Benchmarks

The Division of Education has four "Benchmarks" that candidates must meet in order to successfully complete the education certification program at MacMurray College.

One: Completion of Freshman Year
- Any student with an ACT sub score of less than 19 (reading, math, and English) must take an exam to determine placement in a developmental course. Students with an ACT sub score of 15 or below will be required to enroll in a developmental course during first semester.
- Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 and C or better in all Education courses.
  - Note: Students must earn a minimum of a C in all education courses, required program courses, and all content area courses. Any course with a C- or below will disqualify a candidate from receiving a teaching certificate. Courses may be repeated until a C or better is obtained.
- Completion of EDUC 202.
- Completion of MATH 121 and RHET 101, 102.
- Submit DCFS Mandated Reporter Form CANT22.
- Obtain a Passing Score on Illinois Basic Skills Test.
  - Students who do not pass the Basic Skills Test will not be allowed continued enrollment in any Education Course and will not be considered an Education Major.
  - Students who fail the state basic skills test must enroll in and pass the developmental courses. Students must retake and pass the Basic Skills Test to be considered for admittance to the division.
Two: Completion of Sophomore Year
- Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 and C in all courses related to major.
- Completion of one field experience (Grade of B or better).
- Completion of EDUC 225 and EDUC 237.
- Submit a formal application to the Division of Education.
  - Submission of Live Text Portfolio for Faculty Review with passing scores on the Portfolio Rubric.
  - Submission of three (3) Disposition Rubrics from Faculty Members with a rating of 3.0 or better in each category.
  - Students who are not accepted into the division by the end of the sophomore year will not be able to enroll in education courses. Students may reapply when they have completed all enrollment requirements.
  - Transfer Students: Student transferring with 60 hours must meet all benchmarks and course requirements within one semester of admittance to MacMurray College.
Three: Pre-Candidate Teaching
- Submit a formal application as candidate for Clinical Practice.
  - Submission of three (3) Disposition Rubrics from Faculty Members with a rating of 3.0 or better in each category.
  - Pre-Clinical Live Text Portfolio evaluation and approval by the Division of Education Faculty with passing scores on the Portfolio Rubric.
  - Students who have not been admitted to the division by the end of their junior year and/or have not passed the Content Area Test or other required state tests will be placed in the Educational Studies Degree Program (EDST). EDST students will not be enrolled in Clinical Practice and will not be able to apply for teacher certification. EDST students may enroll in a non-teaching practicum experience.
- Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 with "C" or better in courses related to major.
- Completion of MacMurray general education requirements.
- Satisfactory completion of Junior Writing Proficiency.
- Passage of the Content Area Test required by the State of Illinois for certification (Special Education majors also require passage of General Curriculum Test).
- Continued successful field experiences (Grade of B or better).
- Police background check submitted to Division Chair (www.certifiedbackground.com).
Completion of Program
- Cumulative grade point average of 2.5 and C or better in all courses related to major.
- Successful Completion of Clinical Practice Experience (Grade of B or better).
- Demonstration of mastery of knowledge, skills, dispositions across Teacher Performance expectations areas.
  - Completion and final evaluation of candidate Post-Clinical Live Text Portfolio with passing scores on the Portfolio Rubric
Additional Requirement for Teacher Certification.
- Pass the Assessment of Professional Teaching (APT) Exam.