Optional Add-on Endorsement in Special Education For those elementary education majors who wish to add on a special education general curriculum endorsement to their teaching license upon graduation, there is an option for a student teaching experience to include a special education practicum, which would allow the candidate to earn an initial license in elementary education with an add on endorsement in special education general curriculum (K-6). This would allow the graduate to teach either elementary or special education general curriculum upon completion, making the graduate more marketable and providing them with more options. Educator Preparation Program The Educator Preparation Program (EPP) of University of Lynchburg includes the preparation of teachers in elementary, secondary, and special education endorsements. The Virginia Department of Education has approved all programs within the University of Lynchburg’s EPP, and that approval serves as the basis for licensure in Virginia. The Commonwealth of Virginia participates in certification reciprocity with more than forty states and areas. Eligibility for interstate reciprocity is based on completion of a specifically approved program as directed and delivered by the University of Lynchburg. Gateway 1- Admission to the Pre-Professional Preparation Program All students who plan to be licensed as teachers must apply for admission to the Pre-Professional Preparation Program during the sophomore year or, if a junior transfer student, by November 1 of the junior year. The completed application must be submitted to the administrative office of the College and will be forwarded to the Gateways Committee for review. All listed requirements below must be satisfied prior to the Pre-Professional Preparation Program application deadline. • Minimum overall GPA of 2.75 and minimum GPA of 3.0 in the major; • Completed the four required courses for their program area with B grade or higher in each; • Passing score on the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA); • Obtain satisfactory scores on the University’s Dispositions Assessment; • Submit Covenant Not to Sue; • Submit Professionalism Pledge; • Submit TB Screening Documentation; and • Successfully pass criminal background check Notification of admission status is provided through a letter from the College of Education, Leadership, and Counseling. Students who are denied admission to Pre-Professional Preparation Program are informed of the basis for this determination. If the student wishes to rectify the deficiency and re-apply, they must do so in writing, usually after an interval of one semester. Gateway 2 - Admission to Student Teaching and Educator Preparation Program Students completing the teacher licensure program must apply to student teach prior to February 1 for a fall semester placement and September 15 for a spring semester placement. All students must be admitted to the Gateway 2 to be eligible for student teaching. The completed application must be submitted to the administrative office of the College of Education, Leadership, and Counseling and will be forwarded to the Gateway Committee for review and approval. All listed requirements below must be satisfied prior to the student teaching and EPP application deadline. • Prior acceptance into the Pre-Professional Preparation Program; • Submission of a written application with three University of Lynchburg faculty recommendations, including two from faculty members in the major; • Minimum overall GPA of 2.75 and minimum GPA of 3.0 in the major; • Meet VDOE Cultural competency training; • Meet VDOE Special Education competency; • Passing score on the Praxis II content assessment(s), if applicable; • Passing score on the Praxis II teaching reading score, if applicable; • Satisfactory scores on the university’s dispositional assessment; • Submit Covenant Not to Sue; • Submit Professionalism Pledge; • Submit TB Screening Documentation; and • Successfully pass Criminal Background check Notification of admission status is provided through a letter from the College. Students who are denied admission to Student Teaching and EPP are informed of the basis for this determination. If the student wishes to rectify the deficiency and re-apply, they must do so in writing, usually after an interval of one semester. After committee review the request for reconsideration, students receive written notification of their admissions status, including conditions resulting in a delayed decision or denial. After receiving the approval letter for admission to Student Teaching and EPP, the student will receive notification of the mandatory Gateway 2 Orientation. Following admission to student teaching, the Director of Field Experiences and Teacher Licensure collaborate with each local school division to determine student teaching placements. Students are notified of their student teaching placement, in writing, after placements are finalized. More specific information about student teaching and related processes are included in the Student Teaching Handbook distributed to each candidate with the letter of approval to Gateway 2 and shared during the mandatory Student Teaching Orientation that all approved student teachers must attend on the first day of the semester of the assigned student teaching placement. • Attend mandatory Gateway 2 Orientation at the end of the semester prior to student teaching; • Attend a day long mandatory Student Teaching Orientation, which includes meeting the clinical educator; • Complete 14 weeks of student teaching in a placement related to your endorsement area and major; and • Complete all VDOE requirements for state licensure, including required trainings. Gateway 3 - Completion to Student Teaching Students who successfully complete student teaching and are eligible for state licensure must have: • Completed all program course requirements of University of Lynchburg’s approved state licensure program; • Demonstrated effective use of technology; • Completed the following VDOE required trainings*: • Recognition of child abuse and neglect, • Culturally responsive teaching competencies, • Emergency first aid, • Hands-on cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and • Use of automated external defibrillators. • Successful completed of 14 weeks of student teaching; • Earned a minimum of 450 clinical hours during student teaching; • Submitted timesheet documenting student teaching hours; • Received satisfactory scores on the University’s Dispositions Assessment; and • Completed Final Program Evaluation Form (includes program, university supervisor and clinical educator evaluations). Gateway 4 - Completion of Program Students who successfully complete an educator preparation program, meet the requirements for state licensure, and are prepared to apply for state licensure must: • Provide completed application for Virginia teacher’s license; • Submit and provide proof of paid application fee; • Provide documentation of completion of the following VDOE required trainings to the Director of Field Experiences and Teacher Licensure (Teacher Licensure Officer)*: • Recognition of child abuse and neglect, • Culturally responsive teaching competencies, • Emergency first aid, • Hands-on cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and • Use of automated external defibrillators; • Provide official transcripts for all undergraduate/graduate courses from all other institutions of higher education they have attended; and • Complete CELC contact information form. Forms fare available in the administrative office of the College of Education, Leadership, and Counseling, provided to students during student teaching orientation, or available on the VDOE website. *All VDOE trainings and licensure requirements are subject to change based on the state decision."