Teacher Education Services
Teacher Education Program
Retention in the Undergraduate
Students must maintain the 2.50 grade point averages required at admission to TEP throughout their professional studies program. Students who drop below any one of the minimum grade point averages (general studies, teaching field or professional studies) will be notified and removed from the Teacher Education Program until the requisite grade point average(s) is restored. Effective Fall 2003, all students in Early Childhood, Elementary, Early Childhood/Elementary or Elementary/ Collaborative, on a 2003/2004 checksheet, will be required to have a minimum grade of "C" in all general studies course for retention in the Teacher Education Program. Students removed from the Teacher Education Program will be readmitted once the course(s) is/are retaken and a grade of "C" is earned. Readmission may be possible only if remaining courses (taken to increase gpa) do not require TEP admission.
Any general studies course originally taken at Montevallo may be repeated to improve the gpa, but must be retaken at Montevallo. Students who make lower than a “C” in a teaching field or professional studies course and still has the gpa to remain in TEP, may repeat the course once and must repeat the course at the University. Failure to make a “C” or better on the second attempt will result in permanent termination from the TEP. The credit hours and grades for each occurrence of the course are used in determining the grade-point average (GPA).
A withdrawal from a professional studies course or courses after midterm, but by the established deadline for withdrawals, counts as one of the two attempts to complete the course or courses (unless the basis for approval is doctor-verified illness or emergency).
NOTE: Students who are terminated from the Teacher Education Program are not eligible for admission to the Alternative Fifth Year Program.
Students terminated from the Teacher Education Program are not eligible for an evaluation for “certification only.”
Teacher Education Program Procedures for Academic Dishonesty and Unethical Conduct
Unethical Conduct
The Teacher Education Program in the College
of Education has embraced a clearly defined set
of professional dispositions and the NEA Code of
Ethics for the Education Profession as a guide
for professional behavior for candidates and
faculty. The
importance of the ethical conduct of candidates
is supremely important in all on- and off-campus
activities.
- Physical
or emotional endangerment of a child or
individuals involved in a field placement
- Amorous
relationship with a student, other school
personnel, or both in a field placement
- Use
of drugs or alcohol at a field placement
(including being under the influence)
- Vandalism of school property or any other criminal activity during a field placement
Any
offenses of this nature can result in immediate
expulsion from the Teacher Education Program at
the University of Montevallo.
Academic
Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty is interpreted to
include cheating in any form, including but not
limited to plagiarism, copying work, submitting
someone else’s work, and dishonesty.
The first instance of academic dishonesty will
result in an incident report being filed by the
instructor of the course and an automatic grade
of zero on the assignment.
The candidate will be required to meet
jointly with the instructor, the appropriate
department chair, the Director of Teacher
Education Services, and the Dean of the College
of Education for a review of consequences should
a second instance of academic dishonesty occur.
At that time the candidate will be asked
to sign a form stating that he or she
understands that a second incident will result
in an incident report being filed and immediate
and permanent expulsion from the Teacher
Education Program.
In cases of
other behaviors judged to be a potentially
serious impairment to the candidate’s success
as an intern or teacher, an incident report may
be filed. The incident report may be filed for concerns such as failure
to comply with school or University policies,
unsuitable/unprofessional appearance, and other
ethics-related professional expectations, e.g.,
failure or late arrival for field placements,
early departure from field placements,
insubordination, lack of preparation, disruptive
behavior, or other incidents deemed pertinent by
a faculty member.
See Appendix
B of the Teacher
Education Program Handbook.
Students
are allowed the appeal of any incident report.
If expulsion from the Teacher Education
Program is in order and the expulsion withstands
the test of due process, a final report will
become a part of the student’s file in the
Office of Teacher Education Services.
This
policy is intended to serve the needs of the
Teacher Education Program at the University of
Montevallo and to protect learners and clients
with whom candidates might work during field
experiences or clinical practice.
This
policy does not affect candidate’s standing
with the University of Montevallo’s Academic
Dishonesty Policy and Student Conduct Code.
Candidates are subject to the provisions
of these policies.
COMPLETION OF THE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
After admission to the TEP, students have a limit of four years for program completion. Extensions of this time must be granted by the Dean of the College of Education on the basis of written appeal by the student.
Upon completion of the TEP, which includes a bachelor's degree in an approved program, students must have at least a 2.50 grade point average (general studies, professional studies, and teaching field) and a grade of “C” or better in all teaching field and professional studies courses.
Students should remember to request credit audits and complete diploma cards in the Records Office well in advance of the intended graduation date.