of Education
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA
mariail@gsu.edu
Dr. Mary Ariail
Georgia State University
Georgia State University
Dr. Mary Ariail
Georgia State University
THE UNITED STATES
GSU
Atlanta
GEORGIA
Dr. Mary Ariail
Georgia State University
Teacher Preparation in
the United States
1. The future of teacher preparation in the United
States; the Obama plan for education
2. Teacher preparation in Georgia
– ITP (Initial Teacher Preparation) programs in
Department of Middle and Secondary Education
at Georgia State University
– Overview of one 4-year program (BSE MLE)
3. Implications for teacher education
Dr. Mary Ariail
Georgia State University
Teacher Education in the United States
Current status and future trends
• Historically, decisions about education have been left to
the 50 states.
• President George W. Bush – 2001: No Child Left Behind
(NCLB); tied federal funding to state compliance with
standard-setting and measurable goals
• 2008: Obama administration inherited legacy of NCLB
• Both administrations support increased national
standardization (e.g., common core standards, edTPA)
• Compliance from states is now driven by Race To The Top
R2T funding ($4.35 billion)
Dr. Mary Ariail
Georgia State University
Georgia is a Race to
the Top State
Received $4,000,000
in federal funding to
improve teacher
education
Dr. Mary Ariail
Georgia State University
Initial Teacher Preparation Programs (ITP)
Middle and Secondary Education
Georgia State University
• Programs
– 1 Undergraduate (BSE) in Middle Level Education
– 1 Undergraduate program for Physics majors in
College of Arts & Sciences (BS Physics)
– 7 graduate programs on campus (MAT)
– 1 graduate program online (MAT)
• Total of 10 programs and approximately 180 ITP
students in this department; 800 across the College
of Education
Dr. Mary Ariail
Georgia State University
Middle and Secondary Education
UNDERGRADUATE
BSE (4-8)
• Concentrations (2)
–
–
–
–
–
Reading
Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
BS Physics (6-12)
Dr. Mary Ariail
Georgia State University
GRADUATE
MAT
• English (6-12)
• Mathematics (6-12)
• Science (6-12)
• Social Studies (6-12)
• Middle LA/SS (4-8)
• Middle MA/SC (4-8)
• ESOL (PK-12)
• ESOL (PK-12) online
Initial Teacher Preparation (ITP) Programs
Undergraduate Programs
• Undergraduate - Bachelor of Science in Education
(BSE)
– Certification to teach grades 4-8
– Students select 2 concentrations: Reading, Language
Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies
• Undergraduate – Bachelor of Science (BS) in Physics
– Certification to teach grades 6-12
– Degree is held in the College of Arts & Sciences
– Concentration in Education
Dr. Mary Ariail
Georgia State University
Initial Teacher Preparation (ITP) Programs
Graduate Programs
• Graduate – Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
– Secondary
• Certification to teach grades 6-12
• English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies
– Middle Level
• Certification to teach grades 4-8
• Concentrations in Lang.Arts/Soc Studies or Math/Science
– ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages)
• Certification to teach grades PK-12
• Parallel online program (separate but equal)
Dr. Mary Ariail
Georgia State University
Overview of BSE
4-year Undergraduate Program
• Areas A-E: Undergraduate core (years 1 &2)
• Area F: Preteaching (year 2: 2nd semester)
• Area G.1: Content concentrations (year 3: 1st semester)
Admission to Teacher Education
• Area G.2: Core Knowledge for Middle Childhood Education
(year 3, 2nd semester)
• Area G.3: Pedagogical Knowledge (year 4: 1st semester)
• Area H: Student Teaching (year 4: 2nd semester)
Dr. Mary Ariail
Georgia State University
Undergraduate Requirements for
Admission to Teacher Education
• 2.5+ GPA (grade point average)
• Passing scores on the GACE Program Admission
Test (may be exempted with high SAT scores)
• Completion of an online criminal background
check
• Completion of liability insurance form
• Successful interview with program faculty
Dr. Mary Ariail
Georgia State University
Program Coursework
Semester 1 after Admission to Teacher Education
Area G.2: Core Knowledge for Middle Childhood Education
(12 hours) (year 3, 2nd semester)
- EDCI 3200: Organization and Instruction of the Middle
Grades Curriculum (3)
- EDCI 3220: Understanding and Supporting Middle School
Learners (3)
- IT 3210: Teaching, Learning & Technology Integration (3)
- EXC 4020: Characteristics and Instructional Strategies for
Students with Disabilities (3)
Dr. Mary Ariail
Georgia State University
Undergraduate Coursework
Semester 2 after Admission to Teacher Education
Area G.3: Core Knowledge for Middle Childhood Education (12
hours) (year 4, 1st semester)
-
EDCI 4600: Practicum I (16 hours/week in schools)
-
EDRD 4600: Reading and Writing in the Content Areas (3)
-
Two “Concepts and Methods” courses in two selected concentration
areas (6):
-
EDLA 4400: Language Arts (3)
-
EDMT 4460: Mathematics (3)
-
EDRD 4450: Reading (3)
-
EDSC 4470: Science (3)
-
EDSS 4480: Social Studies (3)
Dr. Mary Ariail
Georgia State University
Typical Schedule for
Practicum Semester (G.3)
• Equivalent of 2 full days per week (16 hours/week)
– 4th or 5th grade classroom: 4 weeks, beginning in August
– 6-8th grade classroom: 10 weeks, September-December
• Afternoon and evening coursework (MondayThursday):
– Reading/Writing Across the Curriculum
– 2 methods courses
– 1 additional content course
Dr. Mary Ariail
Georgia State University
Undergraduate Coursework
Semester 3 after Admission to Teacher Education
Area H: Student Teaching (12 hr) (year 4, 2nd semester)
- EDCI 4700: Student Teaching (40 hr/week in schools
plus (1) written assignments, (2) successful
observations and (3) evaluations of professional
behavior and dispositions) (9)
- EDCI 4640: Critical Issues in Middle Grades
Education (3)
- May take one additional course, if needed
Dr. Mary Ariail
Georgia State University
Typical Schedule for
Student Teaching Semester
• Full-time placement in one classroom: MondayFriday, 40 hours per week, approximately 15
weeks
• Evening coursework:
– Critical issues in Middle Grades Education
– 1 additional content course, if needed
Note: Including observation hours in pre-teaching courses,
teacher candidates spend more than than 800 contact hours in
school settings by the end of program.
Dr. Mary Ariail
Georgia State University
Major Assignments for Practicum and
Student Teaching
•
Observations of numerous classrooms
•
Detailed lesson plans
•
•
•
Gradual increase in teaching responsibilities (individual,
small group, whole class)
edTPA: planning, instruction, assessment, videos of
teaching
Reflections on learning
Dr. Mary Ariail
Georgia State University
Additional Program Requirements
• Successful completion of all coursework
with a B (84) or higher in all courses in
Areas G.2, G.3, and H
• Passing score on program portfolio
Additional Certification Requirements
• Passing score on GACE Content Exam
• Passing score on edTPA (beginning fall
2015)
Dr. Mary Ariail
Georgia State University
Key Components of the edTPA
• A nationally available performance assessment of readiness to
teach
• Three major components: Planning, Instruction, Assessment
• Teacher candidates prepare, teach, and analyze 3-5
consecutive lessons.
• Artifacts, including videos of teaching are submitted online to
external reviewers.
• Passing score required for students to receive induction
certificate for teaching
Dr. Mary Ariail
Georgia State University
Graduate Program (MAT Degree)
Admission Requirements
• Undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in content
area
• 2.5 GPA
• Passing score or exemption on GACE Program
Admission Assessment
• Official score on GRE
• 2 letters of recommendation
• Goal statement/writing sample
Dr. Mary Ariail
Georgia State University
Major Implications for
Teacher Preparation Programs
• More government control over program requirements
– Must teach common core standards
– New certification requirements
– edTPA performance assessment
• More accountability for student achievement at all levels
(including higher education)
• Increased linking of student achievement to teaching
effectiveness of program graduates
• Use of federal funding to leverage compliance at state level;
more government intervention and less state autonomy
Dr. Mary Ariail
Georgia State University
Contact Information
Dr. Mary Ariail
Associate Chair, Department of Middle and
Secondary Education
Georgia State University
mariail@gsu.edu
(404) 413-8382
Dr. Mary Ariail
Georgia State University