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Hardin-Simmons University 2018-2019
long semester if the student fails to meet or maintain program
benchmarks. A student on probationary status who fails to
meet or maintain all program benchmarks by the end of the
probationary period will be dismissed from the teacher
education program by the Teacher Education Council.
Students placed on probationary status or dismissed from the
teacher education program will be notified in writing. The
student may appeal a dismissal decision by the Teacher
Education Council to the University Provost. That decision will
be final. Once admitted in teacher preparation, a student can
only be on probation one time. A second failure to meet
benchmarks at any point in the program will result in
permanent dismissal from HSU teacher prep.
If a member of the Hardin-Simmons University faculty
believes that a student exhibits behavior or characteristics
detrimental or not conducive to performance as a teacher, the
professor shall raise the matter with the chairperson of the
Irvin School of Education. The Associate Dean shall then
inform the student of the behavior or characteristics the faculty
member believes is detrimental or not conducive to
performance as a teacher. The chairperson of the Irvin School
of Education shall then send a written statement to the student
and the Teacher Education Council delineating the behavior
or characteristics detrimental or not conducive to performance
as a teacher. The Teacher Education Council shall review the
documentation and other pertinent information and determine
an appropriate action pertaining to approval or non-approval
of the student into the Hardin-Simmons University teacher
education program. If previously admitted, a student’s
retention, conditional retention, or dismissal from the teacher
education program will be determined by the Teacher
Education Council. A record of the Teacher Education
Council’s decision shall be retained in the student’s education
program file and written notification of the action taken shall
be sent to the Associate Dean of the Irvin School of Education,
the student, and his/her academic advisor. The student may
appeal the action of the Teacher Education Council pertaining
to admission, retention, conditional retention, or dismissal to
the University Provost/Chief Academic Officer.
Any conduct or deportment not in harmony with that
encouraged by University standards (see University Student
Handbook) may constitute grounds for dismissal from the
teacher education program. Additionally, the Texas Education
Agency (TEA)/State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC)
is responsible for disciplining educators, applicants for
certification, and examinees taking certification exams, for
conduct indicating unsuitability to instruct as well as unethical
conduct. HSU and the SBEC will enforce the Educator’s Code
of Ethics. (Code may be reviewed at
www.sbec.state.tx.usor
a copy will be provided upon request in the dean’s office.)
Field-Based Education -
The HSU Teacher Education
Program is required by Texas Administrative Code to include
field-basing within the teacher preparation program. Those
courses that have a field-based component are identified
within the course description. Field-based means that during
the semester a portion of the course will involve interacting
with public school students and teachers at a public school
site. Students are required to make their own transportation
arrangements to and from the public school site.
Student Teaching -
The final dates for making application for
student teaching are October 1 and March 1, for the spring
and fall semesters, respectively.
Prior to beginning student teaching, the student must meet
grade point average requirements for (1) area(s) of
preparation/teaching field(s), (2) overall, and (3) pedagogy
and professional development. The student must not have a
grade below C in his/her teaching field and pedagogy and
professional development, including PSYC 3333. If, when the
dean of the Irvin School of Education reviews the final
transcript immediately prior to the student teaching semester,
there is a “D” in a teaching field(s) or professional
development course, the dean, in consultation with the
Teacher Education Council, will determine the student
teaching status of the student. The dean will provide the
student, in writing, the determination of the Council.
The maximum course load a student may carry during the
semester of student teaching is 12 semester credits.
Student teaching will involve a semester, all-day experience.
The Student Teaching Handbook provides the guidelines and
is the official syllabus for student teaching. Students MAY
NOT return to campus during the teaching day to take
classes, attend meetings, rehearsals, etc. Students should
plan with their advisors so that classes will not conflict with the
all-day student teaching assignment.
If a student does not complete student teaching with a grade
of Satisfactory during his or her initial enrollment and does
wish to repeat the student teaching course(s), the student
must petition the Teacher Education Council in writing for the
right to repeat the student teaching course(s). The student
should explain how he/she intends to eliminate any
deficiencies which prevented the student from initially earning
the grade of Satisfactory. The Teacher Education Council
shall meet with the student and may consider written or oral
information provided by individuals who previously supervised
the student or have knowledge regarding the student’s
unsatisfactory student teaching performance. The Teacher
Education Council may grant or deny permission for the
student to repeat student teaching. A record of the Council’s
decision shall be provided in writing to the student. The
student may appeal the decision of the Teacher Education
Council to the University Provost. Absent extremely unusual
and extenuating circumstances, no student shall be allowed
to enroll in student teaching through Hardin-Simmons
University a third time.
Certification –
Notwithstanding the fact that a candidate has
been retained in teacher education to the point of completing
all academic requirements, University recommendation for
certification of the candidate is contingent upon evidence of
having fulfilled all requirements and standards of the teacher
education program of the university. This is determined by a
final review of the candidate’s complete record as concerns:
(1) academic record, (2) student teaching, (3) professional
ethics, (4) passing the state mandated credentialing exams,
and (5) completed fingerprinting.
No student is eligible to be recommended for certification if
he/she has a grade of D or unsatisfactory in his/her area (s)
of preparation/teaching field (s), PSYC 3333, or in any course
in pedagogy and professional development.
Certification
and/or eligibility for certification are NOT requirements
for graduation.
Application for certification must be made through the office
of the University Certification Officer, Irvin School of
Education. It is the responsibility of each student to file a
request for a teaching certificate. All certification requirements
are subject to TEA/SBEC standards, rules, and regulations.
To be approved for a standard renewable certificate in the
state of Texas, students shall be required to achieve a
satisfactory level of performance on one or more
examinations in the areas of preparation. The content to be
tested and the criteria for mastery shall be prescribed for each
certification area by the TEA/SBEC. Those who pass the
required credentialing exams, have successfully completed
the HSU teacher preparation program, and have graduated
will be eligible to be recommended to the TEA/SBEC for
teacher certification.
The Texas Commissioner of Education has the authority to
suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue a teaching certificate for a