ADMISSION TO TEACHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
Students planning to enter any professional teacher education program must meet six academic and non-academic requirements established by the School of Education which are consistent with certification requirements of the State of Connecticut. These are:

1. Complete the University Requirements, thereby exhibiting an educational background in the arts and humanities, mathematics, science, social and behavioral sciences, health and physical education.
2. Pass the state-mandated skills examination (Praxis I) in mathematics, reading, and writing, or, present a combined score of 1000 on the SAT with at least a score of 400 on both the verbal and mathematics sections respectively from any test administration prior to March 31 1995; or, present a combined score of 1100 on the SAT with at least a score of 450 on both the verbal and the mathematics sections respectively from any test administration on or after April 1, 1995; or, present a composite score of 24 or more on the American CollegeTesting Program Assessment (ACT), with no less than 22 on the English subtest and no less than 19 on the math subtest from test administrations on or after October 1989.
3. Maintain a minimum 2.7 QPR for all undergraduate courses.
4. Submit an essay demonstrating a proficiency in English, setting forth the reasons for wanting to enroll in a teacher preparation program and emphasizing experiences relevant to teaching.
5. Submit a letter of recommendation from each of two persons able to testify to the student's suitability as a teacher.
6. Be interviewed by a departmental admissions committee, which will assess the student's personal attributes that will affect his or her teaching performance.
   Any one of the requirements 3-6 above may be waived if justified by unusual circumstances. These requirements apply to all students seeking admission to teacher certification programs in early childhood education, elementary education, middle grade education, any secondary education program (English, social studies (history), mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, foreign languages), art education, health education, physical education and special education.
   

No student is accepted into a certification program until requirements 1-6 are met or waived. Failure to meet all of the requirements in a timely manner will preclude registration or course work. Applicants to certification programs should allow a minimum of six months from receipt of application to admission.

Students applying for certification programs may not register for more than two courses in professional education before they have met all the requirements specified in the six standards established by the Connecticut Board of Education Ind have received official notification of admission to the certification program.

The School of Education requires the student to maintain a 2.7 QPR average. A student, who after acceptance into a teacher education program, completes 9 or more credits with a cumulative QPR of less than 2.7 will be placed on School of Education academic probation. The student will have one semester to raise the QPR to 2.7 or higher. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the School of Education.

Performance Assessment
Students must maintain good standing in the program in order to qualify for student teaching and a recommendation from Southern Connecticut State University for State of Connecticut teacher certification. They also must demonstrate the following:

• Personal attitudes and attributes that affect her or his performance a teacher;
• Professional behavior appropriate to the context which shows realization that actions reflect directly upon the status and substance of the profession;
• Confidentiality of all information concerning colleagues and students obtained in the educational process; and
• Integrity and honesty in written and verbal communication, documentations, and coursework related to the professional program for teacher certification.
  

Revocation of Admission to the Professional Program

• Demonstrated unprofessional behavior or an inability to respond appropriately in various contexts which affects her or his performance as a teacher;
• Falsified or misrepresented any documentation or information provided for programmatic, academic, or pro-fessional qualification/competency purposes;
• Achieves an unacceptable standard on the perfor-mance assessments required by the School of Education;
• Been convicted in a court of law of a crime involving moral turpitude or of any crime of such nature that in the opinion of the University would impair the standing of the School of Education professional program; or
• Other due and sufficient cause.
  

A passing score on PRAXIS II (or ACTFL if receiving certification in foreign language) is required for completion of the program at Southern. Every attempt to pass PRAXIS II before initiating student teaching should be made. In any case, students must pass PRAXIS II prior to the completion of student teaching.