A vision statement was created by the faculty during the Fall Semester 1999. It states, "From this College shall go forth compassionate, productive, ethical lifelong learners who contribute interdependently to a global society."
Since many of its students are preparing to enter the teaching profession, LHUP has developed a quality program of teacher education.
Each program in the unit reflects a systematic design based on established research, essential knowledge, and sound professional practice. Each instructional certification program requires professional studies in methodology. The University has adopted a model for teacher education that has the teacher as a reflective decision-maker at its core and sees the teacher functioning in a changing society. Professional education courses provide students with varied and rich clinical experiences, including work with international, culturally diverse and exceptional populations.
Lock Haven University has been accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) since 1954. The last review was completed October 1997. There are only 15 institutions of teacher preparation in Pennsylvania including LHUP.
As of fall 1999, all of LHUP's education programs have received continued approval by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Individuals applying for their first Instructional I Certificate must present evidence of having passed the Praxis Series. The test is administered six times a year. Candidates must pass tests in communication skills, general knowledge, professional knowledge, and a specialization area.
Lock Haven University's aggregate pass rate for the Praxis exam assessments are:
|
Exam
|
LHUP Pass Rate
|
Statewide Pass Rate
|
| Basic Skills |
97%
|
96%
|
| Professional Knowledge |
93%
|
92%
|
| Academic Content Area (Elementary, Early Childhood, and Secondary Education) |
90%
|
89%
|
| Health and Physical Education |
100%
|
99%
|
| Special Education |
83%
|
88%
|
| Summary of All Areas |
88%
|
86%
|
ACT 34 of 1985 specifies that employees of public and private schools hired after January 1, 1986 must undergo criminal history background checks and also Child Abuse Clearances, Act 33 and 151. Lock Haven University's students are required to undergo these same background checks in order to participate and student teach in the public schools. Individuals from states other than Pennsylvania must also undergo an FBI clearance.
All credentials for graduation and applications for teaching certification, including transcripts of credit from other institutions, must be filed on or before the last day of the semester or session in which a student expects to graduate, otherwise certification and graduation will be postponed to the next graduating date. Students eligible for a teaching certificate will receive it as soon as possible after it has been released by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Degree candidates in teacher education must be pronounced medically fit by a licensed physician qualified to practice medicine in Pennsylvania.