School of Education

School of Education 100, Phone: (808) 675-3885, Fax: (808) 675-3988
http://soe.byuh.edu/

Dean: John L. Bailey, Ph.D., Professor, Education (baileyj@byuh.edu)

The departments in the School of Education are:

• Elementary Education
• Secondary Education
• Special Education
• Instructional Design & Development

Recognizing the unique mission of Brigham Young University Hawaii (BYUH), the School of Education prepares quality U.S. and international teachers with the content knowledge, pedagogical skills, and professional dispositions required to meet the needs of students in today's diverse and changing society who teach and model (1) life-long learning and problem-solving abilities; (2) best current educational practices, balanced with gospel principles; and (3) caring, compassionate, and collaborative service in the home, school, church and community.

The School of Education offers Bachelor's degrees with majors in Elementary Education, Special Education, Dual (Special Education and Elementary Education), and Secondary Education in approved content areas (see Secondary Education). The School of Education also offers to in-state teachers a post-baccalaureate Basic Teacher Licensing program, a post-baccalaureate Professional Diploma for licensed public school teachers, and a state-approved Alternative Licensing Program track for selected public school teachers to earn their initial basic license.

In order to teach in a public school in most countries, as in the United States, an individual must be issued a license to teach by the government. In each sovereign state, teacher education programs must be approved by a designated agency authorized to issue teacher licenses or approve the hiring of teachers.

In Hawaii, teaching licenses are issued by the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (HTSB). Students receive a recommendation for teacher licensing from the School of Education at BYUH after successful completion of their state approved Teacher Education Program, according to the licensing requirements established by the HTSB. In international areas, teaching licenses generally require the governmental review of the student's transcript which details the completed BYUH School of Education teacher education program and may additionally require, in some cases, the passing of a national teacher examination.

As the university's mission continues to expand internationally and in order to attract more students into teacher education from international locations, the School of Education has developed a "3 + 1" program for international students. Partnerships with education departments internationally, make it possible for graduates in teacher education from this campus to return to their country to student teach and subsequently obtain employment as a teacher. The "3 + 1" allows students to complete three years of their undergraduate program on campus and the last year in student teaching in their home country.

In addition to institution accreditation review by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the Teacher Education Programs offered by the School of Education are reviewed through a State Approval of Teacher Education (SATE) evaluation that is coordinated and conducted by the HTSB. Prior to 2002, teacher education programs in the state were accredited using standards established by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC). All state reviews after 2002 are conducted using standards adapted from those prescribed by the National Council on Accreditation for Teacher Education (NCATE). The most recent approval of teacher education programs was received in 2006. SATE approval of the BYUH School of Education teacher education programs enables graduates to apply for teacher licensing through reciprocity agreements held among many U.S. states and countries.

Undergraduate Teacher Education Programs

• Elementary Education (U.S. & International)
• Special Education (U.S. & International)
• Dual Licensing (Elementary and Special Education)
• Secondary Education (U.S. & International)
• Education Minor
• Instructional Design and Development Minor

Post Baccalaureate Teacher Education Programs

• Basic Teacher Licensing (5th year program - Hawaii)
• Alternative Licensing Program (Hawaii)
• Professional Diploma (Hawaii)

Formal admission into a teacher education program is by application. This process may be initiated during or after courses in the "Pre-Professional Area" are completed. Formal admission is required before courses in the "Academic Support" and "Professional Year" sections can be taken. Admission requirements include the following criteria:

1. Admission to BYU Hawaii
2. Cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
3. Completion of State of Hawaii clearance.
4. A completed graduation plan, or MAP (Major Academic Plan), on file with the Academic Advisor. In addition to the advisement services available from the Academic Advisor, each education major is assigned a Faculty Advisor in the School of Education. The Faculty Advisor is available to answer questions regarding specific courses in the program, course content, career-related questions, or any other major-related issues.
5. Successful completion of all courses in the Pre-Professional Area (C- or higher).
6. Passing scores on the PPST: Pre-Professional Skills Tests in Reading, Writing, and Math (See the School of Education Academic Advisor for registration information and testing deadlines). Each PPST area may only be repeated once, unless special permission is granted by the Program Chair and Dean of the School of Education. An SAT Reading score of 530 or more or SAT Mathematics score of 560 or more can be used as an alternate way to meet the corresponding PPST requirement. There is no alternate way to meet the PSST Writing requirement.
7. A completed application packet (available from the Academic Advisor).
8. A successful interview with at least two faculty members from the intended major program.
9. Recommendation, determined by interview, by faculty in the appropriate School of Education department, with final approval by the Dean of the School of Education.

NOTES:

1. Courses in the major (transferred or taken on campus) older than five years by the projected graduation date may not receive credit.
2. Meeting all minimum criteria 1 through 9 does not guarantee admittance into a teacher education program.

Besides meeting all university criteria, including the Honor Code, programs in the School of Education are subject to review for accreditation by the HTSB. Therefore, individuals selected for programs in the School of Education must demonstrate the pedagogical skills, content knowledge, and professional dispositions necessary to help all students learn in order to be recommended for graduation and a teaching license. To that end, candidates for graduation and teacher licensing will be carefully assessed throughout their teacher-training program.

If a student's progress becomes questionable as measured against the following standards, the student will be dropped from the program:

1. Maintains an overall grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
2. Maintains standards of ENGL 101 in all written work: grammar, spelling, punctuation, usage, vocabulary, pronunciation, and handwriting.
3. Maintains standards of English oral communication.
4. Maintains a professional disposition throughout all education assignments as evidenced (via the Professional Dispositions Form) by interacting effectively with peers, university instructors, and public school students and personnel.
5. Completes all major courses with a C- grade or higher.
6. Completes all required courses with only one repeat in line with University policy.
7. All prior courses must be successfully completed before a student can be admitted to Student Teaching.
8. Student teaching is a full-time internship experience and students will not be engaged in any other university commitment.

Students planning to complete an education degree without U.S. licensure have several options:

1. International students returning to their home regions (e.g. ITEP, 3+1 programs) The School of Education facilitates the programs of international students to meet the needs and requirements of their national or regional governments in regard to teacher hiring. Students will work under the 3 + 1 concept in which they complete their course work and Observation and Practicum in Hawaii, and then return to their home region to an organized partnership arrangement between BYUH and a local school and university to complete their student teaching internship. Under the ITEP program a number of CES teachers in the Pacific are selected and receive scholarships to enable them to attend BYUH to complete their degrees in a one-year time period.
2. U.S. students planning to remain in the U.S. U.S. students who plan to remain in the U.S. but not practice as a licensed teacher or who do not complete a licensing track, have some flexibility in their course selection, and will not complete a formal student teaching internship experience.

Students contemplating this option could be planning to pursue higher education, work as teaching assistants, or be employed in other school or business related occupations that do not require a teacher license. Admission to these programs is arranged through the Academic Advisor and with the permission of the respective faculty.

Issuance of a teaching certificate or license is the responsibility of each state or country, not the School of Education. Finding, understanding and meeting the requirements for licensure are the sole responsibility of each student. Currently, the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (HTSB) requirements that must be met prior to issuance of a Hawaii teaching license to U.S. students include:

1. Recommendation from an accredited School of Education (see "Note" below).
2. A completed application for a teacher license (an application form may be obtained online at http://www.htsb.org/).
3. Passing scores (which are set by the HTSB) on all required Praxis exams (see Academic Advisor for current information).

Note: In Hawaii, the School of Education notifies the HTSB, in writing, of all students being "recommended" for teacher licensure. This "recommendation" is determined by the respective department chair and faculty of the teacher education program (elementary, secondary, special education), with final approval by the Dean of the School of Education.

The decision to "recommend" is based upon the successful completion of all requirements for graduation from the institution and the successful completion of all performance expectations during the professional field experiences. (Completion of requirements for graduation from the University does not automatically guarantee that a student will be recommended for teaching licensure by the School of Education.)

Upon "recommendation" by the institution and successful completion of the state's requirements, the individual is issued a teaching license, which is required in order to be employed as a public school teacher. This license is transportable to 39 other U.S. states because of reciprocity agreements between these states. The remaining states have their own unique requirements.

It is the responsibility of each student who plans to teach in another state or country to enquire early in their program about the teacher licensing requirements in that country and arrange to meet these additional requirements (see Academic Advisor for information).

Any student who wishes to have a teacher education course background but chooses not to pursue teaching as a major, may select the education minor as an option. It is complementary to many majors on campus, and includes 18 credit hours of education classes which must be chosen with faculty guidance to assist in meeting the career goals of the student. Faculty permission is required.

The School of Education offers a minor in Instructional Design and Development (IDD) which provides students with technical skills and theoretical foundations in designing and developing technology-based instructions. In this information age, expertise in this area is increasingly sought after in various industries including business, communications, education, information technology, and others that involve using technology to enhance human performance. IDD at BYU-Hawaii emphasizes practical experience with hands-on projects for clients with specific instructional needs.

Grades: No "D" grades will be counted toward minor. Prior to taking courses students must have basic computer skills. If the students have little or no previous computer knowledge IS 91 are recommended as preparatory classes.

 

Required Courses (15 hours):

Electives (3 hours):

The Basic Teacher Licensing (5th year program - Hawaii)

Individuals employed with the Hawaii Department of Education in critical shortage areas (subject and/or geographical) who are teaching without the initial basic license may earn their teaching license through the School of Education's state approved Alternative Licensing Program (ALP). This program allows the teacher to remain on the job and complete the requirements leading towards the initial basic license. Once accepted, the individual is supervised for one semester as a student teacher. If the individual meets the performance standards as established by the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, then the School of Education has an option of prescribing no more than fifteen semester hours of coursework to be completed. This coursework would be prescribed, based on perceived deficiencies in the performance standards required for the initial basic licensing. Once any coursework prescribed is successfully completed, the individual is recommended to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board for the initial basic teacher license.

The prerequisites for admission are:

1. Official transcript verifying the Baccalaureate Degree was earned from an accredited institution.
2. Minimum of two semesters of full-time teaching responsibilities in the content area/field in which teacher licensing is being sought.
3. A favorable letter of recommendation from a peer teacher.
4. A favorable letter of recommendation from the applicant's principal as well as the completed "Principal's Recommendation for Temporary Teachers" form.
5. A transcript evaluation to determine specific courses needed, with a minimum of 2.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) on the baccalaureate degree.
6. Successful completion of the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) for elementary, secondary, and special education applicants. In addition, secondary education applicants must successfully complete the content area Praxis exam(s) for the area in which teacher licensing is being sought.

The Professional Diploma program is a 30-semester hour in-service program for teachers who have already completed an initial basic teacher license and have had at least one-year teaching experience. Students who complete the program will receive a diploma from the university.

The prerequisites for admission are:

1. Initial basic teaching license.
2. Grade point average of 3.00 or higher on the last 45 semester hours of approved undergraduate and graduate coursework.
3. At least one year teaching experience.
4. Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with applicant's teaching performance.
5. A completed application for admission into BYUH and the Professional Diploma Program on file with the School of Education.

 

Program Requirements

 

Academic Year

 

Time Limit

In collaboration with the Church Education System (CES), ITEP is a partnership created to provide professional development programs for CES teachers and administrators in the Pacific. These programs are intended to provide the target audience personnel with the knowledge, skills and dispositions needed to be more effective teachers and administrators. The third partner in this program, the church missionary department, provides an essential service in the success of this program. Couples with teacher education expertise are called to serve as ITEP Adjunct Faculty in the target countries. With their backgrounds, they are often able to provide the needed instruction in the designated course work and supervision required in each country. As needed, faculty members from the church university campuses are also utilized to provide essential services.

Currently, eight missionary couples are assigned to the ITEP program and serve at the invitation of the Board of Education, the Church Education System and Brigham Young University Hawaii. Their services are deeply appreciated at all levels especially by the teachers in the CES schools.

 

ITEP Couples/Adjunct Faculty

 

Church School Principals