Early Childhood Education (B.S.)

Student Learning Outcomes for Early Childhood Education:

Students will be able to:

• Plan, design, and implement research-based instructional and assessment practices appropriate for children between preschool and fourth grade.
• Develop and apply instructional methodologies, including the use of technology, appropriate for children between preschool and fourth grade.
• Critically apply content knowledge and skills to facilitate student learning appropriate for children between 0 and 9 years.
• Create, organize, and maintain an effective and safe classroom environment conducive to learning and development.
• Design and implement successful interventions responsive to the needs of learners in pre-kindergarten through grade four.
• Exhibit the qualities that characterize a professional individual, including professional, ethical, and legal responsibilities of a certified teacher.
• Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to continued professional development and service.

Candidates for certification in Early Childhood Education must complete a major that consists of two key elements. The first element emphasizes critical concepts and ideas important to one’s general education and academic preparation for teaching. The second emphasis stresses a professional core organized in five areas: 1) Early Childhood Development, Cognition and Learning, 2) Subject Matter Pedagogy Content (Pre-kindergarten through Fourth), 3) Assessment, 4) Family and Community Partnerships, and 5) Professionalism. Content requirements are based on national standards for early childhood education as well as Pennsylvania’s curriculum standards. 

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.

Progression to Program Completion and Teacher Certification 

Students in the Education Department must follow a progression through the teacher preparation program to complete a degree and apply for Pennsylvania Teaching Certification. Candidates typically apply for Provisional Acceptance at the conclusion of year one and Formal Acceptance at the conclusion of year two. It is recommended that Education majors take a minimum of 16 credits per semester. In addition, students will need to maintain a satisfactory rating in Professional Review throughout their candidacy.  

 

Phases of Progression:  

 

Phase One: In year one, teacher preparation candidates are in the pre-service phase. Courses and field experiences are integrated to offer pedagogical and practical knowledge in the professional field of teaching. During this time, students are required to earn a grade of C or above in all required courses for their major area. This expectation is in preparation for Provisional Acceptance to the program. Candidates applying for Provisional Acceptance at the conclusion of year one must earn an overall GPA of 2.80. 

 

Phase Two: In year two, teacher preparation candidates continue with courses and field experiences integrated to offer pedagogical and practical knowledge in the professional field of teaching. During this time, students are required to earn a grade of C or above in all required courses for their major area. This expectation is in preparation for Formal Acceptance to the program. Candidates applying for Formal Acceptance at the end of year two must earn an overall GPA of 3.00.  

 

Professional Phase: In years three and four, teacher preparation candidates are required to demonstrate their knowledge of the teaching profession both in and out of the classroom. Methods and Professional Internship semesters pair rigorous coursework with part- and full-time field experience requirements. During this time, students are required to earn a grade of B or above in all required courses for their major area. This expectation is in preparation for application to Pennsylvania Department of Education for Instructional I certification necessary to teach in the state. As required by PDE, candidates applying for certification at the end of the preparation program must demonstrate an overall GPA of 3.00. 

 

Academic Requirements: 

• Candidates will achieve grades of C or better in all 100 and 200 level Education courses.  
• Candidates will achieve grades of B or better in all 300 and 400 level Education courses.  
• Candidates not meeting grade requirements will be referred to the Professional Review Panel for possible intervention.  
• Intervention may include action planning, tutoring, academic counseling, or course repetition.  

 

Provisional Acceptance:  

• Complete 27 credit hours with a cumulative grade point average of 2.80 or higher.  
• Verify current clearances on file in Education Office by August 1 of each year. Clearance Information  
• Declare Education as major 
• Submit Student Life Clearance 
• Complete ED 105 and ED 150/ED 151 in first year with earned grades of C or better 
• Complete ED 161 in first or second year with earned grade of C or better 
• Demonstrate satisfactory ratings in Professional Review 
• Apply for Provisional Acceptance to the Education Department 

*Provisional Acceptance is required to enroll in 200-level ED courses.  

 

Formal Acceptance:  

• Basic Skills requirements for PDE are met 
• Complete two Mathematics (MA) courses and two English (EN) courses (one writing composition and one literature) 
• Complete 54 hours with a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher 
• Successfully complete at least three courses with ED prefixes 
• Verify current clearances on file in Education Office by August 1 of each year. Clearance Information 
• Provide an electronic portfolio for review demonstrating interest and/or experience in professional education and progress toward meeting the professional domains as defined by Danielson (see pages 16-18).  

• One picture of yourself 
• Updated Resume 
• Educational Philosophy 
• Dates of your clearances and TB test 
• Description of your experience working with children 
• Writing Sample  
• Any additional items to support of your application 

• Receive approval of the Education Department and any other appropriate major Department.  
• Demonstrate satisfactory ratings in Professional Review 
• Apply for Formal Acceptance to the Education Department 

*Formal Acceptance is required to enroll in 300-level ED courses. 

 

Field Experiences: 

Field experiences are a critical facet of teacher preparation, both for gaining practical knowledge in the professional field and for obtaining teacher certification in Pennsylvania. Many Education (ED) and Special Education (SED) courses require field placement. The Education Department Field Experience Manual is linked here, and includes details, policies, assessments, and contacts for all stages of field placement at Elizabethtown College. Please note the following:  

• At Elizabethtown College, there are required courses with placements in each year of teacher preparation.  
• The Office of Field Placement utilizes a reasonable radius (approximately 20 miles/40 minutes commuting time) from campus to assign placement schools.   
• Courses with placements have academic and grading requirements based on the successful completion of each field experience.  
• Candidates in the third and fourth year of teacher preparation are required to arrange transportation to and from assigned placements. 
• Candidates in placement are required to follow all policies, guidelines, rules, and expectations for the school district or entity of placement. Failure to follow individual district expectations may result in removal from placement, failure of the associated course, and/or expulsion from the Education Department.  

 

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 Praxis exam for Special Education Core Subjects.