Performance Assessment System

Fall 2011 School of Education Admission Requirements

In order for RWU students to declare Education as a major, they must present evidence of having met the basic skills requirement as determined by the Rhode Island Department of Education (R.I.D.E.). The basic skills requirement can be met in the following ways:

On-going Performance Assessment Requirements

The School of Education uses a Performance Assessment System to monitor and evaluate student progress. As part of that system, students develop and maintain an assessment portfolio that is reviewed at each level of the curriculum:

Level I: Exploring the Profession – freshman year 
Level II: Preparing to Teach - sophomore and junior years 
Level III: Performing in the Classroom- senior year

The performance assessment is one of many measures the School of Education uses to evaluate students’ progress toward meeting the Rhode Island Professional Teaching Standards (RIPTS). Matriculation in the program is contingent upon successful performance assessment reviews.

Throughout their programs students plan, develop and experiment with instructional materials and strategies in both the University classroom and public school settings. As students proceed through coursework, they build their performance assessment portfolios, self-assess their pedagogical knowledge and skills and set goals aligned with the RIPTS. Performance assessment evaluations are used to determine whether students are progressing toward meeting the standards and are used to move students from one curriculum level to another. In addition, education students must achieve a GPA of 2.75 or higher to enter Curriculum Level III: Performing in the Classroom.

Field experiences are required in all courses. The Elementary and Secondary programs include a minimum of 100 hours of Practicum and one full semester (14 weeks) of Student Teaching. During Student Teaching, students also enroll in a Student Teaching Seminar.

The State of Rhode Island requires all applicants for certification in Elementary and Secondary Education to pass the state licensure examination(s). Students typically take the licensure examination(s) before they matriculate to Curriculum Level III.

1. All students who have not passed the basic skills requirement and are matriculated in SEd certification track coursework will be considered “undeclared” SEd students. Once students show evidence of meeting the RIDE basic skills requirement, they may formally “declare” Education as a major.
2. The goal for all incoming freshmen is to pass the basic skills requirement by spring advisement period prior to their sophomore year (March, 2012).
3. Elementary Education Students who have not met the basic skills requirement by the beginning of sophomore year can:
   • Declare and graduate with an Educational Studies major* or
   • Declare and matriculate in Educational Studies

     If students show evidence of meeting the basic skills requirement within one semester of sophomore year, they may declare Elementary Education (certification track) or change their major.

4. Secondary Education Students who have not met the basic skills requirement by the beginning of sophomore year, can:
   • Declare and graduate in their FCAS majors; or
   • Declare and matriculate in their FCAS majors

     If students show evidence of meeting the basic skills requirement within one semester of sophomore year, they may declare Secondary Education (certification track).

5. Once undergraduate students are of sophomore standing with 45 earned credits and have not met the basic skills requirement, they cannot matriculate in certification track education courses.

*The Educational Studies Major degree does not lead to teacher certification.