College of Humanities, Sciences and Technology-Price School of Education

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Dean: Kenneth H. Wheeler, Ph.D.
Office: Tarpley 115
Phone: 770-720-5576
Email: KHW@reinhardt.edu

Associate Dean:
Margaret M. Morlier, Ph.D.
Office: Tarpley 303
Phone: 770-720-5579
Email: MMM@reinhardt.edu

Director of the Price School of Education:
Tami Smith, Ed.S.
Office: Paul Jones 101
Phone: 770-720-5659
E-mail: TJS@reinhardt.edu

Website: https://www.reinhardt.edu/schools-programs/price-school-of-education/

Mission 

The mission of all teacher preparation programs at Reinhardt University is to produce reflective, problem-solving teachers who respond to the diversity of student needs through differentiated instruction driven by ongoing assessment and adjustments within a nurturing environment. Degree Programs The Price School of Education (PSOE) offers Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees in the following education programs:

  • Elementary Education (EE)
  • Middle Grades Education (MGE)
  • Secondary Education – Biology (BIO)
  • Secondary Education – English/Language Arts (ELA)
  • Secondary Education – History Education (HIS)
  • Secondary Education – Mathematics (MAT) A Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.) is offered in the following area:
  • Music Education (P-12)

Note: The Music Education program leads to a Bachelor of Music Education. The degree program is offered collaboratively with the School of Performing Arts and requires separate admission to the School of Performing Arts. Persons choosing to teach in elementary, middle, or high schools elect to major in Elementary Education leading to Pre-Kindergarten through Grade Five (P-5) certification; Middle Grades Education leading to Grades Four through Eight (4-8) certification; or Secondary Education leading to Grades Six through Twelve (6-12) certification in either Biology, English/Language Arts, History, or Mathematics. Music Education leads to certification in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade Twelve (P-12).

Conceptual Framework 

The PSOE teacher education conceptual framework establishes the shared vision in preparing educators to work in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 schools and provides direction for all programs, courses, teaching, teacher candidate performance, scholarship, service, and unit accountability. The conceptual framework is built upon three basic beliefs about teaching:

  1.  Student differences are understood, appreciated, and built upon through respectful, meaningful work in a collaborative, nurturing classroom environment;
  2. Student growth and success are developed through the process of ongoing assessment and adjusted instruction; and
  3. Teachers who are extremely knowledgeable about their subject matter, a variety of wise and flexible instructional practices, and multiple options for student assessment are better equipped to adjust the essential curriculum content, their own instructional practices, and student assessment options to address learner differences within their classrooms. 

The purpose of all PSOE teacher preparation programs is to prepare educators who can create a learning community of care and challenge. This purpose is realized through the Differentiated Approaches to Teaching Assessment (DATA) Instructional Model that describes different approaches for teaching and assessment. The PSOE conceptual framework represents a strong commitment to the preparation of effective teachers who adapt instruction to support students’ diverse learning needs and to maximize student learning.

Teacher Candidate Student Learning Outcomes

To best facilitate the Differentiated Instruction Model, the faculty of the PSOE has established the following domains and PSOE Student Learning Outcomes for all teacher education programs:

Planning for Differentiated Instruction and Assessment

Student Learning Outcome 1: The teacher candidate uses knowledge of curriculum, learner differences, and ongoing assessment data to plan for student access to same essential content. 

Providing Differentiated Instruction and Assessment
Student Learning Outcome 2: The teacher candidate utilizes a variety of strategies to differentiate instruction and provide an academically challenging environment for all students.
 

Impacting Student Learning
Student Learning Outcome 3: The teacher candidate uses systematic formal and informal assessment as an ongoing diagnostic activity to measure student growth and to guide, differentiate, and adjust instruction.

Professional Responsibilities in Support of Differentiated Instruction and Assessment
Student Learning Outcome 4: The teacher candidate displays a professional commitment to the teaching philosophy of differentiated instruction to support students’ diverse learning needs and to maximize learning.

PSOE Admission Requirements

The PSOE has established three admission points throughout its teacher preparation programs where evidence of candidate content, pedagogical and professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions will be reviewed, and decisions made regarding eligibility for the next stage of candidate development. During each stage, candidates will demonstrate proficiency acquisition through a structure of courses that will be common to all candidates in each program.

Prior to Stage I initial admittance to the PSOE, teacher candidates will acquire basic knowledge and understanding of PSOE conceptual framework based on the elements of differentiated instruction. After Stage I admission, coursework will be designed to assist candidates in integrating essential content as well as pedagogical and professional knowledge to plan and implement instruction that will support students’ diverse learning needs. Stage I courses will highlight the PSOE DATA Model for Instruction as a teacher’s response to the needs of academically diverse learners.

Following Stage II admission, candidates will receive scaffolded assistance as they apply the PSOE Student Learning Outcomes in a local classroom practicum setting. After Stage III admission, candidates will independently apply the PSOE Student Learning Outcomes through implementation of the DATA Model during 16 weeks of fulltime teaching in a local school setting.

For Stage I Initial Admittance to the PSOE, all PSOE Candidates must:

  • Complete a minimum of 36 semester credit hours with a grade point average of 2.75.
  • Complete the following courses with a C or higher: ENG 101, ENG 102, COM 108, PSY 101, EDU 225 and EDU 230.
  • Complete the GACE Georgia Educator Ethics Program Exit Assessment: Test 360.
  • Submit a background check to insure a demonstration of consistent ethical behavior.
  • Provide documentation of at least 30 hours of classroom field experience.
  • Demonstrate a professional disposition during general education coursework and field experience.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the PSOE conceptual framework addressing differentiated instruction and assessment.
  • Submit an application for initial admittance to the PSOE. Stage I applications may be obtained from and returned to the Dean’s Office of the PSOE.
  • Complete a successful interview with the PSOE Teacher Education Admissions Committee.

NOTE: Secondary Biology, English/Language Arts, Mathematics, and Music Education students must also complete all program content area courses with a C or higher. Students should see their program coordinator for the specific rubric criteria. In addition to the above criteria, Music Education students must pass the Piano Proficiency Exam in order to be formally admitted to Music Education.

For Stage II Admittance to Clinical Practice, ECE, MGE, and Secondary Education Candidates must:

  • Possess an overall GPA of at least 2.75 with grades of C or higher in all Major Field, Teaching Field, Affiliated Teaching Field, and Professional Education Courses.
  • Provide documentation of at least 30 additional hours of field experience.
  • Demonstrate a professional disposition during Stage I coursework.
  • Submit an application for Stage II admittance to Clinical Practice Courses. Stage II applications may be obtained from and returned to the Clinical Practice Coordinator of the PSOE.

NOTE: Admission to Clinical Practice is not a requirement for Music Education candidates.

For Stage III Admittance to Clinical Residency, All PSOE Candidates Must:

  • Possess an overall GPA of at least 2.75 with grades of C or higher in all Major Field, Teaching Field, Affiliated Teaching Field, and Professional Education Courses.
  • Submit a passing score on both sections of the applicable GACE Content Assessment.
  • Provide documentation of at least 100 hours of field experience.
  • Demonstrate a professional disposition during Stage II coursework and field experience.
  • Demonstrate an appropriate level of application of PSOE Student Learning Outcomes.
  • Demonstrate use and integration of technology.
  • Submit an application for admittance to Clinical Residency. Stage III applications may be obtained from and returned to the Office of the Director of Field Experience.

NOTE: In addition to the above criteria, Music Education candidates must have passed the appropriate GACE Content Assessment and successfully performed their senior recital in order to be approved for Clinical Residency.

Music Education (P-12)

Students must be admitted to the School of Performing Arts and the Price School of Education and meet all specific graduation requirements from both schools. The P-12 program in Music Education leads to a B.M.E. degree. The Music Education degree is accredited by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and leads to teaching certification in the state of Georgia.

PSOE Advisement

Once the program is identified as a major, the Office of the Registrar will notify the Dean’s Office of the Price School of Education, who will assign a permanent advisor. It is extremely important that the advisory relationship be maintained throughout the program as the scheduling of proper courses and sequences and the arranging of internships need to be coordinated.

Academic Integrity

Items 1-6 below are recognized as unacceptable forms of academic behavior at Reinhardt University. Items 7-9 represent additional forms of academic dishonesty established by the Price School of Education.

  1. Plagiarizing: Presenting words or ideas not your own as if they were your own. Three or more words taken directly from another author must be enclosed in quotation marks and documented.
  2. Submitting a paper written by another student or another person as if it were your own.
  3. Submitting a paper written by you for another course or occasion without the explicit knowledge and consent of the instructor.
  4. Fabricating evidence or statistics that supposedly represent your original research.
  5. Cheating of any sort on tests, papers, projects, reports, etc.
  6. Unauthorized use of the password or account number of another student or a faculty member to gain access to computers, data files, or computer output.
  7. Aiding or otherwise enabling another student to engage in any form of academic dishonesty.
  8. Failure to report suspected or obvious incidences of academic dishonesty to the course instructor.
  9. Any other behaviors that violate the spirit of ethical and professional behavior.

Penalties for Academic Dishonesty

In the event of academic dishonesty, according to the definitions (1-9) stated above and whatever additional definition an instructor has indicated in a course syllabus to his or her students, the instructor may do one of the following things, based on his or her assessment of the severity of the infraction and any extenuating circumstances:

  1. Assign a grade of F or 0 on the paper, project, or exam but allow resubmission, resulting in a maximum possible combined grade of C.
  2. Assign a grade of F or 0 on the paper, project, or exam without the opportunity for resubmission.
  3. Assign a grade of F in the course.

Students taking classes in the PSOE and teacher education candidates must understand that academic dishonesty in any form may have consequences beyond the boundaries of one class and may result in denial of admission or dismissal from the PSOE. A student appeals process is available to address grade appeals, denial of admission to the PSOE, and dismissal from the PSOE.

In all cases, the instructor will forward evidence of dishonesty to the Dean of the Price School of Education for review and action. The Dean shall forward evidence of dishonesty and a summary of any action taken to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

PSOE Grade Appeals

A candidate has the right to appeal a grade or evaluation assigned in a course, a field experience, or Clinical Residency only if there is evidence of a capricious change in grading standards or criteria stated in the course syllabus. A student shall receive a decision within a reasonable period of time.

PSOE Grade Appeals Procedures

  1. A candidate who is seriously dissatisfied with a grade should consult with the instructor of the course or the supervisor of field experience/Clinical Residency and ask for clarification. The candidate may also ask his or her advisor for direction.
  2. If the issue is not resolved, the candidate may consult with his or her advisor and may subsequently file an appeal in writing with the Dean of the PSOE. The Dean will then consult with the candidate, the faculty member, and appropriate personnel. (If the appeal is for field experience or Clinical Residency, the Director of Field Experience would be an intermediate step in the process before the Dean.)
  3. The candidate may request a hearing with the faculty member or supervisor, the candidate’s advisor, and the Dean.
  4. If there is still no resolution, the candidate has the option to appeal to the VPAA. The faculty member has the option to appeal to the Faculty Appeals Committee.

PSOE Appeals of Admission/Retention Decisions

A candidate may appeal admission and retention decisions if there has been an irregularity in adhering to the established criteria. These decisions are made by structured faculty committees by following specific guidelines and procedures and are accompanied by specific reasons for denial of admission or retention.

Appeal Procedures

  1. An appeal of an admission or retention decision must be made in writing and received by the Dean within two days of the original decision.
  2. The Dean may elect to make a decision, return the decision to the original faculty committee with recommendations, or may refer it to the Candidate Appeals Committee. The Candidate Appeals Committee will consist of two representatives from the PSOE not involved in the original decision, if possible; two faculty outside the PSOE; and two student candidates. The Dean of the PSOE will appoint the members of this committee.
  3. The candidate may appeal the Candidate Appeals Committee or Dean’s decision to the VPAA for final consideration.