Elementary Education, B.A.E.

Requirements for Program

The Elementary Education Program is aligned with the Kentucky Teacher Preparation Standards and national accreditation standards for teacher education programs.

The model for the elementary education program relies on a collaborative relationship between school and university personnel focused on ensuring a high level of individual attention to the mentoring of teacher candidates. Work in elementary education must be guided by three principles: first, a commitment to continuous improvement based on critical reflection of self and multiple perspectives, evaluation, and on-going research; second, a commitment to collaboration as a source of professional growth; and third, a commitment to equity to promote asset-based approaches by drawing on the experiential, cultural, and linguistics strengths of students.

To receive the B.A. degree in Elementary Education, students must: (1) complete the UK Core requirements; (2) complete the program related studies courses; and (3) complete the professional education component.

Continuous Assessment

Admission to the program is based on a selective admission process that generally occurs after students have completed at least 45 hours of university course work. All students are expected to meet the standards and rules for Admission, Retention and Completion from the Teacher Education Program as set forth in the section “Admission, Retention and Completion from Teacher Education Programs ”. Students may be placed on action plans which include a program warning, probation, or exclusion if requirements or dispositions are not met at any point in the program.
Assessment at the Point of Entry to the Elementary Education Program. At the point of entry students must present an admission portfolio which includes the following: a) résumé highlighting GPA, honors and activities while at UK, leadership and committee positions, and at least 30 hours of experiences with children; b) detailed description of a lesson (grade level and subject area will be assigned), with particular attention to how the content will be accessible, relevant, and engaging for all students. The applicant portfolio, program requirements, and the successful completion of an interview will inform student admissions.
Assessment During the Professional Introduction Semester. Assessment of progress in the Professional Introduction semester includes assessment strategies specific to individual courses including: a) philosophy of education statement, and b) classroom management plan (both will be modified as candidates move through the program). Throughout the program, students, faculty, supervisors, and cooperating teachers monitor professional dispositions.
Assessment of Progress in the Professional Block. This includes assessment strategies specific to individual methods courses that confirm content as well as pedagogical knowledge. It also includes some additional assessments. At the beginning of the semester, students’ placement needs are discussed. Students are observed throughout the semester by their supervisor and are assessed using an observation form which directly reflects the Kentucky Teacher Preparation Standards. The faculty also reviews students’ Professional Growth Plans (PGPs). Each student develops a PGP in collaboration with UK faculty and school-based cooperating teacher. The PGP includes reflections on the student’s strengths and areas that need further work. This document serves as a planning tool for student teaching. Students also complete Unit Wide Assessments that demonstrate their abilities to successfully design, diagnose, and deliver instruction that is research and data-based.
Assessment During the Student Teaching Semester. Students are assessed in a variety of ways during this semester. Student assignments include: observations reports, cooperating teachers and university supervisors, planning and implementing two instructional units, video observation reports, MAP Data Analysis, daily and formal lesson plans, a PGP (professional growth plan), a final management plan, a leadership project, participation in weekly seminars, and a final digital portfolio.

Statement on Student Teaching

Students in the elementary education program complete 16-18 weeks of student teaching, concentrating on the ages in grades P-5. (See the section on “Student Teaching” above for additional information on student teaching

UK Core Requirements

See the UK Core section of this Bulletin for the complete UK Core requirements . The courses listed below are (a) recommended by the college, or (b) required courses that also fulfill UK Core areas. Students should work closely with their advisor to complete the UK Core requirements.

UK Core hours: 30-31

Graduation Composition and Communication Requirement (GCCR)

EPE 301 - EDUCATION IN AMERICAN CULTURE Credit(s): 3

Graduation Composition and Communication Requirement hours (GCCR): 3

Program Related Studies: 47

Students must earn a C or better in all of the following courses and/or program substitutions.

†Course not recommended for ELED majors.

A-E 200 - WORKSHOP IN DESIGN EDUCATION FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS Credit(s): 3
MUS 266 - TEACHING MUSIC IN ELEMENTARY GRADES Credit(s): 3
MA 201 - MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS Credit(s): 3
MA 202 - MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS Credit(s): 3
PSY 100 - INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY Credit(s): 4
EES 160 - GEOLOGY FOR TEACHERS Credit(s): 3
PHY 160 - PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY FOR TEACHERS Credit(s): 3
BIO 103 - BASIC IDEAS OF BIOLOGY Credit(s): 3
BIO 111 - GENERAL BIOLOGY LABORATORY Credit(s): 1
HIS 104 - A HISTORY OF EUROPE THROUGH THE MID-SEVENTEENTH CENTURY Credit(s): 3 AND
HIS 105 - A HISTORY OF EUROPE FROM THE MID-SEVENTEENTH CENTURY TO THE PRESENT Credit(s): 3
OR
HIS 108 - HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES THROUGH 1876 Credit(s): 3 AND
HIS 109 - HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES SINCE 1877 Credit(s): 3
LIS 510 - CHILDRENS LITERATURE AND RELATED MATERIALS Credit(s): 3
Free Elective Credit(s): 3

Choose one of the following courses:

APP 200 - INTRODUCTION TO APPALACHIAN STUDIES Credit(s): 3
HIS 112 - THE MAKING OF MODERN KENTUCKY Credit(s): 3
HIS 240 - HISTORY OF KENTUCKY Credit(s): 3
HIS 469 - THE KENTUCKY AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE Credit(s): 3
HIS 580 - HISTORY OF APPALACHIA Credit(s): 3

Select two courses from the following:

EDC 432G - PHONICS AND READING FOUNDATIONS Credit(s): 3
ENG 207 - BEGINNING WORKSHOP IN CREATIVE WRITING(SUBTITLE REQUIRED) Credit(s): 3
ENG 230 - INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE: (SUBTITLE REQUIRED) Credit(s): 3
ENG 260 - INTRODUCTION TO BLACK WRITERS Credit(s): 3
ENG 280 - INTRODUCTION TO FILM Credit(s): 3
ENG 290 - INTRODUCTION TO WOMEN’S LITERATURE Credit(s): 3
MA 241 - GEOMETRY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS Credit(s): 3
MA 308 - MATHEMATICAL PROBLEM SOLVING FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS Credit(s): 3
WRD 205 - WRITING AND RHETORIC (SUBTITLE REQUIRED) Credit(s): 3

Free Elective

Free Elective Credit(s): 3

Professional Education Requirements : 50

*These courses require admission to the Teacher Education Program.

EDP 202 - HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING Credit(s): 3
EPE 301 - EDUCATION IN AMERICAN CULTURE Credit(s): 3
KHP 380 - HEALTH EDUCATION IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Credit(s): 2 *
KHP 382 - PHYSICAL EDUCATION FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS Credit(s): 2 *
EDC 329 - TEACHING READING AND LANGUAGE ARTS Credit(s): 3 *
EDP 303 - TEACH EXCEP LEARN IN ELEM Credit(s): 3 *
EDC 323 - INCLUSIVE CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT Credit(s): 3 *
EDC 322 - ELEMENTARY PRACTICUM Credit(s): 1 - 3 (Variable) *
EDC 326 - TEACHING SOCIAL STUDIES IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Credit(s): 3 *
SEM 328 - TEACHING SCIENCE IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Credit(s): 3 *
SEM 337 - TEACHING MATHEMATICS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Credit(s): 3 *
EDC 339 - DESIGNING A READING AND LANGUAGE ARTS PROGRAM FOR THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Credit(s): 3 *
EDC 317 - INTRODUCTION TO INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA Credit(s): 1 *
EDC 433 - STUDENT TEACHING IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Credit(s): 3 - 12 (Variable) *
EDS 547 - COLLABORATION AND INCLUSION IN SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY SETTINGS Credit(s): 3

Electives

Electives for 120 total credit hours chosen with the help of an advisor.

Elementary Education, B.A.E.

Requirements for Program

Continuous Assessment

Statement on Student Teaching

UK Core Requirements

I. Intellectual Inquiry in Arts and Creativity

II. Intellectual Inquiry in the Humanities

III. Intellectual Inquiry in the Social Sciences

IV. Intellectual Inquiry in the Natural, Physical, and Mathematical Sciences

V. Composition and Communication I

VI. Composition and Communication II

VII. Quantitative Foundations

VIII. Statistical Inferential Reasoning

IX. Community, Culture and Citizenship in the USA

X. Global Dynamics