Self-Development
In the freshman year, emphasis is placed on developing those basic skills that enable a prospective teacher to become a scholar and to engage successfully in college-level studies. In addition, a specially designed freshman seminar helps the student adjust to college life. 

Studies Undergirding Teaching and Learning
Early experience through courses in the social sciences and behavioral studies emphasizing psychology provide an important scholarly foundation for educational practice. In addition, college-level study of subjects related to the student’s teaching field is an important element in this phase of the teacher education program.

Selective Retention in Teacher Education
Education students must demonstrate competence in their academic work to continue in the teacher preparation program. Competence is assessed in a variety of ways and at different levels.  Sophomore education students must maintain a 2.75 cumulative average in all courses taken at Rider. Students must also receive a grade of C+ or higher in all education courses. It is the individual student’s responsibility to re-take any education course in which a grade lower than C+ has been earned. The GPA requirement for admission to junior level education courses is 2.75. Students will be permitted to undertake student teaching only if they have received C+ or higher in all education courses and have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.8.

The undergraduate education department also reviews the professional development of all students to ensure that they meet departmental standards for professional conduct and that they show promise of success in teaching. This review is in addition to the grade requirements listed above; in addition, the elementary education program requires passing the Praxis I Writing, Praxis I Math, and Praxis II Elementary Education:  Content Knowledge tests prior to registration in junior level courses. As appropriate, students who fail to meet the department’s standards will be counseled on ways to improve their performance or asked to leave the program.

Teacher Certification and Placement
Teacher candidates are recommended for certification only when they have: (1) successfully completed all course requirements of a particular program and (2) successfully demonstrated continued competence, aptitude, motivation, and potential for outstanding success in teaching.  Students must have attained at least a C+ in student teaching along with a cumulative GPA of 2.75. It should be noted that for New Jersey certification (and many other states as well) it is necessary to pass the appropriate Praxis Series exams.  Consult the certification office in Memorial Hall 111 for further details.

Graduates who have completed all the requirements of an approved program in teacher education are eligible to receive, upon passing a Praxis Series test of academic knowledge related to the field of certification, a New Jersey Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing. The Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing is valid for the lifetime of its holder. It authorizes the holder to seek and accept offers of employment in New Jersey schools. New Jersey has directed other states to accept the Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing as evidence of completion of an approved college teacher education program.  In New Jersey, a Provisional Certificate will be issued to those who receive offers of employment from school districts. The Provisional Certificate is a temporary license, valid for one year. It authorizes the holder to serve as a salaried teacher, and to perform all teaching duties within the endorsement field under the supervision of a district support team. Later the New Jersey Standard Certificate will be issued to those who serve for one year under the Provisional Certificate and who are recommended as  approved by their school principal based on evaluations of the provisionally certified teacher’s classroom performance, conducted by the principal and other certified evaluators. 

Students seeking out-of-state certification will find that completing a NCATE approved program will enable them to become certified immediately in many states. Since each state has its own requirements for teacher certification, it is wise for students to contact the certification office (Memorial Hall 111) for assistance in determining out-of-state certification requirements and state reciprocity agreements.