School of Education: Childhood Education

Xavier University’s Childhood Education Programs are dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and to the orderly discussion of critical issues confronting educators in a free, inquiry-based environment committed to current and relevant scholarship and research related to our profession. Xavier University seeks to create awareness of social justice in all disciplines through its emphasis on living the Jesuit tradition of intellectual, moral, and spiritual preparation. The candidates in the Early Childhood and Middle Childhood programs, through their academic and professional training, are prepared to value the lives of children regardless of racial, linguistic, socio-economic, religious, or ethnic background and to work with and value family and school structures in both urban, rural, and suburban settings. Special attention is given to developmentally effective practices and advocacy for all children, with ethical issues and values as expressed through the Jesuit tradition. Thus, the Childhood Education Programs at Xavier University strives to send out into the education community candidates who are morally sensitive to the academic and social needs of our time, foster an appreciation for human diversity, reason critically, and think creatively. Candidates in Childhood Education are encouraged to develop and maintain a disposition toward lifelong learning in the profession of education and to the service of their students and their students’ families and communities.

Childhood Education offers teacher licensure programs approved by the Ohio Department of Education as listed under Teacher Licensure below, and awards the Bachelor of Science degrees in Early Childhood and Middle Childhood. Students in Montessori Education may also receive the early childhood license from the Ohio Department of Education. Updates and/or changes to licensure are dictated by the State of Ohio and may supersede the requirements listed for licensure in this catalog.

The Master of Education degree is available in many concentrations. See the “Master of Education ” section for the list of options. Students who do not meet acceptable performance standards in coursework or field experiences may be excluded from specific programs. See School of Education: Reading and School of Education: Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

The following pages outline the requirement for these licenses. Specific brochures on these programs are available and give suggested sequences of courses and rules for admission to the program. Please note that courses required for licensure which are more than 10 years old may need to be repeated.

Note: The University is not obliged to recommend licensure of any type on the basis of the completion of a Master of Education degree or specific course work in education. Students must also meet leadership, communication, and character requirements and pass the required Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) tests of the State Department of Education for each specific license.

With the passage of Ohio Senate Bill 216, the early childhood P-3 teaching license will be replaced with a new P-5 license, with courses of study beginning in 2020. During the 2019-20 academic year, we will continue to research best practices and make course adjustments to align with the new license requirements. Students entering the early childhood major this year can expect a clear transition to the P-5 license and Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (P-5). Students who entered early childhood in 2018-19 may transition to the P-5 license. Students who entered prior to 2018-19 are eligible for the Early Childhood Generalist 4-5 Endorsement if they wish to add 4-5 to the P-3 license.

Teacher Education Program Steps for Admission and Continual Progress for Licensure in the Following Programs: Early Childhood, Early Childhood/Montessori, Middle Childhood*

Xavier University candidates for initial licensure in early childhood and middle childhood education must meet specific standards for entrance into the University, the major, student teaching, and the provisional license for the teaching profession. Steps must be successfully completed sequentially for licensure recommendation by the School of Education.

Step One: Admission to Xavier University

Student is accepted into the University: Grade point average and ACT or SAT scores considered.
Student declares major as early childhood education or middle childhood education.
When field experience placements begin and annually thereafter, a BCI/FBI background check and TB (Tuberculosis Skin Test) test are required.

Step Two: Admission to Program

Completion of Step One.
Student completes EDEL 100, Introduction to Education, with grade of B or higher.
ENGL 101, English Composition, completed with grade of B or higher.
Overall grade point average of 2.5.
Statement of Moral Character on file in School of Education.
Completed “Application for Admission” form on file in Childhood Education office. (Both forms noted are received and returned during semester of EDEL 100.) Student receives acceptance letter from the program director confirming acceptance or rejection for chosen major.
One of two required mathematics courses completed with grade of C or higher.
Annual BCI/FBI background check on file in the Childhood Education office.
TB (Tuberculosis Skin Test) test results available.

Step Three: Pre-Student Teaching Requirements

Completion of Step Two.
Student maintains grade point average of 2.5 overall, 3.0 in major.
Student must receive “B” or higher in courses prefixed EDEC, EDMC, EDRE, or retake in subsequent semester.
Second mathematics course complete with C or higher.
Early childhood candidates complete either EDEC 330 or EDEC 335 with EDEC 325.
Middle childhood candidates complete EDMC 340, EDMC 345, and two of the following courses: EDMC 351, EDMC 352, EDMC 353, or EDMC 354.
Annual BCI/FBI background check on file.
TB (Tuberculosis Skin Test) test results available.
Evaluation forms completed by University personnel and field work cooperating teachers indicating progress in knowledge, performance, and necessary dispositions on file in the program office. To complete this phase, student registers for an advisory day at the end of the appropriate semester; meets with a faculty team to present evidence of knowledge, dispositions and performance via discussion and portfolio content. Faculty team indicates to student, and in writing, that all requirements for progression in program have been met.

Step Four: Admission to Student Teaching

Completion of Step Three.
Application for student teaching approved.
All foundation, methods, content area courses, and majority of concentration courses must be complete for commencement of student teaching semester.
One of two required Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) exams for Early Childhood Education must be passed prior to student teaching. “Early Childhood Education” Two additional exams are required for licensure and may be completed during the student teaching: .“Foundations of Reading” and “Assessment of Professional Knowledge.”
Two middle school subject area Ohio Assessments for Educators exams, as indicated by chosen concentrations, must be passed by middle childhood candidates prior to internship. Two additional exams are required for licensure and may be completed during student teaching: “Foundations of Reading” and “Assessment of Professional Knowledge.”
.Annual BCI/FBI background check on file in Department of Childhood Education and Literacy.
TB (Tuberculosis Skin Test) test results available.

Step Five: Resident License Approval

Completion of Step Four.
Successful completion of student teaching in early or middle childhood classroom, with goals, midterm appraisal and final letters of evaluation on file in Childhood Education office.
Presentation and submission of exit portfolio.
All Ohio Assessments for Educators exams passed and official results on file in Xavier University Licensure Office.
Online application process completed and all license application materials on file with Xavier University Licensure Office.

*See “Handbook for Early and Middle Childhood Education” for further information. Available on the program website.