This option provides students with a multidisciplinary understanding of teaching and learning in the elementary grades and the skills and dispositions that will prepare them to teach in today’s elementary schools. The program includes theory and practice with children from kindergarten to grade 6 and fulfills requirements for NH Elementary Education (K-6) teacher certification. A liberal arts major is required in addition to the Education, Elementary option, major.

Building on the historical legacy of teacher preparation at Keene State College, the Education program's mission is to prepare competent, reflective classroom teachers and other professional school personnel who utilize effective teaching practices and who create developmentally appropriate educational environments for diverse learners. We integrate liberal arts knowledge and professional preparation for each program we offer and incorporate state and national standards for each specialty area.

Keene State College has been an NCATE accredited institution since 1954; each education program option meets state and national standards and prepares teacher candidates who demonstrate appropriate content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and skills, ability to impact student learning, and professionalism.

Our Department’s conceptual framework states that we strive to prepare professionals who:

• Explore the dynamic nature of teaching and learning 
• Demonstrate professional and ethical behaviors that meet high expectations and standards
• Understand the world from multiple perspectives
• Contribute to a just, sustainable, and equitable world

The coursework builds on ecological theories of human development and examines the contexts in which educational systems exist from the perspective of multiple worldviews. Students thereby develop an understanding of themselves as learners and future teachers as they examine the ways in which developmental theories can be helpful in understanding children and curriculum. Field experiences are systematically integrated throughout the program to provide authentic theory-to-practice opportunities for exploring effective pedagogy and assessment strategies.

Admission to Keene State College does not necessarily guarantee admission to Educator Preparation, admission to Student Teaching, or eligibility for certification. Students are assigned an official advisor upon acceptance into the Educator Preparation program. Materials for application to the Educator Preparation program are available in the Educator Preparation and Graduate Studies Office in Rhodes Hall S111.

LIBERAL ARTS MAJOR

For a dual major in Elementary Education: The New Hampshire State Department of Education requires students completing Education majors to also demonstrate depth of knowledge in a content area. Therefore, Education, Elementary option, majors must also fulfill requirements of a liberal arts major; see list below for acceptable majors.

• Anthropology/Sociology
• Art
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Communication
• Computer Science
• Criminal Justice
• Economics
• English
• Environmental Studies
• Film Studies
• History
• Holocaust and Genocide Studies
• Individualized Major
• Journalism
• Mathematics
• Music (audition required)
• Politics
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Spanish
• STEM - for Pre-K Through 6th Grade Educators option
• Theatre and Dance

Students seeking certification to become a K-12 Music Educator or K-12 Physical Educator will complete the Music Education or Physical Education Teacher Certification major. See the appropriate catalog section (Music or Physical Education) for these program requirements.

Transfer Credits

Students who wish to transfer credits into a teacher certification option must apply through the department chair. Transfer students are advised to contact the department chair immediately after acceptance to obtain information about admission to Educator Preparation, PRAXIS testing requirements, and transfer equivalencies.

Integrative Studies Requirements

40 credits minimum 

All students in an educator preparation program must meet the New Hampshire General Education Studies standard (Ed 609.01). This standard is met by successful completion of Keene State College Integrative Studies program. Some Education options require specific courses outside of the Education major; these courses may be included in the student's Integrative Studies program (if appropriate courses are available).

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Major Requirements (54 credits, plus liberal arts major)
EDUC-121	Issues in Elem Ed	4
EDSP-202	Dev, Exceptn, & Learn	4
EDUC-205	Literacy Diverse Class	4
EDUC-321	Method: Literary & Soc Studies	8
EDUC-322	Elementary Methods II	8
EDUC-400	Student Teaching	12
EDUC-420	ELED Std Tchr Sem	2
MATH-171	Math for Prek-6 Educators I	4
MATH-172	Math for Prek-6 Educators II	4
Understanind Iniquities (4 Credits)
Select one of the following:		4
ISSOC-310	Social Problems
ISSOC-386	Race, State, & Justice
ISSOC-357	Global Ethnic Relations
IIWGS-300	Critical Ethnic Studies
IHCOMM-450	The Rhetoric of Race
HIST-373	Race Disability & Eugenics
HGS/EDUC-402	Education in Emergencies
IIHGS/IIEDUC-302	Educ in Divided Societies
PSYC-321	Culture & Psychology
IICOMM-320	Participatory Cultures
IIMGT-305	Organizational Diversity
Total Credits		54

CRITERIA FOR CONTINUED PROGRESS IN THE MAJOR

Students may officially declare a Major in Education at any time. However, continued progress through the Major and its options depends on meeting course prerequisites, demonstrating competence in the content of the subject matter taught in Elementary schools, as well as the Educator Preparation Program Decision Points.

(See http://www.keene.edu/academics/departments/teachered/students/decision-points/.)

Students will be given support with program planning throughout their time at KSC, and are encouraged to work with their faculty advisors regularly to review how they are meeting progress and eligibility requirements.

FEES

Additional expenses associated with the options within the Education program include the following:

• Students seeking state certification are responsible for taking state-required standardized tests and completing the certification application.
• Travel to field placement sites is required. Some placements are beyond walking distance from campus and students are responsible for their own transportation.
• Students are responsible for expenses associated with required criminal history record information (fingerprinting) and background checks for field placement sites.
• Students are responsible for fees associated with the application to Educator Preparation and once admitted, for a Tk20 account. Tk20 is a program used for data management for accreditation purposes.

K-8 RECOMMENDATION

For a K-8 recommendation:

• Complete all requirements for K-6 recommendation
• Have a content concentration in:
  • English/language arts
  • Mathematics
  • Social Studies
  • General Science
• Have a passing middle school content Praxis II score in the given content area

Electives

Select additional credits to reach a total of 120 credits for the degree.

Degree Requirements

120 credits
40 credits at the upper-level

Degree requirements may exceed 120 credits, depending on the choice of liberal arts major.

Upon completion of the Education B.S. degree, students will:

• Develop expertise in planning and preparation, demonstrating knowledge of subject matter, methodology, students, instructional goals, resources, instructional design, and assessment.
• Develop expertise in establishing a positive classroom environment, including establishing respect and rapport with students within a culture of learning, managing classroom procedures and student behavior, and effectively organizing classroom space.
• Develop expertise in classroom instruction by communicating clearly, using a variety of teaching techniques that engage students in their learning, providing feedback, and being flexible and responsive to students.
• Develop a sense of "professionalism" and demonstrate professional responsibility and growth by reflecting on their teaching, maintaining accurate records, and communicating effectively with families, colleagues, and administrators. In addition, students focus on the important themes also outlined in Danielson, which are reflected in the KSC Conceptual Framework: promoting equity, practicing cultural sensitivity, maintaining high expectations, providing developmentally appropriate activities, accommodating students with special needs, and incorporating technology into the classroom.