Biology Secondary Education (B.S.)

Student Learning Outcomes for Biology Secondary Education major:

Students will be able to:

• Recall, synthesize, and apply material from multiple disciplines including biology, mathematics, chemistry, and/or physics.
• Effectively research, synthesize, and communicate scientific information.
• Design and carry out experiments to address biological questions.
• Critically analyze and formulate logical conclusions from data.
• Effectively demonstrate common laboratory techniques, doing so in accordance with accepted safety standards.
• Plan and design appropriate instructional and assessment activities.
• Create, organize, and maintain an effective classroom environment conducive to learning and development
• Develop and apply instructional methodologies appropriate to the grade and developmental level of students.
• Design and implement successful interventions responsive to the needs of children with special needs.

The Secondary Education major (Biology Education) prepares the student for receipt of Pennsylvania Secondary Education Certification within the framework of the Biology major. This program provides a strong background in the biological sciences, while simultaneously fulfilling the requirements for secondary teaching certification. The required math courses will satisfy the requirement of two math courses for Education certification.

Students interested in this concentration should consult Dr. Peter Licona.

The Biology Program has a prerequisite for entry into BIO 211 and upper-level classes contingent upon an average grade of C- or better in BIO 111 and BIO 112.

PLEASE NOTE: A complete list of the foundational requirements (including a list of approved English Literature and Composition courses) can be found in the EDUCATION MANUAL.

To ensure that all students are prepared to apply for formal acceptance, it is recommended that students take a minimum of 16 credit hours per semester.

FOUNDATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Each teacher candidate is expected to meet the following criteria and to use the guidelines to ensure a successful application for formal acceptance:

• Provide updated clearances prior to starting Education courses including a record of Act 34 (PA Criminal Record), PA Child Abuse, FBI Criminal History Report, and TB test. These clearances must be less than one year old. Clearances are required to be updated every year.
• Declare their Education major by the end of their First Year.
• Complete ED 105 and ED 150/ED 151 with earned grades of C or better- this should be done within the first year. ED 161 should be taken within the first 4 semesters (FY and Second year- but recommend during FY). *Education majors may substitute ED 150 or ED 151 to satisfy their Social Science Core course.
• Meet all requirements for Formal Acceptance as outlined in the Education Manual.
• Submit a Student Life Clearance by March of first year (submit to Education office)

PROGRESSION TO FORMAL ACCEPTANCE:

Participate in a planning meeting with advisor if issues or concerns arise during three GPA checkpoints conducted by the School of Human and Health Professions.

• Checkpoint #1: GPA verification will be completed at the end of the first semester of First year (December of FY). A minimum cumulative 2.80 is recommended. If GPA is below a 2.8, the teacher candidate will work with their education advisor to design a plan to raise the GPA.
• Checkpoint #2: GPA verification will be completed at the end of the second semester of First year (May of FY). A minimum cumulative 2.80 should be achieved. If GPA is below a 2.8, the teacher candidate will work with their education advisor to design a plan to raise the GPA. Students will begin work on a professional electronic portfolio, to be submitted at the time of application for formal acceptance.
• Prior to Checkpoint #3- Students should have completed or be in the process of completing 27 credit hours. This will ensure that requirements for Formal Acceptance can be achieved.
• Checkpoint #3: GPA verification will be completed at the end of the first semester of Second year (December of Second year). A minimum 2.80 needs to be maintained with the goal of a minimum 3.0 being achieved by end spring of Second year.

FORMAL ACCEPTANCE needed for 300-Level ED courses:

• Complete two Mathematics (MA) courses and two English (EN) courses (one writing composition and one literature).
• Complete 54 credit hours with a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher.
• Successfully complete at least three courses with ED prefixes.
• Receive a satisfactory on student life clearance (re-check of previous clearance)
• Provide a record of ACT 34 (PA Criminal Record), PA Child Abuse, ACT 24, FBI Criminal History Report, and a TB medical clearance. These clearances must be less than one year old.
• Receive passing scores on the Basic Skills Assessment (PAPA or Praxis Core) or the SAT/ACT equivalent score as mandated by PDE and submit a copy of your official score report (Basic Skills exam) to the Education office.
• Provide a completed electronic portfolio for review demonstrating interest and/or experience in professional education and progress toward meeting the required competencies as defined by Danielson’s Domains.

Students will begin creating an electronic portfolio for review demonstrating interest and/or experience in professional education and progress toward meeting required competencies. Final portfolio will be submitted as part of the Formal Acceptance application. Students typically apply for Formal Acceptance in the spring of the second year.

Approval of the Education Program and any other appropriate major program is necessary for the application to be successful. Students are evaluated at the conclusion of each semester in accordance with the Education Program Teacher Dispositions/Foundational Competencies Policy. Students may be advised or required to withdraw from a program at any time the Education advisors determines such action to be appropriate.

Basic Skills Assessment Policy

General Requirements

• 22 Pa. Code § 49.18 (Assessment) requires an assessment of basic skills, professional knowledge and practice and subject matter knowledge. The basic skills assessment is comprised of three individual tests covering reading, writing and mathematics.
• Candidates may combine individual tests from different vendors to meet the basic skills requirement.
• Basic Skills Assessments in Reading, Writing and Mathematics may be met using SAT, ACT, PAPA and/or Praxis Core scores or a combination thereof. (Students must pass the basic skills in order to receive formal acceptance into the program)
• Candidates electing to use tests from different vendors cannot use a composite score. They must meet the qualifying score for each individual test.

Approved Basic Skills Assessments

The Pre-service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) modules in Reading, Writing and Mathematics.

• Visit www.pa.nesinc.com to register for PAPA tests.
• Reading test 8001, Mathematics test 8002, Writing test 8003
• Scores must be electronically submitted directly to PDE (Pennsylvania Dept. of Education) and Elizabethtown College, from the test vendor. In addition, candidates must submit an official copy of the score report to the Education Program office.
• A minimum score of 220 is required on the Reading module, 193 on the Mathematics module and 220 on the writing module. A composite scoring option is available.

The Core Academic Skills for Educators (CORE) modules in Reading, Writing and Mathematics.

• Visit www.ets.org/praxis/pa to register for CORE tests
• Reading test 5713, Mathematics test 5733, Writing test 5723
• Scores must be electronically submitted directly to PDE (Pennsylvania Dept. of Education) and Elizabethtown College, from the test vendor. In addition, candidates must submit an official copy of the score report to the Education Program office.
• A minimum score of 156 (Reading), 162 (Writing), and 142 (Mathematics) is required. A composite scoring option is available.

The Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT)

• The Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) must achieve a minimum score of 27 (Reading), 26 (Mathematics), and 28 (Writing and Language). It is recommended that intended Education majors submit their SAT scores to Elizabethtown College. There is no composite scoring option. SAT scores may be combined with other tests.
• Submit official test scores in the vendor-sealed envelope and a TIMS application cover sheet to the Pennsylvania Program of Education, Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality. Scores may also be verified from an official score report by (1) the Pennsylvania Approved Preparation Programs through TIMS; or (2) sent directly from the high school to the Bureau.

The American College Test (ACT) Plus Writing. There is no composite scoring option.

• The American College Test (ACT) Plus Writing must achieve a minimum score of 22 (Reading), 8 (Writing), 21 (Mathematics). *Candidates that opt out of the Writing portion of the ACT will be required to take the writing portion of the Basic Skills Assessment.
• Submit official test scores and a TIMS application cover sheet to the Pennsylvania Program of Education, Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality, in an envelope sealed by the test vendor. Scores may also be verified from an official score report by (1) the Pennsylvania Approved Preparation Programs through TIMS; or (2) sent directly from the high school to the Bureau.

Older basic skills tests, such as the PPST Reading, Writing, and Mathematics, are accepted if taken at the time they were required in Pennsylvania. Refer to the testing CSPG 21 for more information about replaced tests.

Basic Skills Assessment Exceptions

• The basic skills assessment requirement is waived for all certificates as of November 1, 2014 if the applicant completed an approved post-baccalaureate certification program.
• Experienced Out-of-State Instructional Certificate Exception: As of July 1, 2011, applicants submitting a copy of a current and valid out-of-state instructional certificate that is comparable in grade and content area, plus verification of two years of full-time teaching experience, are not required to take the basic skills assessments.
• Vocational Certificate Exception: Effective July 1, 2014, candidates in post-baccalaureate vocational instructional programs are not required to take the basic skills assessment in reading and writing. The basic skills mathematics assessment is still required for vocational level II certification.
• PDE implemented an alternative means to achieve exemption from the Mathematics and Reading and Writing Basic Skills assessment testing requirements. 
  • The Program will accept a grade of B (3.0) or higher in specific college level math courses. Program providers must identify the course(s) that best align with the competencies and best meet the PA Academic Standards.
  • The program provider can use the courses within their programs that satisfy the required six credits of mathematics for program entry as the coursework for meeting the basic skills assessment if the competencies are included in the coursework.
  • If a student has not met the exemption for the math portion of the basic skills assessment based on their ACT/SAT scores, they should consider the below courses on their schedule as these will meet the criteria put into place by PDE to be exempt from the mathematics portion of the Basic Skills Assessment. These are the only two approved courses that may be taken to meet the exemption. Students must achieve a grade of B or above in each course.
    • ​MA 205: Mathematics for the Elementary Teacher
    • MA 251: Probability and Statistics
  • The Program will accept a grade of B (3.0) or higher in specific college level English courses. Program providers must identify the course(s) that best align with the competencies and best meet the PA Academic Standards.
  • The program provider can use the courses within their programs that satisfy the required six credits of mathematics for program entry as the coursework for meeting the basic skills assessment if the competencies are included in the coursework.
  • If a student has not met the exemption for the reading and writing portion of the basic skills assessment based on their ACT/SAT scores, they should consider the below courses on their schedule as these will meet the criteria put into place by PDE to be exempt from the mathematics portion of the Basic Skills Assessment. These are the only two approved courses that may be taken to meet the exemption. Students must achieve a grade of B or above in each course.
    • FYS: First Year Seminar
    • EN 100: Writing and Language

Exit from the Programs

Students seeking award of the degree in the major only (without certification) must:

• Receive approval of the Education Program and any other appropriate Program(s) for completion of their degree plan.
• Satisfy all requirements of the major, except the professional internship and Pennsylvania certification test results, with a cumulative/major grade point average of 2.00 or higher.
• Complete an alternative internship experience of at least six credits, as approved by the Education Program.

Students seeking award of the degree in their major and certification must:

• Satisfy all requirements of the major with the cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher.
• Earn a grade of Pass in the professional internship and senior seminar.
• Earn passing scores on the Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT) and/or Praxis II series as it applies to your certification program. Students completing Early Childhood (PK-4) must take the PECT exam series, Elementary Middle Level (4-8) certifications take the Praxis series in core assessment and subject concentration, Secondary certification (7-12) take Praxis II in a content area and PK-12 (Music Education, Modern Languages – Spanish Education) must successfully complete the appropriate Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge Test and Praxis II in a content area. Graduate candidates in Special Education (PK-12) must take the PECT exam series in special education.

For a comprehensive listing of testing requirements in Pennsylvania, please see http://www.education.pa.gov/Teachers%20-%20Administrators/Certifications/Pages/Certification-Testing.aspx#tab-1.

Arrange for Basic Skills, PECT, and/or Praxis test scores to be sent to the Education Program showing passing scores on all required tests.

Complete two Mathematics (MA) courses and two English (EN) courses, one English Literature and one English Writing.

Formally and publicly present an electronic portfolio summarizing activities and experiences in professional education and demonstrating satisfaction of all required competencies.

Receive approval of the Education Program and appropriate major Program(s).

Submit the application for Pennsylvania certification to the Education Program.