Middle School Education Major

2311 Benjamin Building
Phone: 301-405-3324
http://education.umd.edu/academics/departments/tlpl/

Program Director: Angela Stoltz, Ph.D.

Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership offers an undergraduate curriculum in Middle School Education that leads to the Bachelor of Science degree and prepares teachers for teaching middle-level learners in grades 4-9.

Graduates of the Middle School Education Program (with Math and Science specializations) meet the requirements for Middle School Mathematics and/or Middle School Science certification in Maryland and all states that are affiliated with the Interstate Reciprocity Agreement through the Maryland State Department of Education.

Admission to the Major

Admission to the Teacher Education Professional Program is competitive. Admission procedures and criteria are explained in the College of Education Overview.

Placement in Courses

The Middle School program includes both pre-professional and professional education course work. Before undergraduates may enroll in courses identified as part of the professional sequence, they must complete the selective admissions requirements and be fully admitted to the College of Education's Teacher Education program. Admission procedures and criteria are explained in the College of Education entry. Teacher candidates will not be permitted to enroll in professional sequence courses – including the yearlong internship – prior to completion of the selective admissions requirements and full admission to the College of Education.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Middle School teacher candidates have in-depth knowledge of the subject matter that they teach as described in professional (Association for Middle Level Education – AMLE); state (MSDE); and, institutional standards.
2. Middle School teacher candidates can effectively plan classroom-based instruction or activities for their roles as teachers. Candidates' knowledge, skills, and dispositions are applied effectively in practice.
3. Middle School teacher candidates practice evidence-based decision-making through the use of assessment as well as the critical interpretation of research and inquiry in order to improve educational practice. They accurately assess and analyze student learning, make appropriate adjustments to instruction, monitor student learning, and have a positive effect on learning for all students.
4. Middle School teacher candidates demonstrate understanding of learners and their social and cultural contexts with a global perspective and intentional sensitivity to other cultures. They are able to work with students, families, and communities in ways that reflect the dispositions expected of professional educators as delineated in professional (AMLE); state (MSDE); and, institutional standards.
5. Middle School teacher candidates competently integrate technology in instruction to support student learning and develop data-driven solutions for instructional and school improvement. They demonstrate proficiency in each of the seven Maryland Teacher Technology Standards.

All Teacher Education Programs have designated pre-professional courses and a specified sequence of professional courses. Before undergraduates may enroll in professional education course requirements they must be fully admitted to the College of Education's Teacher Education Program. An overall grade point average of 2.75 must be maintained after admission to Teacher Education. All teacher candidates are required to obtain satisfactory evaluations on the College of Education Foundational Competencies/Technical Standards and to attain qualifying scores for the State of Maryland on the Praxis I and Praxis II assessments. Praxis I is required for admission, and Praxis II is required for the teaching internship and graduation. The culminating experience of the program is the yearlong internship, which takes place in a Collaborating School (i.e., partner school, PDS - Professional Development School).

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For the General Education Professional Writing requirement, students may choose any approved course; however, ENGL398L is recommended as it best aligns with the major.

Other Requirements for the Major

An overall grade point average of 2.75 must be maintained after admission to Teacher Education.  All teacher candidates are required to obtain satisfactory evaluations on the College of Education Foundational Competencies/Model Code of Ethics for Educators standards and to attain qualifying scores for the State of Maryland on a test of basic skills (http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/about/Pages/DEE/Certification/testing_info/praxis1.aspx) and Praxis II assessments.  The test of basic skills is required for admission, and Praxis II is required for the teaching internship and graduation.  The culminating experience of the program is the yearlong internship, which takes place in a public school PDS setting.

Click here for roadmaps for graduation plans in the College of Education.

Additional information on developing a graduation plan can be found on the following pages:

• http://4yearplans.umd.edu
• the Student Academic Success-Degree Completion Policy section of this catalog

Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership - Middle School (TLPL)

Internships

The yearlong internship, which is the culminating experience in the teacher preparation program, takes place in a public school setting.

Scholarships and Financial Assistance

The Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) administers all types of federal, state and institutional financial assistance programs and, in cooperation with other university offices, participates in the awarding of scholarships to deserving students. For information, visit: http://financialaid.umd.edu.

The College of Education also offers a number of scholarships. For more information, see: http://education.umd.edu/admissions/financial-aid-scholarships/.