Elementary Education
Learning Objectives
Approved Program in Elementary Education
Candidates completing a B.A. in Elementary Education will:
- develop a thorough understanding of the social, intellectual, physical, and emotional development of children;
- identify the nature of learning and behaviors involving children;
- construct a curriculum appropriate to the needs of children;
- utilize existing knowledge about parents and cultures in dealing effectively with children;
- gain a thorough knowledge of the fundamental concepts of appropriate disciplines and how to relate them to children;
- identify and implement differentiated teaching strategies in lessons designed for elementary students;
- understand diagnostic tools and approaches for assessing students at all levels and how to remediate learning problems in the various disciplines; and
- develop their maximum potential through the provision of a succession of planned and guided experiences.
Assessment of Learning Objectives
The Georgia Professional Standards Commission requires that the Department of Education use technology to show that all candidates have met specific standards. To cover the cost of the software used for individual candidate performance, portfolio development, and data collection, a $130 subscription fee is assessed in the spring sophomore course, EDUC 4459 Special Needs and Exceptional Children. While in the program, candidates will be assessed for knowledge of the content standards with Content Diagnostic Assessments throughout the program. Only two attempts are permitted for post content diagnostic. There shall be a 30 day time period between attempts. If candidates are unable to pass a content diagnostic after the second attempt, they will be enrolled in the course EDUC 4490S before beginning the second semester of clinical practice (senior year). Failure to pass content diagnostics by the end of the second semester of senior year will result in a change of major to Education Studies. If candidates obtain a passing score of 70% or more on all five of the content diagnostic assessments, permission will be granted to take the GACE content assessment. Candidates majoring in Early Childhood Education must pass the GACE Early Childhood Education Test I & II as a program completion requirement. Candidates majoring in Music Education must pass the GACE Music Assessment as a program completion requirement.
Additional Charges Incurred During Program of Study
Teacher candidates are required to complete GACE exams for admissions and recommendation for certification. GACE fees are the responsibility of the student and are payable through the GACE testing website. Please consult the GACE website for current fees.
The Georgia Professional Standards Commission requires that each teacher candidate complete two Ethics assessments with Educational Testing Service (ETS). Each assessment has a $30 fee, payable to ETS (online). The Ethics Entry Exam must be completed during EDUC 1199 (Foundations), and the Ethics Exit Exam must be passed before recommendation for certification.
Junior and Senior undergraduate early childhood candidates and music education candidates will use Advanced Feedback, a video observation platform, to receive feedback from professors and supervisors regarding classroom instruction in the field. This technology will also be used in class as students will collaborate around video to enrich learning. Each year, a fee of $150 will be assessed and is payable upon registration for the following courses EDUC 4360 and EDUC 4490 (subject to change). EDUC 4360 and EDUC 4490 for early childhood majors or MUED 3000 and MUED 4110 for music education majors (subject to change).
During the final semester of the program of study, all teacher candidates must submit an edTPA portfolio and receive a passing score for recommendation for teacher certification. Each submission of the edTPA portfolio has a fee of $300 (subject to change). This fee is assessed by the state-selected vendor, and is payable upon submission of the portfolio.
Admission to Undergraduate Teacher Education
Students intending to complete a Bachelor of Arts program in Education make formal application to the Teacher Education program.
The following are required for entrance into an undergraduate program:
- a passing score on the GACE Program Admissions Assessment or exemption;
- completion of the Georgia Educator Ethics Entry Assessment;
- applied for and/or received a pre-service teaching certificate;
- a GPA of 2.5 or better;
- submission of an application to program;
- obtain liability insurance for duration of time in program;
- completion of a criminal background check showing no criminal record or a discharge from the armed services that would prevent teacher certification;
- verification of residency requirement; and
- approval from the Chair of the Education program.
All students must pass the Program Admissions Test before fall semester junior year in order to apply and receive the state-required pre-service certificate issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Any student who has not passed the Program Admissions Test before fall semester junior year will not be permitted to complete required program field experiences during fall semester.
If the Program Admissions Test has not been passed by spring course registration during the month of October (fall semester junior year), the student will be withdrawn from the Education Department.
Admission decisions may be appealed to the VPAA. After admission to the program, a review occurs each semester for each candidate to determine retention in the Education program.
All Education pre-service candidates have extensive field experiences each semester. Prior to senior year, they are in schools for a minimum of 7 hours each week. At the end of their junior year, rising seniors will complete a 3-5 day post-planning field requirement at their student teaching placement. During senior year for Clinical Practice I & II, which typically takes place in Troup County, candidates are in schools from the first day of pre-planning for the academic school year to the last day of classes at LaGrange College. Successful completion of field experiences is a program requirement.
Any transfer and/or pre-approved transient credits must completely satisfy a program requirement by the course syllabus and appropriate Georgia Professional Standards Commission rules.
Ethos Requirements
All candidates planning to complete approved programs in Education must satisfy the LaGrange College Ethos requirements.
Majors and Minors
Major Minor
B.A. in Elementary Education