The Office of Teaching and Certification serves all teacher education students on campus with information on certification-related issues.
The office also supports area cooperating teachers by issuing tuition waivers and cooperating teacher payments.
All candidates for teaching certification are encouraged to keep abreast of policies, procedures, and deadlines for certification. Information on certification in other states can be obtained from each state’s Department of Education website.
The School of Humanities and Sciences at Ithaca College has established the following standards for its programs in teacher education:
Standard 1. Content Knowledge
Demonstrate a rich, thorough understanding of the content and skill knowledge, theories, and issues comprising his/her discipline.
Standard 2. Planning and Instruction/Implementation
Be able to plan and implement effective, developmentally appropriate lessons and curricula based upon sound principles of content knowledge and skill development.
Standard 3. Positive Learning Environment
Create safe and motivational learning environments that encourage all students to become actively involved.
Standard 4. Diversity
Demonstrate and celebrate an understanding of the unique nature, abilities, cultures and characteristics of all learners, and be able to modify instruction so that every student can be succcessful.
Standard 5. Technology
Effectively utilize technology to enhance student learning and professional growth and development.
Standard 6. Assessment
Demonstrate the ability to develop and utilize a variety of assessment tools and techniques designed to evaluate student learning and performance, provide feedback, and shape future lesson planning, programs, and curricula.
Standard 7. Collaboration and Outreach
Foster positive relationships with a variety of target groups (e.g. students, families, colleagues, local community members, etc.) in order to promote and enhance the teaching and learning environment.
Standard 8. Professional Development
Seek to improve his/her knowledge base and effectiveness as a teacher, make positive contributions to the culture of his/her field, and exhibit the professional disposition of an emerging teacher.
Our program standards are based on New York State Education Department learning standards and regulations for the pedagogical core of a teacher education program, as well as the standards established by the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC).
From the INTASC website: INTASC is a consortium of state education agencies and national educational organizations dedicated to the reform of the preparation, licensing, and on-going professional development of teachers. Created in 1987, INTASC's primary constituency is state education agencies responsible for teacher licensing, program approval, and professional development. Its work is guided by one basic premise: An effective teacher must be able to integrate content knowledge with the specific strengths and needs of students to assure that all students learn and perform at high levels.
