The elementary education major prepares the next generation of teachers to be leaders in the creation of more equitable classroom experiences for all children, regardless of race, class, gender, sexuality, ability, language, and other differences. The program is intentionally designed to develop teacher candidates’ competence in working with current school systems while simultaneously cultivating the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to challenge existing systems that fail to support the learning needs of all children. The curriculum is guided by the principles of culturally and linguistically sustaining pedagogy and universal design for learning. Courses and clinical field experiences promote deep learning, equity, and social justice in the elementary classroom context.

This major is a professional teacher preparation program, approved by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) and the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Graduates of the major are prepared for professional certification in Elementary K-6 with endorsements in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Reading. 

Coursework for the major

This is a limited access major with selective admission to the upper-division program in Fall semesters only. Students must accumulate 60 credits and meet all Semester 4 critical tracking requirements to be a candidate for admission. The college admissions committee will consider an applicant’s entire record, including educational objectives, quality of courses completed, criminal or disciplinary actions, and test date. The application period is February through April for the following Fall semester. An approved applicant would be assigned a course schedule and field placement schedule in Semesters 5-8.  

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

SEMESTER 1

• Complete coursework with minimum grades of C
• 2.0 UF GPA required

SEMESTER 2

• Complete coursework with minimum grades of C
• Complete 1 of 3 critical-tracking courses: EDF 1005 or EDF 2085 or EME 2040
• 2.3 UF GPA required

SEMESTER 3

• Complete coursework with minimum grades of C
• Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course
• 2.6 UF GPA required

SEMESTER 4

• Complete coursework with minimum grades of C
• Complete all 3 critical-tracking courses with a 3.0 critical-tracking GPA
• Complete all General Education requirements
• Complete the university Writing Requirement
• Document passing general knowledge test scores from the FTCE series Please see audit and/or advisor to determine which test to take.
• 2.6 UF GPA required

Students cannot register for courses in semesters 5-8 before program admission, which is competitive and available in Fall semesters only. Students should meet with the admissions coordinator in 1002 Norman Hall to complete an application for admission in February of their sophomore year.

SEMESTER 5

• Complete all required courses with no grade below C
• 3.0 upper-division GPA required
• 2.6 UF GPA required

SEMESTER 6

• Complete all required courses with no grade below C
• 3.0 upper-division GPA

SEMESTER 7

• Complete all required courses with no grade below C
• Document passing Elementary K-6 subject area exam scores from the FTCE series
• 3.0 upper-division GPA

SEMESTER 8

• Complete all required courses with no grade below C
• Earn acceptable ratings for all Florida Educator Accomplished Practices
• Document a passing score on the professional education test from the FTCE series
• 3.0 upper-division GPA

For electives students are encouraged to select courses that will strengthen their knowledge of the content areas of literature, social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics.

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester One		Credits
Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities)		3
State Core Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences		3
State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement: 6,000 words		3
State Core Gen Ed Mathematics		3
State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences		3
	Credits	15
Semester Two
EDF 1005	Introduction to Education (Critical Tracking)	3
Select one:		3
EDF 3110	Human Growth and Development (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences)
DEP 3053	Developmental Psychology (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences)
State Core Gen Ed Humanities		3
Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement: 6,000 words		3
Gen Ed Mathematics		3
	Credits	15
Semester Three
EDF 2085	Teaching Diverse Populations (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences and Diversity)	3
Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences		3
Elective (Gen Ed International or Diversity) or a foreign language		3
Elective (Writing Requirement: 6,000 words)		3
Elective		3
	Credits	15
Semester Four
Quest 2 (Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences OR Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences)		3
EME 2040	Introduction to Educational Technology (Critical Tracking)	3
Elective (Gen Ed International)		3
Elective (Writing Requirement: 6,000 words)		3
Elective		3
	Credits	15
Semester Five
EDE 3941	Clinical Rotations Across Diverse Elementary School Contexts	2
EDG 3623	Equity Pedagogy Foundations	3
MAE 4310	Teaching Mathematics in the Inclusive Elementary School	3
RED 3211	Teaching Language and Meaning Construction in Elementary Reading	3
SCE 4310	Elementary Science Methods for the Inclusive Classroom	3
TSL 3520	ESOL Foundations: Language and Culture in Classrooms	3
	Credits	17
Semester Six
EDE 3941	Clinical Rotations Across Diverse Elementary School Contexts	2
EDG 3343	Equity Pedagogy Instructional Strategies	3
EDG 4442	Rethinking Discipline and Classroom Management	3
MAE 4310L	Teaching Elementary Mathematics Lab	1
SCE 4310L	Elementary Science Methods Lab	1
SDS 3430	Family and Community Involvement in Education	3
SSE 4312	Social Studies for Diverse Learners	3
	Credits	16
Semester Seven
EDE 4940	Internship in Elementary Education	3
EDG 4703	Equity Pedagogy Applications	3
EME 4401	Integrating Technology in the Elementary Curriculum	3
LAE 4314	Language Arts for Diverse Learners	3
RED 3210	Teaching Word Identification and Fluency in Elementary Reading	3
	Credits	15
Semester Eight
EDE 4940	Internship in Elementary Education	4
EDG 4048	Studying Equity Pedagogy	3
RED 4844	Practicum in Reading	2
TSL 4100	ESOL Curriculum, Methods and Assessment	3
	Credits	12
	Total Credits	120

Passing score on all subtests of the FTCE subject area exam in elementary education (K-6) and on the Professional Education Test are required for completion of the bachelor's degree.

Certification 

Confers recommendation for certification in elementary (grades K-6) with endorsements in ESOL and reading.

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This degree prepares students for certification to teach grades K - 6 in the state of Florida. The program develops the foundation knowledge, skills, and practical experience for effective planning, teaching, and evaluating pupil learning.

Before Graduating Students Must

• Pass the General Knowledge Test, the Elementary Education Subject Area Test, and the Professional Education Test of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination series.
• Demonstrate mastery of effective teaching practices by meeting Florida Educator Accomplished Practices 1-6, as determined by multiple instructors across the program.
• Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

1. Demonstrate competency in subject matter for grades K - 6 in language arts, reading, social studies, mathematics, science, and technology.
2. Create, select, and implement: (1) specific learning goals, (2) appropriate teaching methods and instructional materials, and (3) evaluation strategies aligned with goals, using knowledge of subject matter, learners, and classroom management.

Critical Thinking

3. Critically evaluate your own instructional effectiveness to plan future lessons and improve your teaching of all students over time.

Communication

4. Effectively communicate with students, including students whose home language is not standard English, as well as with parents and other school personnel.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Academic Learning Compact 4

Courses	SLO 1	SLO 2	SLO 3	SLO 4
EDE 3941 (clinical 1)	I, R	I, R	I, R	I, R
EDE 3941 (clinical 2)	I, R	I, R	I, R	I, R
EDE 4940 (internship 2)	A	A	A	A
EDG 3623 (EP1)			I	I
EDG 3343 (EP2)	I, R	I, R	R	R
EDG 4703 (EP3)	R	R	R	R
EDG 4048 (EP4)		R		R
EDG 4442 (Cl. Mgmt.)		R	I, R	I, R
EME 4401	I, R, A	I
LAE 3005		I, R	I, R	I
LAE 4314	I, R, A	R	R
MAE 4310	I, R, A	R	R	R
MAE 4310L	I, R	R	R	R
RED 3307	I, R, A	R	R	R
RED 4844 (RED Prac.)	A	A	A	A
SCE 4310	I, R, A	R	R
SCE 4310L	I, R	R	R
SDS 3430				I
SSE 4312	I, R, A	I, R	I, R
TSL 3520	I	I	I	I
TSL 4100	R	R	R	R

Assessment Types

• Reading competencies rubric
• Internship evaluation
• The Florida Teacher Certification (FTCE) Elementary K-6 subject area examination and Professional Education Test

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