BS in Health Education with a Concentration in School Health Education
The concentration in School Health Education prepares students for Vermont Agency of Education Level I Teacher Licensure in Health Education PreK-12. The concentration offers field experiences in local schools that focus on the skill, knowledge, and understanding necessary to be successful in contemporary educational settings. The department is strongly committed to a standards-based approach with high expectations for students' effort, achievement, and behavior.
Students completing this program are expected to demonstrate skills, including, but not limited to:
- The ability to organize, develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive health education program (pre K-12 curriculum) that includes the following Vermont health core concept areas: alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; samily, social, and sexual health; mental and emotional health; nutrition and physical activity; personal health and wellness; and violence and injury prevention.
- The ability to develop and implement an assessment plan consistent with national and state standards.
- The ability to develop accommodations for a health education program to meet the needs of all individuals. This includes an understanding of applicable laws, policies, and procedures.
Students seeking licensure
Students seeking licensure are responsible for developing a portfolio throughout their undergraduate experience demonstrating individual learning and growth as well as the ways in which the individual course work and field experiences foster proficiency in meeting the Vermont standards for teacher preparation. Integral field experiences ensure that the student becomes part of a collaborative relationship in a school setting. Field experiences become more complex as students advance in the program, culminating in a semester-long student teaching experience. A minimum of 80 scheduled hours of field experience is required prior to student teaching.
Students seeking the BS.HED.ESE must pass through Gateways I and II in order to qualify for student teaching.
Requirements for Gateway I include:
- Receive a positive recommendation encouraging continuation in the program;
- Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.75;
- Earn a minimum within the major GPA of 2.75;
- Make progress towards completion of the General Education Program;
- Submit electronic portfolio evidence completed in PED 2420 and HED 2310 that demonstrates progress in the student's understanding of an effective teaching and learning environment and evidence of a commitment to one's personal development as a future professional;
- Pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills Test for Educators or meet the alternative SAT score requirements.
Following completion of Gateway I, emphasis will be on completing the requirements of the school health education major track as well as honing pedagogical expertise in the field and classroom. Prospective teacher candidates will also continue to build their electronic portfolios documenting an understanding of the central connections between content and pedagogy.
Requirements for Gateway II include:
- Complete the department's application to student teach the semester before enrolling in student teaching;
- Pass the first portion of their electronic portfolio, which includes evidence indicated by the Physical Education Department;
- Have completed all health education major and general education coursework or obtain permission from the Teacher Education Program Coordinator
- Earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and earn a GPA of 3.0 within the health education major or written certification of intellectual competence by an Academic Dean;
- Receive a recommendation from members of the faculty to continue in the teacher education program.
- Through related coursework, complete a minimum of 80 hours of supervised field experience;
- Pass the ETS Praxis II examination in Health Education content knowledge.
Upon completion of Health Education Gateway II, students may be accepted into the student teaching practicum.
Teacher Licensure (preK-12):
To be recommended for licensure by the State of Vermont, a student must:
- Successfully complete and graduate from an approved program.
- Receive a grade of "B" or better in Student Teaching I and Student Teaching II and a "pass" in HED 4510 .
- Maintain a GPA of 3.0 and a B average (GPA of 3.0) in the field of major studies.
- Meet the required standard for the licensure portfolio.
- Exemplify in conduct and attitude the maturity, judgment, ethical standards, and dedication expected in the teaching profession.
- Pass the Praxis II examination in health education content knowledge.
Students wishing to work towards teacher licensure in preK-12 Health Education must apply and be accepted into Health Education Gateway II.
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