School of Education

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Administration of the School of Education:

Dean of the School of Education: Diana Sukhram
Assistant Dean for Data Management and Assessment: Joshua Fyman
Director of Field Experiences: Vincent Juba
Director of Academic Services and Outreach: Rheba Jules
Childhood Education and Literacy Department: Blidi Stemn, Chair
Exceptional Education and Learning Department: Julio Gonzalez-Martinez,Chair
Adolescence Education Department: Xavier Marechaux, Chair

The School of Education at SUNY Old Westbury is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) since January 2022.  Graduates from an accredited teacher preparation program are in high demand because they are well- prepared for initial licensing and advanced board certification. Many states have reciprocity agreements based on graduation from accredited schools, so graduates of accredited schools will generally find it easier to apply for a teaching license should they move out of state.

The mission of the School of Education is to prepare teacher candidates to be literate and progressive citizens who value human diversity and exemplify an appreciation for the interdisciplinary nature of knowledge and for learning as a lifelong process. The school seeks to develop teachers with the professional and personal characteristics and dispositions to facilitate the holistic development of all learners in the context of contemporary society. Together with partners across the College and in the schools, faculty of the School of Education have developed a Conceptual Framework to implement the above mission and vision. The Conceptual Framework rests on three principles: a commitment to preparing teachers as professionals; a belief in the interdisciplinary nature of knowledge and practice; and an active engagement in promoting a just world. Teacher candidates explore these principles through course work and guided practice.

The School of Education comprises three departments: Childhood Education and Literacy, Exceptional Education and Learning and Adolescence Education. We offer programs leading to initial teacher certification in the following areas:

• Childhood Education - grades 1-6
• Childhood Education - grades 1-6 extended to Bilingual Education
• Special Education with Childhood Education - grades 1-6
• Special Education extended to Bilingual Education - grades 1-6
• Adolescence Education - grades 7-12 - in Biology or Chemistry or Mathematics or Social Studies

These programs provide professional courses and extensive field experience, including student teaching. Each course is planned to assist students in acquiring the knowledge and skills that will help them transmit the requisites of the New York State Learning Standards. All courses are designed so that students achieve competencies that have been identified by local school district personnel and prescribed by the New York State Education Department. The School of Education has adopted a series of requirements for candidates at various transition points as they are admitted to and progress through the program. Further details about these requirements may be found in this catalog and in publications available from the School of Education.

School of Education Admission Requirements

Important notice: The New York State Education Department and the State University of New York periodically revise graduation and/or certification requirements for teachers. When changes occur, students are bound by the new requirements instead of those listed in this catalog.

* All students will be required to pay a mandatory data collection fee of $133.00 upon your entry into the School of Education.

Evening Students

Every effort is made to offer some required courses in the evening. While students can expect to complete some of their required Education courses in the evening, it is important for all students to realize that some courses and field experiences can only be offered during the day. Some courses will be taught completely off campus within school districts. Some students may find that they will need more than four years to complete all requirements

Minimal Grade Requirements:

Grades of D or lower are not accepted for any courses in the School of Education.

Credit/No Credit Option:

The Credit/No Credit option is not permitted for any Liberal Education Curriculum, concentration courses or program requirements.

Program Requirements:

All candidates must maintain a 3.0 in their overall GPA, Major, and Concentration, if applicable. All candidates must complete a series of NYS mandated workshops for NYS certification and SUNY graduation. All candidates must complete an exit survey. Student teaching may not be repeated.

Criminal Background Check

State University of New York (SUNY) policy prohibits SUNY Old Westbury from inquiring into an applicant’s prior criminal history on their admissions applications. After acceptance, the College shall inquire if the student previously has been convicted of a felony if such individual seeks campus housing or participation in clinical or field experiences, internships or study abroad programs. The information required to be disclosed under SUNY policy regarding such felony convictions shall be reviewed by a standing campus committee.

Advisement

• A full-time Director of Academic Services and Outreach acts as advisor to all new and transfer students. Appointments may be made by contacting the School of Education secretary in Room 1046 or by calling (516) 876-3275 or 876-3982.
• Education majors are assigned a faculty advisor after acceptance to the School of Education.
• Students must meet with their assigned advisor each semester.
• Adolescence Education majors obtain advisement from their disciplinary coordinators.
• Majors in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Social Studies also obtain formal advising within their respective content area department.

New York State Teacher Certification Examinations

Graduates requesting initial teacher certifications must pass the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations(NYSTCE).

• Educating All Students Test (EAS), a test of the professional and pedagogical knowledge and skills necessary to teach all students effectively in New York State public schools, required for all majors.
• Content Specialty Test (CST), a test of the content knowledge and skills necessary to teach effectively in New York State public schools, required of all majors.
  • Childhood Ed Majors: Multi-Subject CST (1-6)
  • Special Ed Majors: Multi-Subject CST (1-6) & Students with Disabilities CST
  • Adolescence Ed Majors: Subject (specific) CST
• Teacher performance Assessment (edTPA) in the area of specialization, required of all majors.
• Bilingual Education Assessment (BEA), required of all Childhood and Special Education majors pursuing the Bilingual Extension.

Required Workshops, Training and Fingerprint Clearance Workshops:

All applicants for certification must complete the following workshops:

• Child Abuse Prevention Workshop
• SAVE - School Violence Prevention Workshop
• Fire & Arson
• Substance Abuse
• Highway and School Safety
• Prevention of Child Abduction
• Training in the Needs of Children with Autism (SWD Certification Only)
• DASA - Dignity for All Students Workshop

Fingerprinting:

Please note: The program you enrolled in may require an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience requirement. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure for certain professions. If you have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office. New York State Department of Education fingerprint clearance is required for completing any observation or student teaching course and New York State Teacher certification. A social security number is required. Instructions for fingerprinting can be found on Blackboard in the SOE-DIR-FE: School of Education - Field Experience course shell in the certification handbook.

Upon passing the NYSTCE exams (EAS, CSTs, edTPA), students can expect their certification to be posted shortly thereafter on the TEACH website (http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/teach/ ). Students are encouraged to complete this process as soon as possible after completing requirements. If New York State changes requirements for teachers before students are certified, students may be held to the new requirements even though they may have graduated. Please contact the Director of Field Experience and Certification Office with any questions related to the information provided above.

Liberal Education Curriculum Requirements

All students must fulfill the College’s Liberal Education Curriculum requirements as stated in the Liberal Education Curriculum Bulletin. In addition, all Childhood and Exceptional Education majors must complete:

• An upper division literature course in English to satisfy the “Humanities” requirement
• Two natural science courses with lab
• Two mathematics courses, both of which must satisfy the College’s mathematics proficiency requirement
• Two semesters of the same foreign language (American Sign Language is acceptable)

Disciplinary Concentrations

All Childhood and Exceptional Education majors must complete a minimum of 8 courses in a disciplinary concentration in the liberal arts and sciences and must maintain a 3.0 GPA.

Programs

• Adolescence Education - Social Studies, B.A.
• Five-Year B.A./M.A.T. Degree in Adolescence Education: Social Studies

• Disciplinary Concentrations for Education Majors

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