Maine's Ten Standards for Initial Teacher Certification are an essential component of the Conceptual Framework for the University of Maine Farmington (UMF) College of Education, Health and Rehabilitation. All UMF teacher candidates must demonstrate, based on the performance criteria, how they meet the Standards in order to be recommended by UMF for state certification at the time of their graduation.
Standard 1: Demonstrates knowledge of the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline s/he teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful to students.
Standard 2: Demonstrates the ability to integrate concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures among the discipline.
Standard 3: Demonstrates knowledge of the diverse ways in which students develop and learn by providing learning opportunities that support students' intellectual, physical, emotional, and social development.
Standard 4: Plans instruction based upon knowledge and subject matter, students, and curriculum goals.
Standard 5: Understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies and materials and appropriate technologies.
Standard 6: Creates and maintains a classroom environment which supports and encourages learning.
Standard 7: Demonstrates the ability to support students' learning and well being by engaging students, home, school, colleagues, and community.
Standard 8: Understands and uses a variety of formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and support the development of the learner.
Standard 9: Demonstrates an awareness of and commitment to ethical and legal responsibilities of a teacher.
Standard 10: Demonstrates a strong professional ethic and a desire to contribute to the education profession.
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS: Birth through 5 Non-Certification Option
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 Childhood Education: Non-Certification Option must meet the following criteria:
1) pass ENG 100 with a grade of C or higher;
2) pass ECH 192 and ECH 293 with grades of B- or higher; and
3) 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.
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.
Entry Level Professional Courses
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
ECH 201 Language Development, Early Literacy and
Children's Literature* 6
ECH 293 Intermediate Seminar and Practicum in
Early Childhood Education 4
ECH 250 Infants and Toddlers: Development and Care 4
ECH 256 Creative Arts and Technology for the
Young Child* 4
ECH 232 Social Science for the Young Child* 4
ECH 336 Development of Mathematical Concepts in
Young Children* 4
ECH 384 Science Education for Young Children* 4
Advanced Level Professional Courses
ECH 450 Senior Seminar: Research in Early
Childhood Education 4
ECH 490 Internship in Early Childhood
Education 4, 6 or 8
Electives: Choose two (8 credits)
ECH 367 Administration of Early Childhood Programs 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 2 or 4
Credits for the Major: 54
*indicates professional curriculum course
Other Requirements
PSY 225S Child and Adolescent Development 4
ANY course in Early Childhood Special Education 4
Subtotal: 8
Total credits for the Major: 62
Minor/Specialization: Students choosing the Non-Certification option develop an area of specialization through a minimum of 16 credits of coursework across disciplines. Possible specializations include, but are not limited to, the study of schools, working with families, infants and toddlers, or international perspectives on children and families. Students should consult with their advisors in developing their specializations and selecting a set of courses that promotes their professional interests. Alternatively, students may elect to pursue an established minor at UMF.
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS: Birth through 5 Certification Option
State of Maine Requirements for Birth though 5 Certification graduates:
1) a minimum of three credits in social studies in 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.)
2) a minimum of three credits in English. These credits can be earned through the general education English Composition or Humanities requirement.
3) a minimum of three credits in Mathematics. These credits can be earned in part through the general education Math requirement and may be completed with the courses MAT 103M Mathematical Content for Elementary School Teachers I or MAT 104M Mathematical Content for Elementary School Teachers II.
Praxis I
The Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST) are standardized tests of basic skills required by the State of Maine for teacher certification. The PPST consists of three parts (reading, writing, mathematics) and may be taken in either paper and pencil or computerized form. The paper and pencil PPST may be taken at UMF on specified days; the computerized PPST may be taken at commercial testing centers at any time by appointment. In order to achieve Professional Standing in Education, students must pass Praxis I at or above the level established by the State of Maine. The qualifying scores on the PPST are as follows:
Reading 176
Writing 175
Mathematics 175
As an alternative, students must achieve a composite score of 526 on the three sections of the PPST, 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 through 5 Certification Option must meet the following criteria:
1) achieve passing scores on Praxis I (reading, writing, mathematics) 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) and ECH 293 (with a grade
of B- or higher); and
4) 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 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; and
3) earn an accumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
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.
Entry Level Professional Courses
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
ECH 201 Language Development, Early Literacy and
Children's Literature* 6
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
ECS 103 Introduction to Teaching Inclusive
Early Childhood Special Education 4
Electives: - Choose three (12 credits)
ECH 232 Social Science for the Young Child* 4
ECH 336 Development of Mathematical Concepts in
Young Children* 4
ECH 384 Science Education for Young Children* 4
Advanced Level Professional Courses
ECH 450 Senior Seminar: Research in Early
Childhood Education 4
ECH 490 Internship in Early Childhood
Education 4, 6, or 8
Electives: Choose two (8 credits)
ECH 367 Administration of Early Childhood Programs 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 2 or 4
Credits for the Major: 56
*indicates professional curriculum course
Other Requirements
PSY 225S Child and Adolescent Development 4
ANY course in Early Childhood Special Education 4
Subtotal: 8
Total credits for the Major: 64
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS: K-3 Option
State of Maine Requirements for K-3 Certification graduates:
1) a minimum of three credits in social studies in 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.)
2) a minimum of three credits in English. These credits can be earned through the general education English Composition or Humanities requirement.
3) a minimum of three credits in Mathematics. These credits can be earned in part through the general education Math requirement and may be completed with the courses MAT 103M Mathematical Content for Elementary School Teachers I or MAT 104M Mathematical Content for Elementary School Teachers II.
Praxis I
The Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST) are standardized tests of basic skills required by the State of Maine for teacher certification. The PPST consists of three parts (reading, writing, mathematics) and may be taken in either paper and pencil or computerized form. The paper and pencil PPST may be taken at UMF on specified days; the computerized PPST may be taken at commercial testing centers at any time by appointment. In order to enroll in EDU 202 or achieve Professional Standing in Education, students must pass Praxis I at or above the level established by the State of Maine. The qualifying scores on the PPST are as follows:
Reading 176
Writing 175
Mathematics 175
As an alternative, students must achieve a composite score of 526 on the three sections of the PPST, 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 K-3 Certification Option must meet the following criteria:
1) achieve passing scores on Praxis I (reading, writing, mathematics) 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
4) 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.
Student Teaching
Prior to beginning student teaching, students must meet these additional criteria:
1) achieve passing scores on Praxis I (reading, writing, mathematics) 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) and ECH 293 (with a grade
of B- or higher); and
4) earn an accumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
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.
Entry Level Professional Experiences Required
ECH 150 Introduction and Observation in Early
Childhood Education 4
ECH 192 Introductory Practicum or
ECH 293 Intermediate Seminar and Practicum
in Early Childhood Education 4
Mid-Level Professional Experiences Required
EDU 202 Practicum and Seminar in K-8
Education 4
ECH 232 Social Science for Young Children 4
ECH 250 Infants and Toddlers: Development
and Care 4
ECH 256 Creative Arts and Technology for
the Young Child 4
ECH 336 Development of Mathematical Concepts
in Young Children 4
ECH 384 Science Education for Young Children 4
Advanced Level Professional Experiences Required
EDU 433 Reading, Language Arts and Children's
Literature for K-3 6
ECH 450 Senior Seminar: Research in Early
Childhood Education 4
SED 360 Teaching Exceptional Students in the
Regular Classroom 4
ECH 460 Student Teaching and Seminar in Early
Childhood Education K-3 16
Electives: Choose two (8 credits)
ECH 367 Administration of Early Childhood
Programs 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 Courses
PSY 225S Child and Adolescent Development 4
Additional K-3 endorsement requirements
ENG XXX Elective (Students who have taken
ENG 100 will need to take one additonal
ENG course 4
MAT 103M Mathematical Content for Elementary
School Teachers I 4
MAT 104M Mathematical Content for Elementary
School Teachers II 4
Total credits for the Major: 80
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
Professional Licensure and Certification Notice
Students who are pursuing degrees leading to application for professional licensure or certification, and/or who will be participating in clinical placements, internships, or practica through their UMF program should be aware that their host facility may require a criminal background check, finger printing, and/or drug screening. In such situations, each student is responsible for obtaining and paying for the background check or other screening process and for delivering required documentation to the facility. Although the university will make reasonable efforts to place admitted students in field experiences and internships, it will be up to the host facility to determine whether a student will be allowed to work at that facility. Students should further be aware that a criminal record may jeopardize licensure by the state certification body. Students may consult the certification body corresponding to their intended occupation for more details. Successful completion of a program of study at UMF does not guarantee licensure, certification, or employment in the relevant occupation.
