History and Overview
ProTeach
The College of Education is responsible for teacher education at the University of Florida. The State of Florida Department of Education and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education approve UF's teacher education programs.
UF teacher preparation programs include:
- Agricultural education
- Art and music education
- Exercise and sport sciences and health science education
- Secondary education: English, Foreign Language, Math, Science and Social Science Education
- Unified elementary/special education
- Unified early childhood education
In the program areas of agricultural education, art education, health science education, music education and exercise and sport sciences, students will be recommended for initial teacher certification upon completion of the bachelor's degree.
In the program areas of unified elementary/ special education, unified early childhood education and the various areas of secondary education, students will be recommended for initial teacher certification when they have completed an additional year of academic study in the College of Education, which may lead to the Master of Education degree.
Higher Education Act (1998)
The Higher Education Act (U.S. Department of Education) addresses accountability requirements for teacher preparation programs. The Act mandates that teacher preparation programs publish annually pertinent program information including but not limited to the following: (a) program accreditation; (b) pass rates of graduates on state teacher certification assessments; and (c) programs that have been designated as low performing by the State. In accordance with this act, information about the state- and NCATE-accredited teacher preparation programs at UF can be accessed at the College of Education web site (www.coe.ufl.edu). A printed copy of this information can be provided upon request.
ProTeach
A Program for the Preparation of Professional Teachers
Information included in this catalog is subject to change. Please refer to the following college's student services web site for updates: www.coe.ufl.edu/educate/studentservices.htm.
Teaching is a difficult and demanding task. Conditions that teachers encounter in the classroom are complex and stressful. At the same time, parents and other members of the community are aware that a sound educational background is essential to success in later life. Much is expected of professional teachers.
The College of Education prepares professional teachers in unified elementary/special education, unified early childhood education and the various areas of secondary education.
ProTeach (from PROfessional TEACHer) is a rigorous program consisting of five years of intensive work in general background knowledge, professional studies and specialization designed to culminate in a master's degree.
The curriculum incorporates the best available information about knowledge, skills and personal attributes that contribute to teacher effectiveness. The latest developments in instructional approaches and technologies are used. The program incorporates comprehensive course work outside the College of Education along with foundational studies and extensive clinical experiences.
For students in unified elementary/special education and unified early childhood education, the clinical component of ProTeach begins in the third year and continues through the fifth year. Students engage in early observation, supervised practice and a concluding internship in the public schools, as well as campus-based clinical experiences in microteaching, simulation and other controlled situations. Methods of instruction and clinical experiences are concurrent and coordinated; academic and clinical aspects of course objectives are planned together and methods instructors are also clinical supervisors.
ProTeach students in unified elementary/ special education and unified early childhood education receive a Bachelor of Arts in Education upon successful completion of the first phase of the teacher education program, including a prescribed set of courses and experiences. An additional year (beyond the bachelor's degree) is required for completion of the second phase of the teacher education programs.
All students in ProTeach, regardless of their chosen teaching field, complete the expanded foundational studies in education which include: the social, philosophical and historical foundations of education, human growth and development; ethical principles governing teachers; legal provisions affecting education; children with disabilities in regular classrooms; educational diagnosis and evaluation; interpersonal relations; cognitive process in education; instructional design and implementation; and the use of computers in the classroom.
