Early Care and Education (Birth-Grade 2), Bachelor of Science

Admission

In addition to satisfying general requirements for admission to Wilmington University, effective July 1, 2014, applicants for admission to this degree program are required by state regulation to demonstrate mastery of general knowledge. *This program-entry requirement can be met by providing an official score report showing scores (including all sub-scores) on the ETS Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (ETS # 5712, 5722, and 5732).

For complete information about Delaware tests and score requirements for educators, go to this website:regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title14/1500/1510.shtml#TopOfPage.

Test codes and minimum score requirements for the ETS Core Series are:

*NOTE: Candidates admitted prior to July 1, 2014 have until July 1, 2015 to satisfy this requirement. For more information about ETS exams (including how to register), go to: http://www.ets.org/praxis/

Content and Performance Assessment Requirements

State-approved degree program contributes to eligibility for licensure/certification as an educator in Delaware public schools. As such, all candidates must meet the content and performance assessment requirements described in DE Administrative Code, Title 14, Regulation 290, in order to be eligible for program completion and degree conferral.

The regulation states, in part:

Content Assessment (This subparagraph shall take effect January 1, 2015).

“Where a content readiness exam is applicable and available in area, subject, or category of specialization sought, the Candidate shall achieve a passing score on an examination as established by the Professional Standards Board, in consultation with the Department and with concurrence of the State Board.”

The assessment and score established by the Delaware Department of Education that is applicable to this degree program is:

Early Childhood: ETS test #5024 Education of Young Children (score of 160)

A passing score on exam #5024 is required prior to approval to register for the capstone clinical experience (student teaching/internship).

A candidate who wishes to complete the capstone clinical experience (student teaching/internship) in a public school (grades K, 1 or 2) and attain recognition/status as Highly Qualified must also take and pass:

ETS test #5001, Elementary Education Multiple Subjects (all four tests required – can be taken separately or together)

Performance Assessment (This subparagraph shall take effect July 1, 2016.)

“Where a performance assessment is applicable and available in an area appropriate to the Program in which a Candidate is enrolled, the Candidate shall achieve a passing score as a requirement to Exit the Program. The performance assessment may not be scored by any employees of the Educator Preparation Program or Unit, and shall be scored by Certified Reviewers.”

The assessment selected by Wilmington University to satisfy this requirement is the Praxis Performance Assessment for Teachers (PPAT). This assessment is administered and scored by ETS. Delaware minimum score requirements have not yet been set by the Delaware Professional Standards Board.

Candidates must check with their program advisor or program chair to obtain current and accurate information as to the specific assessments and score requirements. Candidates must pass all exit assessments in order to be eligible for program completion and degree conferral.

Program Requirements

Teacher candidates are expected to complete all requirements associated with the Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Early Care and Education, including both course work and clinical experiences. The College of Education sets a required minimum grade of “C-” for all Education core courses (ECE, EDU, RDG, and EPY).

Teacher candidates starting their programs in Fall 2013 or later must pass (using Delaware minimum score requirements) all sections of the PRAXIS (core): Reading, Mathematics and Writing (or relevant exemption test) prior to registration for Practicum I (EDU 390) and the PRAXIS II test (5024: Education of the Young Child) prior to registration for the capstone clinical experience (student teaching/internship).

Teacher candidates must designate Wilmington University and the Delaware Department of Education as score recipients at the time the tests are taken, and also provide a paper copy of the ETS score report that includes all scores and sub-scores. COMPLETE score reports must be received in the College of Education main office (Peoples Building, New Castle).

Teacher candidates must register for EDU 102, E-Folio, as the initial course in the program as this course will allow them to document various course requirements needed to satisfy individual program competencies. In that course, teacher candidates will learn how to activate their Taskstream accounts and use the E-folio to record program data.

EDU 102 E-folio and EDU 203 are Prerequisite(s) for all other education core courses (ECE, EDU, PSY, RDG).

Fieldwork Requirements

Practicum Courses (Practicum I, II, III)

Each of these courses requires 50 hours of field experience in an approved school setting plus 30 hours of required seminars. Although Practicum courses only require candidates to register and pay for one (1) credit for each course, the courses are actually structured as three (3) credit courses. The reason for this approach is to keep the total credit hours required for the degree to 126. Otherwise, candidates would have to register and pay for an additional 6 credits. This benefit represents a tuition cost savings of more than $2,000.

All practicum placements are arranged by the Office of Clinical Studies in accordance with school district partnership agreements and placement protocols. Final placement decisions are made by school district officials. Candidates are not permitted to seek or make arrangements for their own placements.

The 50 hours of field experience required for each practicum will usually take place in the county where the candidate attends the seminars, although this may vary depending on availability of practicum placement classrooms. A sealed Federal and Delaware CBC (Criminal Background Check) Report, a recent TB/PPD (less than a year old) and a completed CPR (Child Protection Registry Form) are required. For students entering the program as of Fall 2013, passing PRAXIS (core) scores are required.

Capstone Clinical Experience (Student Teaching/Internship)

All placements are arranged by placement specialists in the WilmU Office of Clinical Studies in accordance with school district partnership agreements and protocols. However, final placement decisions are made by school district officials and are based on school and district needs and the availability of school-based mentors who are rated as highly-qualified and effective. Candidates are not permitted to seek or make arrangements for their own placements.

The capstone clinical experience (is a full-time, full-day placement ranging from 80 school days to one full school year in an approved setting and in a content area/grade level that corresponds to a candidate’s program concentration.

Registration for the capstone clinical experience requires prior approval from the Office of Clinical Studies and the following: 3.00 cumulative GPA, no Incomplete grades, passing PRAXIS (core) and PRAXIS II scores, a sealed Federal and Delaware CBC (Criminal Background Check) Report, a recent TB/PPD (less than a year old), a completed CPR (Child Protection Registry Form) and a completed health form.

Curriculum

General Education Requirements (54 credits)

Fine Arts Electives (6 credits from the following):

Behavioral Science Core (12 credits)

Education Core (30 credits)

Clinical Components (24 credits)

Suggested Program Sequence

Freshman

Semester 1

Semester 2

Sophomore

Semester 1

Semester 2

Junior

Semester 1

Semester 2

Senior

Semester 1

Semester 2