University of Maine at Farmington 2014-2015 Catalog
 
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Context

Early Childhood Education
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Degree Earned
Bachelor of Science: Early Childhood Education

The University of Maine at Farmington prepares caring teachers, competent educators and confident professionals, grounded in the arts and sciences, who will become the educational leaders of the 21st century.

Learning Goals:
 
Philosophy, Purposes and Goals:
 
Our candidates will become the educational leaders of the 21st century who are caring teachers, competent educators and confident professionals (C3TEP). These guiding principles and beliefs reflect the ideals we hold for ourselves, our candidates, and the students and communities with whom they will work.
 
Caring Teachers:
  • Build respectful relationships
  • Create communities of learners
  • Support and encourage successful learning for all students
  • Honor and respond to differences
  • Utilize knowledge of human development
 Competent Educators:
  • Design, plan, implement and evaluate instruction
  • Use best practices for instruction and assessment
  • Know content and strategies for integration
  • Communicate clearly and effectively
  • Solve problems creatively and constructively
  • Use the tools of a changing world
 Confident Professionals:
  • Collaborate effectively with families, communities, and colleagues
  • Practice reflective, self-directed, life-long learning
  • Demonstrate a commitment to ethical and legal responsibilities
  • Contribute to and lead in diverse societies
 
Maine Standards for Initial Teacher Certification
 
Our essential goals and purposes are embodied in the Maine’s Common Core Teaching Standards:

Learner Development

Standard 1.) Learner Development:

The teacher understands how students learn and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.

Standard 2.) Learning Differences:

The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that allow each learner to reach his or her full potential.

Standard 3.) Learning Environments:

The teacher works with learners to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, encouraging positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self motivation.

Content

Standard 4.) Content Knowledge:

The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners.

Standard 5.) Innovative Applications of Content:

The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical/creative thinking, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.

Instructional Practice

Standard 6.) Assessment:

The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to document learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s on-going planning and instruction.

Standard 7.) Planning for Instruction:

The teacher draws upon knowledge of content areas, cross-disciplinary skills, learners, the community and pedagogy to plan instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals.

Standard 8.) Instructional Strategies:

The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to access and appropriately apply information.

Professional Responsibility

Standard 9.) Reflection and Continuous Growth:

The teacher is a reflective practitioner who uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (students, families, and other professionals in the learning community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.

Standard 10.) Collaboration:

The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.

      Technology

Standard 11.) Technology Standards for Teachers – (ISTE):

Effective teachers model and apply the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) as they design, implement, and assess learning experiences to engage students and improve learning; enrich professional practice; and provide positive models for students, colleagues, and the community.

 

Assessment Criteria:
Within the context of each program, candidates are evaluated based on important knowledge, skills and dispositions in the areas of:
  • Content Knowledge
  • Effective Planning
  • P-12 Learning
  • Diversity
  • Dispositions
  • Technology
  • Curriculum Planning, Instruction, and Assessment as demonstrated in Student Teaching or Internship
  • Achievement of Standards
 
Major Requirements
 
Students may choose among three options. The standard program, Early Education and Care (Non-Certification) option, prepares students for work with young children and their families across a range of early childhood settings. Alternatively, students may elect to enroll in additional courses leading to an additional teaching endorsement. The Birth to 5 (Certification) option leads to Maine Teacher Certification (081 Endorsement), which allows graduates to teach in a variety of early childhood settings, including inclusive pre-kindergarten classrooms located in public schools. The K-3 Education (Certification) option leads to Maine Teacher Certification (029 Endorsement in Early Elementary), preparing graduates to teach in inclusive classrooms from kindergarten to third grade. Students wishing to become certified in both Birth through 5 and K-3 should discuss this option with their advisor.
 
FINGERPRINTING

Students entering ALL UMF Teacher Education programs ( ECH, ECS, ELE, SEC/Middle, SED, and School Health)  must be fingerprinted and have a Criminal History Record Check prior to their first practicum.

 

REQUIREMENTS for EARLY EDUCATION and CARE (Non-Certification) OPTION

Entry Level Professional Courses (8 credits)

ECH 150  Introduction and Observation in Early Childhood Education 4
ECH 192  Introductory Practicum and Seminar in Early Childhood Education 4

Mid-Level Professional Courses (30 credits)
 
ECH 201  Language Development, Emergent Literacy and Children's Literature*
6
ECH 232  Social Science for the Young Child* 4
ECH 250  Infants and Toddlers: Development and Care
4
ECH 256  Creative Arts and Technology for the Young Child*
4
ECH 293  Intermediate Practicum and Seminar in Early Childhood Education 4
ECH 336  Development of Mathematical Concepts in Young Children*
4
ECH 384  Science Education for Young Children*
4
 
Advanced Level Professional Courses (8-12 credits)
 
ECH 450  Senior Seminar: Research in Early Childhood Education
4
ECH 490  Internship in Early Childhood Education
4, 6, or 8

 *must take additional advanced ECH courses if ECH 490 is taken for less than 8 credits

 
Electives (8 credits) Choose Two Courses:
 
ECH 367  Administration of Early Childhood Programs
4
ECH 402  Diverse Programming in Early Childhood Environments  
ECH 420  Planning Environments for Young Children
4
ECH 430  Theories of Learning and Curriculum Development
4
ECH 440  Children, Families and Communities
 4
ECH 477  Special Topics in Early Childhood Education
1-4

*indicates professional curriculum course

Other Requirements (8 credits)
 
PSY 225S Child and Adolescent Development (C- or better required) 4
ANY course in Early Childhood Special Education 4
 
 
Total Credits for the Major: 66
 
 
Minor/Specialization (16 credits)

Students choosing the Early Education and Care (Non-Certification) option must develop a specialization which is composed of one additional ECH course, and 12 credits of additional elective courses from any the following academic disciplines: psychology, health, special education, business or honors for a minimum of 16 credits. Students should consult with their advisors to select courses that promote their professional interests.

Alternatively, students may elect to pursue an established minor at UMF.

Please note that students in the Early Education and Care Track are not required to take the Praxis exams.
 
Professional Standing in Education
In order to enroll in professional education courses at the 300-level or above, students must earn Professional Standing in Education. To be eligible for Professional Standing, students selecting the Early Education and Care  (Non-Certification) Option must meet the following criteria:
  1. pass ENG 100 with a grade of C or higher;
  2. pass ECH 192  with a grade of B- or higher
  3. pass ECH 293 with a grade of B- or higher; and
  4. earn an accumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Internships
Prior to beginning internships, students must meet these additional criteria:

  1. complete all required professional curriculum courses with grades of C- or higher;
  2. earn an accumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
  3. Students must pass ECH 490 with a B- or better
Graduation
Students must have grades of C- or higher in their professional education courses while attaining an accumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher to graduate.

General Electives (0-22 credits)

Students must take up to 22 credits of general electives which may include a minor of their choosing selected from the UMF catalog.

General Education Requirements

For specific information about general education requirements and expectations, see the General Education Requirements in the Academic Programs section of this catalog.

MINIMUM TOTAL CREDITS FOR THE DEGREE: 128

 

 

 
REQUIREMENTS for BIRTH to 5 EDUCATION (Certification) OPTION
 
Entry Level Professional Courses  (8 credits)
 
ECH 150 Introduction and Observation in Early Childhood Education 4
ECH 192 Introductory Practicum and Seminar in Early Childhood Education 4
 
Mid-Level Professional Courses (34 credits)
 
ECS 103 Introduction to Teaching Inclusive Early Childhood Special Education  
or    
ECS 307 Addressing Developmental Differences of Young Children 4
ECH 201 Language Development, Emergent Literacy and Children's Literature* 6
ECH 232 Social Science for the Young Child* 4
ECH 250 Infants and Toddlers: Development and Care 4
ECH 256 Creative Arts and Technology for the Young Child* 4
ECH 293 Intermediate Practicum and Seminar in Early Childhood Education 4
ECH 336 Development of Mathematical Concepts in Young Children* 4
ECH 384 Science Education for Young Children* 4
 
Advanced Level Professional Courses (12 credits)
 
ECH 450 Senior Seminar: Research in Early Childhood Education                        4
ECH 490 Internship in Early Childhood Education  4, 6, or 8
*must take additional advanced ECH courses if ECH 490 is taken for less than 8 credits
 

Electives (8 credits)Choose Two Courses:

  
ECH 367   Administration of Early Childhood Programs 4
ECH 402   Diverse Programming in Early Childhood Environments 4
ECH 420   Planning Environments for Young Children 4
ECH 430   Theories of Learning and Curriculum Development 4
ECH 440   Children, Families and Communities 4
ECH 477   Special Topics in Early Childhood Education    1-4

*indicates professional curriculum course

Other Requirements (4 credits)
PSY 225S Child and Adolescent Development (C- or better required)
 4

 

Total Credits for the Major: 66

 

Maine State Certification Requirements:

These credits can be earned through general education requirements.

  1. Three credits in ENG courses in ENG 100 or an English course with an H designation.

  2. Three credits in mathematics courses, typically MAT 103M or MAT 104M.

  3. Three credits in social studies from the following disciplines: anthropology, geography, history, economics, or political science.  (Psychology, Sociology and Women's Studies courses do NOT fulfill this State requirement.)

 

PRAXIS CORE ACADEMIC SKILLS FOR EDUCATORS TEST: REQUIRED FOR TEACHER CERTIFICATION (Birth-5 Certification and/or K-3 Certification)

The Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Tests are standardized tests of basic skills required by the state of Maine for teacher certification. The Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Tests include reading, writing, and mathematics. These computerized tests may be taken at UMF or commercial testing centers at any time by appointment. Students must pass all three parts of the test at the level established by the State of Maine in order to attain professional standing in education. Transfer applicants with more than 30 credits must also provide proof of passing all three Core Academic Skills for Educators Tests when applying for admission into the Birth to Five Certification or the K-3 Certification tracks. The qualifying scores are as follows:

Reading 156
Writing 162
Mathematics 150

As an alternative, students may achieve a composite score of 468 on the three tests, with no single score on any section being more than three points lower than the required score listed above.

Professional Standing in Education

In order to enroll in professional education courses at the 300-level or above, students must earn Professional Standing in Education. To be eligible for Professional Standing, students selecting the Birth to 5 Education (Certification) Option must meet the following criteria:

  1. achieve passing scores on Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Test at or above the level established by the State of Maine;
  2. pass ENG 100 with a grade of C or higher;
  3. pass ECH 192 with a grade of B- or higher
  4. pass ECH 293 with a grade of B- or higher; and
  5. earn an accumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Praxis II
Students must pass the Praxis II 0021 exam: Education of Young Children at or above the level established by the State of Maine (166) prior to Internship and for teacher certification.

Internship
Prior to beginning internships, students must meet these additional criteria:

  1. complete all required professional curriculum courses (see Major Requirements) with grades of C- or higher;
  2. pass the Praxis II 0021 exam: Education of Young Children at or above the level established by the State of Maine (166); and
  3. earn an accumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
  4. Students must pass ECH 490 with a B- or better.

Graduation
Students must have grades of C- or higher in their professional education courses while attaining an accumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher to graduate.

General Electives (22 credits)

Students must take 22 credits of general electives which may include a minor of their choosing selected from the UMF catalog.

General Education Requirements

For specific information about general education requirements and expectations, see the General Education Requirements in the Academic Programs section of this catalog.

MINIMUM TOTAL CREDITS FOR THE DEGREE: 128

 

 

REQUIREMENTS for K-3 EDUCATION (Certification) OPTION

Entry Level Professional Courses (8 credits)
 
ECH 150
Introduction and Observation in Early Childhood Education
 4
ECH 192 Introductory Practicum and Seminar in Early Childhood Education  
or    
ECH 293 Intermediate Practicum and Seminar in Early Childhood Education            4
 
Mid-Level Professional Experiences Required (30 credits)
 
EDU 202 Practicum and Seminar in K-8 Education (K-3) 4
ECH 232 Social Science for the Young Child 4
ECH 250 Infants and Toddlers: Development and Care 4
ECH 256 Creative Arts and Technology for the Young Child 4
EDU 333 Reading, Language Arts, and Children's Literature in Grades K-3 6
ECH 336 Development of Mathematical Concepts in Young Children                             4
ECH 384 Science Education for Young Children 4

Advanced Level Professional Experiences Required (24 credits)

ECH 450 Senior Seminar: Research in Early Childhood Education 4
SED 360 Teaching Children with Learning and Behavior Problems in the 4
  Regular Classroom  
ECH 460 Student Teaching and Seminar in Early Childhood Education K-3                  16

 

Electives (8 credits) Choose Two Courses:

  
ECH 367  Administration of Early Childhood Programs 4
ECH 402  Diverse Programming in Early Childhood Environments 4
ECH 420  Planning Environments for Young Children 4
ECH 430  Theories of Learning and Curriculum Development 4
ECH 440  Children, Families and Communities  4
ECH 477  Special Topics in Early Childhood Education 1-4
 
Additional Requirements (16 credits)
 
PSY 225S Child and Adolescent Development (C- or better required)
4
English Elective
4
MAT 103M Mathematical Content for Elementary School Teachers I
(or approved equivalent)
4
MAT 104M Mathematical Content for Elementary School Teachers II
(or approved equivalent)
4

 

Total credits for the Major: 86

 
Maine State Certification Requirements:
  1. Six credits in ENG courses (typically ENG 100 and one additional ENG course). Graduates must have a humanities course (H) to meet a General Education requirement. Students may fulfill both requirements with a single ENG "H" course. Alternately, students may take two courses: (1) an ENG writing or grammar (non-H) course and (2) a philosophy, religion, honors, or foreign language course with an H designation.
     
  2. Six credits in mathematics courses, typically MAT 103 and MAT 104.
     
  3. Six credits in science courses.
     
  4. Six credits in social studies from two of the following disciplines: anthropology, geography, history, economics, or political science. These credits can be earned through general education requirements. (Psychology, Sociology and Women's Studies courses do NOT fulfill this State requirement.)

Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Test: Required for Teacher Certification (Birth-5 Certification and/or K-3 Certification)

The Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Tests are standardized tests of basic skills required by the state of Maine for teacher certification. The Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Tests include reading, writing, and mathematics. These computerized tests may be taken at UMF or commercial testing centers at any time by appointment. Students must pass all three parts of the test at the level established by the State of Maine in order to attain professional standing in education. Transfer applicants with more than 30 credits must also provide proof of passing all three Core Academic Skills for Educators Tests when applying for admission into the Birth to Five Certification or the K-3 Certification tracks. The qualifying scores are as follows:

Reading 156
Writing 162
Mathematics 150

As an alternative, students may achieve a composite score of 468 on the three tests, with no single score on any section being more than three points lower than the required score listed above.

Please note that students in the Early Education and Care Track are not required to take the Praxis exams.

Professional Standing in Education
In order to enroll in professional education courses at the 300-level or above, students must earn Professional Standing in Education. To be eligible for Professional Standing, students selecting the K-3 Education (Certification) Option must meet the following criteria:

1) achieve passing scores on Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Test at or above the level established by the State of Maine;
2) pass ENG 100 with a grade of C or higher;
3) pass ECH 192 (with a grade of B- or higher) or ECH 293 (with a grade of B- or higher);
4) pass EDU 202; and
5) earn an accumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Praxis II
Students must pass the Praxis II 0021 exam: Education of Young Children at or above the level established by the State of Maine (166).

Student Teaching
Prior to beginning student teaching, students must meet these additional criteria:

1) Complete all required professional education courses with a grade of C- or higher.
2) Achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
3) Pass Praxis II 00021 Education of Young Children at or above the level established by the State of Maine (166).

Graduation
Students must have grades of C- or higher in their professional education courses while attaining an accumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher to graduate.

General Education Requirements
For specific information about general education requirements and expectations, see the General Education Requirements in the Academic Programs section of this catalog.

MINIMUM TOTAL CREDITS FOR THE DEGREE: 128

 
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