Center for the Preparation of Education Professionals

TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM (TEP)

ADMISSION TO TEP RELATED LINKS
-TEP HANDBOOK (pdf)
  Requires Adobe Reader (free download)
-TEP Application
-TEP Calendar
-TEP FRAMEWORK
-Illinois Professional Teaching Standards
-Core Language Arts Standards for all  Teachers
-Technology Standards for all Teachers
-Background Investigation
-Appeals
-Candidate Dispositions
-Task Stream
-Illinois Certification Testing System
-Technology Competency Assessment

Candidates apply for the Teacher Education Program (TEP) during the second semester of their sophomore year. At this point, a candidate has accumulated 30-45 semester hours of course work. (See TEP HANDBOOK). Candidates for initial teacher certification within the State of Illinois must be U.S. Citizens or contact the Certification Officer concerning citizenship requirements related to certification.

Full acceptance to TEP is required for enrollment in a number of education courses.

Requirements: To be fully accepted to the Teacher Education Program, the following conditions must be met:

  1. A positive recommendation from major department advisors/designee through submission of an acceptable Reflective Paper #1. Candidates must submit their first reflective paper to their major department (must also submit a copy with TEP application).  
  2. Satisfactory completion of 30 semester hours of approved course work.
  3. Completion of Eng 180 and 280 with a grade of C or better.  A transferred course equivalent must have a C grade or better.
  4. Completion of Comm 241 with a grade of C or better. A transferred course equivalent must have a C grade or better.
  5.  Acquire the required major and cumulative grade point average for the program: 2.75 required for Elementary, Early Childhood, Bilingual, Special Education and History majors.  2.50 required for Agriculture, English, Mathematics, Science/Biology-Chemistry-Physics, Art, French, Music, Physical Education, and Spanish.
  6. Completion of general education math course with a grade of C or above (MATH 101, 102, 106 and 206*, 123, 133, 134, 137, 138, 139 or STAT 171 (see advisor for specific course requirements for major).  (MATH 106 and 206 only approved for early childhood, elementary, bilingual and special education majors.  The sequence of 106/206 counts as 3 hours of General Education credit for the above named majors only).
  7. Satisfactory personal interview with the Selection, Retention and Appeals Committee if requested by the committee.
  8. Candidates must pass the Illinois Certification Test of Basic Skills. The test covers math, reading, grammar and writing.  This test is offered seven times each year.  Test dates, registration information and study guides are available on the ICTS  website, http://www.icts.nesinc.com.  Test preparation information is available on the CPEP website http://www.wiu.edu/CPEP/icts_test_taking_preparation.html.
  9. Teacher education candidates are expected to comply with the Illinois State Police and FBI fingerprint background investigation requirements as set forth by the University Teacher Education Program.  Prior to any field work in schools/agencies, candidates are to supply verification of having completed both an Illinois State Police and FBI fingerprint background investigation through the Center for the Preparation of Education Professionals or at the time of admittance to TEP, whichever comes first.  Candidates may be prohibited from completing field work if background investigations disclose arrests and/or convictions deemed problematic.  Information may be obtained in Horrabin Hall 91; questions may be directed to Melissa (Missy) Phillips, Director of Advising and Certification Officer, 309/298-2117.
    1. In addition to the background investigations the National Sex Offender and the Illinois State Police Child Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth registries will be checked.
  10. Pass Teacher Education Technology Competency Assessment http://www.wiu.edu/TCA. (A non-refundable charge will be applied)
  11. Portfolio requirement where applicable.  Check with advisor

Applicants may be requested to complete additional screening tests or to meet with the Selection, Retention and Appeals Committee.

Action:
The individual applying for TEP may be:

  1. Granted Full Acceptance
    Note: Once an individual has been fully accepted into TEP, he/she must maintain the required: 2.5 cumulative GPA and 2.5 major GPA OR required 2.75 cumulative and 2.75 major GPA for history, elementary, early childhood, bilingual and special education majors.

    Individuals dropping below requirements will be placed in "Conditional Status" for only one semester. This means the individual will not be permitted to enroll in EIS 401 or ECH 474 (for Early Childhood majors) or be permitted to apply to student teach or student teach.

  2. Granted Conditional Acceptance
    Note: Students with conditional acceptance will not be allowed to enroll in EIS 401 or ECH 474 (for Early Childhood majors) or be permitted to apply to student teach or student teach.

    Persons granted conditional acceptance will be reviewed the following semester if full acceptance has not been achieved by that time. Persons not making satisfactory progress from conditional to full acceptance will be DENIED from the TEP after the second semester and will not be allowed to enroll in EIS 401 or ECH 474 (for Early Childhood majors) or be permitted to apply to student teach or student teach.

    Note: Students may be advised to consider a career change.

  3. Denied
    Note: Students denied will not be allowed to enroll in EIS 401 or ECH 474 (for Early Childhood majors) or be permitted to apply to student teach or student teach.

    Denied applicants may reapply at a later date or request a review of their case by Selection, Retention, and Appeals Committee.

    Note: Students may be advised to consider a career change.