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Minimum Performance Standards
for Students Enrolled in the
University of Mary Washington's
Teacher Education Program

Students admitted to the Teacher Education Program are expected to demonstrate potential to meet the standards set forth below and to maintain consistent achievement in them throughout the Program.  Throughout the program, students must meet these standards to satisfy the minimum requirements for program retention.  Since these are base-line competencies, in order to qualify for the teaching license, students must exceed them by fulfilling the complex capacities required for teaching in public schools.

Students who anticipate problems meeting these standards should seek assistance from the Chair of the Department of Education and the Director of Disabilities Services to identify the possibility of reasonable accommodations.

1. Communicate effectively in writing, with comprehensible organization of ideas, appropriate usage, spelling, and punctuation.  Present a model of handwriting appropriate to grade level and subject.
2. Communicate effectively orally, with comprehensible organization of ideas, appropriate usage, pronunciation, vocabulary, clarity of articulation, and voice volume.  Present a model of speech patterns and pronunciation appropriate to grade level and subject.
3. Identify the location of sounds and voices, comprehend standard and local non-standard dialects, and identify inappropriate speech patterns and pronunciation in students.
4. Prepare plans, grade student papers, keep a grade book and attendance records, and complete all paperwork correctly and in a timely manner.
5. Operate classroom equipment, such as overhead projectors, filmstrip and film projectors, slide projectors, opaque projectors, cassette players, computer technology, duplicating machines, VCR machines, etc.
6. Communicate appropriately, and establish sensitive professional relations with, individual students as well as colleagues, families, and community groups who display a range of social, emotional, intellectual, and cultural differences.  Respond appropriately to non-verbal communication.
7. Organize and manage through observation and verbal control student behavior and classroom routines according to appropriate standards of behavior for the subject and grade level.  Monitor students' comings and goings, movements within the classroom, and contacts with others.
8. Maintain consistent mental stability, physical self-control, personal hygiene, and appearance in order to accomplish satisfactory performance within the classroom environment and within the school as a whole; and to respond with appropriate flexibility to changes in individuals and the school environment.
9. Maintain satisfactory attendance and time schedules for arrival and departure to the school and classroom, and for meeting with students, school personnel, and other persons related to the educational program.  Organize and maintain the time schedules required of students, and make adjustments to changes in schedules and organization when necessary.