School of Education
Core Values-Vision-Mission-Goals
Field Experiences & Degree Completion
Impact Statement
In the School of Education, we don't just prepare educators, we lead for impact! We cultivate transformational practitioners and reflective leaders who teach with purpose, inspire change, and shape the future.
Core Values
Commitment to Learn – We believe that abilities and achievements grow through willingness, effort, experience, and persistence.
Collaboration – We believe that creative ideas and effective solutions stem from openness, partnership, and community.
Cultural Competence – We fully appreciate our own cultural roots and we believe that understanding and valuing the cultures of others leads to authentic connections and relationships.
Social Justice – We believe that equitable access to resources and opportunities is the key to personal growth, professional accomplishments, and systemic change.
Health and Wellness – We believe that excellence comes from enjoying what we do and striving for balance in body, mind, and spirit.
Vision:
The Commonwealth's gold standard in educator preparation, developing innovative professionals who bridge theory and practice through design-thinking methodologies, entrepreneurial mindsets, and sustained partnerships with schools and communities committed to continuous improvement.
Mission:
Building on our historical legacy of cultivating professional excellence in teaching, leadership, research, and service, the School of Education advances equity and excellence through collaborative community partnerships across the Commonwealth. We prepare educators to lead and inspire by underscoring authentic, interdisciplinary, project-based, and experiential learning; fluency in emerging educational technologies; emotional intelligence; integrity; and the creation of inclusive environments for all learners, including those who are neurodiverse.
Goals:
- Collaborate with partners to create and implement a dynamic strategic plan to transition the School of Education programs into programs of distinction.
- Collaborate with partners to improve student recruitment and enrollment.
- Collaborate with partners to increase student retention and graduation.
- Collaborate with partners to elevate academic excellence, career readiness, and successful employment.
- Collaborate with alumni and University supporters to strengthen relations between Frankfort/Franklin County and Kentucky State University.
- Serve as a teaching and learning resource hub for Schools and Colleges of Education across the Commonwealth and beyond.
Our graduates emerge as culturally competent, highly skilled, and future-ready educators who lead for impact -- adaptable, innovative problem solvers who can navigate change while remaining committed to student growth and development.
Programs
Kentucky State University is a state-approved and nationally accredited Educator Preparation Provider (EPP), offering seven undergraduate Teacher Education Programs (TEPs) and one graduate program . Each program is state-approved by the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB, http://www.epsb.ky.gov) and nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP, http://caepnet.org).
The TEP includes:
- Biology Education (6th -12th grade), School of Agriculture, Community, Environment, and the Sciences
- Elementary Education (primary-5th grade), School of Education
- English Education (6th -12th grade), School of Humanities and Performing Arts
- Mathematics Education (6th -12th grade), School of Agriculture, Community, Environment, and the Sciences
- Exercise Science (teaching) (primary-12th grade), School of Education
- Exercise Science (Allied Health), School of Education
- Exercise Science (Sports Management), School of Education
- Social Studies Education (6th -12th grade), School of Behavioral and Social Sciences
- Special Education with a specialty in Learning and Behavioral Disorders (Master's program, primary-12th grade), School of Education
In addition to the TEP, the School of Education offers a BA in Physical Education (non-teaching) that prepares graduates for professional careers in Exercise Science and in Sports Management.
Professional Standards
Instruction and assessment are aligned with standards that are determined by state and national organizations. These standards and organizations include the following:
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards and Learning Progressions for Teachers 1.0
- Graduate Profile Essential 10 Standards - KSU's Thoro10
- 21st Century Skills
- Standards of the Specialized Professional Association (SPA) of each program:
- National Organization for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) for Child Development & Family Relations
- Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) for Special Education
- National Association of School Musicians (NASM) for Music Education
Field Experiences & Degree Completion
Field Experiences
To prepare graduates for the real world of teaching, the School of Education provides multiple opportunities for teacher candidates to practice what they learn through their coursework by engaging in professional experiences in a variety of professional settings. Before being approved to begin field experiences in schools, candidates must have a clear criminal background check verified each year. Once approved, teacher candidates must enter data pertaining to all field experiences in the Kentucky Field Experiences Tracking System (KFETS).
There are two required paths built into their plan of study by which students acquire field experience. The first is through a three-part Field Experience Seminar (I, II, and III) Series. The second is through a two-part practicum, Clinical Practicum I and Clinical Practicum II. These requirements must be fulfilled before students can apply to student teach. Teacher candidates must complete a minimum of 300 hours of field experience as a prerequisite for admission to student teaching.
Degree Completion
To earn an undergraduate degree from the School of Education, a student admitted to Kenucky State University must complete all courses, and both clinical and field experiences. Students should consult with their academic faculty advisors to learn more about their specific programs. Requirements for admission to the University, admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP), admission to student teaching, and/or program completion may be changed by a decision or action of an accrediting agency, the Kentucky Legislature, KSU Faculty Senate, KSU administration, the Teacher Education Committee (TEC), or the TEP. Students who are admitted to the TEP and then are not enrolled in courses for a period of 18 months or longer, are withdrawn from the TEP. When students re-enroll in the University, they must meet the criteria for admission to their TEP that are in place at that time.
Teacher Education Program
Admission to the Teacher Education Program
To be admitted into the Teacher Education Program, also known as the Educator Preparation Program, students must submit a completed application and have:
- A minimum of 42 semester credit hours with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 and/or 3.0 for the most recent college-level courses
- A grade of C or above in designated courses
- A minimum of 25 field hours with all data submitted in the Kentucky Field Experiences Tracking System (KFETS) and verified through documentation signed by mentor teachers
- Three professional disposition instruments
- A passing score on the Core Academic Skills for Educators (CASE)
- A passing test score of academic content published by the Educational Testing Service (ETS; http://www.ets.org): Reading (5713) score of 156; Writing (5723) score of 162; and Mathematics (5733) score of 150
- A well-written autobiographical sketch
- An impromptu writing interview and
- Any other prerequisites as determined by the Teacher Education Committee (TEC).
Five Options for EPP Admittance per Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB)
Option 1: ACT Scores: Reading 20, Writing 18, and Math 19
Option 2: A composite ACT score of 22
Option 3: CASE (Praxis I) Reading 156, Writing 162, and Math 150 assessment areas
Option 4: Combination of ACT and Praxis I CASE scores that demonstrates academic competency in Reading, Writing and Math assessment areas
Option 5: GPA of 3.0 or better with CASE scores within 1-5 points below the identified minimum score in each assessment area - Reading, Writing, and Math
Admission to Student Teaching
Admission to student teaching at Kentucky State University requires a completed application and:
- 300 field hours with all data submitted in the Kentucky Field Experiences Tracking System (KFETS) and verified through documentation signed by mentor teachers
- A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher, at the end of the semester prior to the semester of student teaching
- Passing grades in all courses in the Liberal Studies Core
- Grades of C or above in all education foundation courses and education content courses hours
- Three professional disposition instruments
- An official score on the ETS Praxis II content and/or pedagogical exams, as determined by EPSB and required by the TEC
- A clear state- and national- level criminal report submitted to the placement district
- A current physical examination report, including a TB skin test or x-ray
- Verification of current liability insurance obtained through the Kentucky Education Association (KEA)
- Forms and fees required for graduation and
- Other prerequisites as determined by the TEC.
Note: Student teaching placements are the result of collaboration between the School of Education and school district leaders. While student preferences and requests are taken into consideration in placement decisions, other factors are considered as well, including a diversity of field and life experiences, teaching and learning opportunities offered by districts, research being conducted, and supervision logistics. While the University understands and supports district needs for diversity and “grow-your-own” initiatives, the norm is for student teachers not to be placed in schools they attended as P-12 students.
Educator Preparation Program Completion
Requirements: seventy (70) documented days of student teaching, with each day being a minimum of six hours; electronic submission of multiple assignments that demonstrate competency in teaching; professional dispositions at the expected level; and a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher, at the end of the student teaching semester.
Note: Student teaching is a demanding and continuously assessed experience of fully engaged, unpaid teaching in P-12 schools. Candidates may not be employed during the hours of student teaching, which often surpass the students’ school day due to before- and after-school planning and meetings. Students are encouraged to think and plan ahead financially and logistically for their full-time semester of student teaching.
The University’s liberal study requirements strengthen all baccalaureate programs within the College and are compatible with the accreditation requirements of the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB), the National Association of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation)
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Context & Knowledge
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Clinical Partnership
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Candidate Quality
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Program Impact
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Provider Quality
InTasc Standards (Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium)
1. Learner Development
2. Learning Differences
3, Learning Environments
4. Content Knowledge
5. Content Application
6. Assessment
7. Planning
8. Instructional Strategies
9. Professional Learning
10. Leadership/Collaboration
- Teach for America - https://www.teachforamerica.org/faqs/financial-supports
- Juanita Losey Scholarship Link (Kentucky Scholarships) -https://www.kheaa.com/pdf/pubs/ky/ahe/ahekyscholar.pdf
- Congressional Black Caucus Foundation HBCU Scholarship
- Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority - Teacher Scholarship Program
- Academic Scholarship Program at Kentucky State University
Educator Tuition Assistance Opportunities
