2006-2007- Volume 81, No. 1

Intent and Purpose:
This College of Education Rule is applicable to all upper-division Teacher Education Programs.

1. Admission Criteria for Degree Seeking Students:
   Admission to the College of Education is based on applicants meeting all of the following criteria:
   
   
   1. Earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 — To be eligible for upper-division education courses, students must have earned an overall cumulative 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale in a lower-division education-related program of study.
   
   
   2. Effective June 2004, Florida Statute 1004.04(4)(b),2 requires pre-service candidates to demonstrate mastery of general knowledge, including the ability to read, write and compute by passing the Florida Department of Education General Knowledge Test (GK) of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE).
      
      
      1. Students may choose to present passing scores on the GK, CLAST, or PRAXIS I for admission to a state-approved teacher preparation program.
         
         
         1. Students who submit CLAST scores for admissions may not use waivers, exemptions or alternative satisfactions to meet this requirement. The CLAST remains as a graduation requirement from the SPC A.A. and B.S. programs (waivers, exemptions or alternative satisfactions permitted).
         
         
         2. Students who present General Knowledge scores will have met 1/3 of the FTCE. The General Knowledge Test remains an approved program completion requirement, along with the Professional Education and Subject Area subtests of the FTCE.
         
         
         3. Students who submit CLAST or PRAXIS I scores, must also demonstrate basic skills knowledge through the General Knowledge Test in order to satisfy graduation requirements.
         
         
         4. If a candidate failed one or more CLAST subtest(s) and did not retake and pass the subtest(s) before July 1, 2002, the candidate must register for and pass the appropriate corresponding subtests(s) of the General Knowledge Test. The Bureau of Educator Certification has no authority to accept a CLAST subtest taken after June 30, 2002, for certification credit.
         
         
   3. Completed the A.A. degree or equivalent coursework in an education-related program of study:
      
      
      1. All general education requirements and lower-division Florida-mandated prerequisites for specified Teacher Education Programs of study.
         
         
         1. Students must have completed all SPC general education requirements or equivalent courses (both in title and in semester credit hours) at other fully accredited post-secondary institutions within the prescribed cumulative GPA; i.e., 2.5 or higher. Students must have completed all college preparatory courses prior to admission into the College of Education.
         
         
         2. Students must have completed the lower-division common education prerequisites: EDF 1005 Intro to Education, EDG 2701 Teaching Diverse Populations and EME 2040 Intro to Educational Technology with grades no lower than a “C” in each course. Equivalent college-level courses with equivalent semester credit hours with a grade no lower than “C” in each course will be considered.
         
         
         3. Students must have completed all lower-division Florida-mandated prerequisites specific to the intended Teacher Education major at the prescribed cumulative GPA; i.e., 2.5 or higher. Equivalent college-level courses with equivalent semester credit hours will be considered. Students must have completed all college preparatory courses prior to enrollment in any upper-division courses.
         
         
         4. Students who entered SPC for the first time (either as Full or Part Time freshmen or as first time students) prior to the fall of 2001 but after the fall of 1997 and whose catalog year has not yet expired will be required to complete the Florida-mandated prerequisites in effect prior to 03/21/01 (FAC 6A-5.066). Students in this category must complete the student teaching internship no later than spring, 2006. Failure to successfully complete the student teaching internship by spring, 2006 will result in students having to complete the more highly prescriptive Florida-mandated prerequisites. The Florida-mandated prerequisites in effect prior to 03/21/01 also apply to students (Full or Part Time) who transfer to the College of Education either with 60 semester hours (36 SPC General Education Requirements, 9 hours Common Education Prerequisites, Florida-mandated prerequisites) or with an A.A. degree between the fall of 2002 and spring of 2003.
         
         
         5. Students who entered SPC for the first time (either as Full or Part Time freshmen or as first time students) in the fall of 2001 will be required to complete Florida-mandated pre-requisites in effect as of 03/21/01 (FAC 6A-5.066). The Florida-mandated prerequisites in effect as of 03/21/01 also apply to stu¬dents (Full or Part Time) who transfer to the College of Education either with 60 semester hours (36 SPC General Education Requirements, 9 hours Common Education Prerequisites, Florida-mandated prerequisites) or with an A.A. degree in the fall of 2003.
         
         
         6. Students transferring from Pasco-Hernando Community College (PHCC) will be advised to complete their A.A. degree at PHCC.
         
         
         7. Pursuant to the waiver provisions provided by Florida Statutes 240.529(3) students who do not meet the lower-division state-mandated prerequisites specific to the intended Teacher Education major and/or other admission criteria may petition the Dean of Education for admission and may, with permission of the Dean, be admitted into the upper-division.
         
         
         
   4. Submitted all completed application materials and forms.
      
      
      1. Baccalaureate Application Supplement;
      
      
      2. A formal original essay which includes factors that have influenced the applicant’s decision to become a teacher, an explanation of his/her philosophy of education, previous teaching and related instructional experiences and the specific age group(s) involved, and individual skills, abilities and life experiences which showcase the applicant’s potential to become an effective, caring teacher
         
         
      3. Official academic transcripts from all past post-secondary institutions attended.
      
      
      4. Transfer students will be required to sign a release of information/education records form at the point of applying for admission to the College of Education. This form releases educational records from the previous institution(s) and authorizes those persons within the institution(s) having knowledge, custody or control of said records to disclose information to the College Registrar, or Dean of the College of Education. Transfer students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing with any previous Education program and must be eligible to return to the last College of Education attended.
         
         
2. Admission Criteria for Non-Degree Seeking Students:
   Enrollment in any College of education course/program is based on applicants meeting the criteria under an appropriate category.
   
   
   1. Transient students from another college
      A transient student is one who preserves uninterrupted residency status with the home college while attending St. Petersburg College. Students who wish to attend St. Petersburg College on a transient basis must substitute a Transient Form approved by the home college in lieu of an official transcript. The Transient Form or official transcript must be forwarded along with the Application of Admission and fee, to the Admissions/Registration Office on the campus he/she expects to attend. Approval from the Dean is required prior to enrollment.
   
   
   2. Post-Baccalaureate Students
      Students, who already hold a Bachelor’s Degree, wishing to enroll in upper-division courses leading to teacher certification, are encouraged to obtain certification guidance from the Florida Department of Education and/or a school district.
   
   
   1. Additional certification:
      Post-Baccalaureate students, possessing a teaching certificate, who wish to enroll in an upper-division course, must provide proof of an earned Bachelor’s Degree (transcript) and the recommended certification program of study from the Florida Department of Education Bureau of Educator Certification or from a school district.
   
   
   2. Re-certification:
      Post-Baccalaureate students who wish to enroll in an upper-division course must provide proof of an earned Bachelor’s Degree (transcript) and verification of teacher certification or employment in a school district.
   
   
   3. Alternative certification:
      Post-Baccalaureate students who wish to enroll in an upper-division course must provide proof of an earned Bachelor’s Degree (transcript) and the recommended certification program of study from the Florida Department of Education Bureau of Educator Certification or from a school district.
   
   
   4. Other non-degree seeking students must seek permission from the Dean.
   
   
3. Progression Requirements:
   The following progression requirements apply to students admitted to the College of Education:
   
   
   1. The College of Education has the right to place on pro¬bation, suspend or dismiss any student, in school-based environments, who does not exhibit the competencies required by the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (knowledge, competencies, dispositions or ethics) at the pre-professional level in accordance with Board Rule 6Hx23-4.721.
   
   
   2. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 and a College of Education GPA of 2.5. Students who do not maintain the GPA requirements will be placed on academic probation, suspended or dismissed. Please refer to Section IV. below. Students must work with the Baccalaureate Program Specialist to develop an academic plan.
   
   
   3. Students must pass the General Knowledge (GK) and Professional Education sections of the FTCE prior to final internship placement. Students will be permitted to take only the Subject Area exam during their final internship semester. Students who did not pass all sections of the CLAST prior to July 1, 2002, must pass the corresponding section(s) of the GK portion of the FTCE. Students must have the results of the FTCE exams sent/released to SPC prior to registration for the final internship.
      
      
   4. Students must clear background checks by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and a finger-print check by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). These requirements must be met 90 days prior to the student’s final internship.
   
   
   1. Students are required to disclose, on a College of Education required form, any information that may be revealed through the FDLE and FBI background check each semester they enroll in a course with school-based hours.
   
   
   2. A fee for the FDLE, FBI background check is required to be paid by each applicant. Upon request, fee waivers may be approved by the Office of Scholarships and Student Financial Assistance to document economically disadvantaged applicants (AFDC, Pell, Workforce, etc).
   
   
   3. Students who disclose background information that may preclude them from gaining a teaching certificate or teaching position in the State of Florida will not be permitted to participate in school-based experiences and will not be eligible to continue enrollment in the College of Education. These students will be withdrawn from any and all school-based courses without a refund. Students may continue their coursework for the remainder of the semester in non school-based classes.
   
   
   4. Students with unacceptable background check (FDLE, FBI) results will not be eligible to continue enrollment in the College of Education or their final internship. These students will be withdrawn from all courses, including the final internship, without a refund of any previously paid tuition or fees.
   
   
   5. Students will be required to meet and maintain the current background hiring guideline standards set forth by Pasco, Pinellas and Hernando County School Boards in order to remain eligible to continue enrollment in the College of Education.
   
   
   6. Graduation from the College of Education does not necessarily guarantee certification by the Florida Department of Education.
   
   
   5. All program requirements within the specified Teacher Education major must be successfully completed prior to receiving approval to be placed in the student teaching internship. The internship or student teaching is a process separate from admission to the College of Education. Therefore, admission to the College of Education does not guarantee approval to complete the student teaching internship. Therefore, students must apply for and obtain approval to be placed in the student teaching internship.
   
   
   6. Students (full-time and part-time) must complete the school-based experiences associated with a course at pre-assigned sites within the semester’s time frame.
   
   
   7. During the final internship semester, students are not permitted to enroll in additional coursework.
   
   
   8. Students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all core College of Education courses.
   
   
   9. Students may not enroll in any college preparatory courses while enrolled in the College of Education.
   
   
   10. Transient students from St. Petersburg College: Permission to attend another institution on a transient basis will be granted on a case-by-case basis. Eligibility for transient status and acceptability of courses is determined by the Baccalaureate Program Specialist for the College of Education and the Coordinator of Baccalaureate Records. The student is urged to bring the Coordinator of Baccalaureate Records course descriptions of each course to deter-mine their transferability and equivalency. Transient permission is not usually given to any student for consecutive sessions.
       Students granted permission to take courses on a transient basis must complete a Transient Form with the Baccalaureate Program Specialist for the College of Education. Only those courses listed on the Transient Form will be accepted as equated on the form. Courses earned in transient status are accepted with the grades earned and are treated as transfer work.
   
   
4. Academic Probation, Suspension and Dismissal


1. Academic Probation


1. Students must make a good faith effort to main¬tain the 2.5 overall GPA. Failure to do so will result in academic probation.
2. The student will remain on probation and must maintain a 3.0 for each session until the overall GPA is 2.5 or higher. Failure to do so will result in suspension for one session.
3. Students receiving VA benefits and/or other forms of financial assistance may lose some or all of such benefits as a result of being placed on pro¬bation, suspended or dismissed.


2. Academic Suspension


1. After being placed on academic probation, a student will be suspended at the end of any session for which his/her session GPA is below 3.0.
2. While under academic suspension, the student is ineligible to re-enroll for a period of one session.
3. Following the completion of an academic suspension, the student is required to consult with the baccalaureate specialist prior to re-admission.
4. Upon return from academic suspension, the student must maintain a minimum session GPA of 3.0 each session until the student’s cumulative GPA is at least 2.5.


3. Academic Dismissal


1. A student who has been suspended for at least one session, and who returns and then fails to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 each session will be dismissed.
2. A student who has been academically dismissed is not eligible for further enrollment for at least one calendar year (12 months) following such dismissal.
3. Following the completion of an academic dismissal, as described in 2. above, the student is required to consult with the baccalaureate specialist prior to re-admission.
4. Upon return from academic dismissal, the student must maintain a minimum session GPA of 3.0 each session until the student’s cumulative GPA is at least 2.5.
   
   
5. Graduation Requirements:
   
   The following graduation requirements apply to students admitted to the College of Education:
   
   
   1. Students must have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in order to be eligible to graduate and must earn a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 on a 4.00 scale in upper-division courses in the College of Education.
      
      
   2. Students must have completed (with passing grades) two sequential years of a single foreign language in high school or 8 to 10 semester hours of a single foreign language at a college or university level (as required by Florida Statute 240.233).
      
      
   3. For purposes of conferring the Bachelor’s degree, students must complete at least 40 semester hours of courses numbered 3000 level or above. At least 30 of the 40 hours must be earned at St. Petersburg College.
      
      
   4. Students must complete the general education requirements for the Associate in Arts degree including any assessment of education outcomes that are required by the College.
   
   
   5. Students must pass all sections of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination or other instrument authorized for certification within the State of Florida.
   
   
   6. Students must complete six hours of coursework with an international /multicultural focus. This is automatically met with the AA degree for native SPC students. This is met with the AA degree or Bachelor’s degree for transfer students.
   
   
   7. While the College catalog governs a student’s program requirements, changes to a program emanating from the Florida State Board of Education will take precedence over the College catalog and may alter a student’s program of study.
   
   
   8. The Florida State Board of Education requires all College of Education students to demonstrate competency in all the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices as a condition of graduation.
   
   
   9. College of Education students must apply for graduation the semester prior to the final internship. Fall graduates must apply no later than March 1 of the preceding semester. Spring graduates must apply no later than October 1 of the preceding semester.
   
   
   10. Students must successfully complete all school based hours and the final Internship experience as a condition of graduation.
   
   
   11. Graduation requirements as set forth in St. Petersburg College’s Board of Trustees’ Rules 6Hx23-4.01, 6Hx23-04.02 and 6Hx23-4.24 will also apply.
   
   

For more information visit the College of Education web site at http://www.spcollege.edu/bachelors/coe_main.php.

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Last revised Jun 21 2006
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