Teacher Education Center

ALABAMA EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (AECAP)

AECAP is required by the Alabama State Department. Of Education (ALSDE). The purpose of AECAP Basic Skills Assessments (Praxis Core) is to ensure applicants for teacher certification are competent in Reading, Writing, mathematics.

Additionally, AECAP requires a passing scores on the Praxis content knowledge and the educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA), which are all requirements for initial certification. The cost, dates, and registration procedures are available on the ALSDE website., www.alsde.edu

Students are required to take EDU 100 or EDU 500 Preparation for Admission to Teacher Education as a pre-requisite to taking AECAP exams.

Students also have the option to take EDU 200 Orientation in Education - a course that provides direct instruction for Praxis Core (Reading, Writing & Mathematics).

VISION

Our vision is to work with candidates to improve academically and professionally. We look for the positive aspects of what students bring to us. While the Teacher Education Center aggressively recruits talented candidates who are interested in becoming teachers, we also work diligently to facilitate an environment that fosters positive outcomes. In other words, we guide candidates to set priorities on what is important so that they will graduate, become teachers and continue to be productive citizens in society. WE CARE!

MISSION

The mission of the Teacher Education Center (TEC) is to enhance the preparation of candidates in teacher education. The main source of funding is Title III federal funds. Candidates (prospective teachers) who have declared education as a major must pass many exams and meet rigorous requirements before they are certified to teach.

Provided Services

Information about requirements for becoming a teacher.

Tutoring and resources for Praxis Core, Praxis Subject Areas, and edTPA

Offers EDU 100, a course for admission to the Educator Preparation Program. (EPP)

Standardized tests booklets and resources for prospective teachers.

Laboratory with state-of-the-art software (i.e. Edmentum and Microsoft Office Suite)

Shared Vision

The Conceptual framework for the College of Education (COE) describes the shared vision which provides coherence for both the initial and advanced programs or the preparation of teachers and other professional school personnel. Focusing on the theme “Educator as Decision Maker,” the unit seeks to prepare professional educators who will be capable of applying knowledge and skills, reflecting on and refining practices, and identifying and solving problems in an increasingly diverse, complex, and dynamic technological society.

Development of the Conceptual Framework

The COE’s conceptual framework with the theme “Educator as Decision Maker” dates back to the early 1990’s. It was refined and adopted for the NCATE review in 1998 and again for the review in 2015. Each time, the unit faculty along with representatives from other academic units on campus, from p-12 schools, and from community professionals and stakeholders met in collaborative sessions to review the various components and aspects of the conceptual framework and to discuss and debate changes.

Consistency of the Conceptual Framework with Institutional and Unit Missions

The mission and goals include the provision of “quality programs of undergraduate and graduate instruction, ”public service,” and “research.” Through these programs, “the university provides learning experiences designed to develop students’ intellectual abilities, as well as their social, moral, cultural and ethical values.”

Faculty/Staff

Pearla Griffin: Teacher Education Director (T.E.C.) Director & edTPA Coordinator