EDUCATION/SPECIAL EDUCATION

Trinity offers teacher education programs leading to the following teaching certificates in the state of Illinois:

• Elementary (K-9 certification)
• Secondary (6-12 certification) in the following major subject areas: biology, business
  education, chemistry, English, history, and mathematics
• Special programs (K-12 certification) in art, music, physical education, and Spanish
• Special education (K-12 certification) Learning Behavior Specialist I

All education department programs meet Trinity’s general education requirements of an oral communication course, field education, and capstone requirement. Students meet the oral communication requirement of general education by taking Communication Arts 101; the field education requirement of the College is met through the student teaching internship; and the capstone requirement is met through Education 454.

Students who are successful in the teacher education program have taken 3 years of science and math, including Algebra II, in high school.

Field Experience: The field experience is a valuable time of learning as students prepare to enter the teaching profession. The state of Illinois requires that students complete a number of preclinical experiences prior to student-teaching. Students in all of Trinity’s teacher education programs should plan on at least 200 hours prior to student-teaching. These experiences will be in a variety of settings and grade levels. Several education and special education courses require concurrent enrollment in field experience.

Electronic Portfolios: All education majors and minors are required to complete an electronic portfolio. A one-time fee of $100 to cover the costs of the portfolio will be assessed in conjunction with Computer Science 109. This fee is non-refundable. Students who receive transfer credit for Computer Science 109 also will be assessed a fee of $100.

Highly Qualified: The federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) requires teachers with primary responsibility for instructing students in the core academic subject areas to be “highly qualified.” Highly Qualified requirements affect everyone seeking teaching certification. Specific information can be found on the Education Unit Home Site on ANGEL, Trinity’s course management system.