University of Hawaii at Hilo Catalog 2011-2012

The Teacher Education Program (TEP)

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The Teacher Education Program at UH Hilo is designed to prepare teacher candidates for a license issued by the State of Hawaiʻi, either at the elementary (grades K-6) or secondary (grades 7–12) level. Secondary licensure is approved by licensure content area. The UH Hilo Education Department secondary licensure content areas are: Agriculture, Art, Computer Education, English, Hawaiian, Japanese, Mathematics, Physical Education, Science, Social Studies (includes Hawaiian Studies), Spanish, and Speech.

Goals for Student and Candidate Learning in the Teacher Education Program

TEP graduates will be recommended for state licensure, receive a Certificate in Teacher Education, and be able to:

  • Engage students in appropriate experiences that support their development as independent learners
  • Create and maintain a safe and positive learning environment
  • Provide learning opportunities that are inclusive and adapted to diverse learners
  • Foster effective communication in the learning environment
  • Demonstrate knowledge of content
  • Design and provide meaningful learning experiences
  • Use active student learning strategies
  • Use appropriate assessment strategies
  • Demonstrate professionalism
  • Foster parent and school community relationships

Admission to the TEP Program in elementary and secondary fields is for Fall entry only, and enables a cohort of full-time teacher candidates to complete instructional and field experiences together during the Fall and Spring semesters. Applicants must have completed all degree and required Content Preparation courses listed above prior to the Fall semester entry into the program.

To be admitted into the Teacher Education Program, students must:

  • Take the appropriate Content Preparation and Initial Education courses.
  • Apply and be accepted to the TEP Program. Students must present passing scores on certain PRAXIS tests at that time. Details on admission criteria are provided below.
  • Take the appropriate courses required of candidates who have been admitted to the TEP Program.

The priority deadline for admission for Fall is February 1. Applications submitted after the Feb 1st deadline will be considered on a space available basis pending the acceptance of qualified applicants who meet the priority deadline.

Applicants will be evaluated competitively on the following criteria:

  1. Completion of application packet (available at the UH Hilo Admissions Office or the Education Department Office)
  2. Completion of bachelor degree and designated Initial Education Content Preparation and Pre-TEP Education course requirements
  3. Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 at time of application.
  4. Passing scores established by the State of Hawaiʻi on the PRAXIS Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) or Computer Pre-Professional Skills Test (C-PPST). PRAXIS test registration and State of Hawaiʻi passing scores are available at www.ets.org/praxis
  5. Assessment of Pre-TEP course performance
  6. Letters of Recommendation

Additional requirements for admission to the Teacher Education Program include:

  1. Interview with Education faculty, if deemed necessary.
  2. For elementary TEP applicants, minimum GPA of 2.75, and minimum GPA of 2.75 for Pre-TEP Content Preparation courses.
  3. For secondary TEP applicants, minimum major GPA of 2.75 or passing scores established by the State of Hawaiʻi on the appropriate Subject Area PRAXIS.
  4. For secondary TEP applicants, passing scores established by the State of Hawaiʻi on the Content Knowledge component of the appropriate Subject Area PRAXIS, except in those subject areas where no PRAXIS exam is offered.