IOWA AND ILLINOIS MIDDLE SCHOOL INFORMATION

The information below is divided into four sections as follows:

Section A – Former Iowa Guidelines

Section B – Current Iowa Guidelines

Section C – Illinois Guidelines

Section D – Applying for Middle School Endorsements

SECTION A – FORMER IOWA GUIDELINES

1. Students may apply for an Iowa middle school endorsement under these former guidelines until June 30, 2010.

2. The middle school endorsement in Iowa is an optional endorsement left to the discretion of local districts. Districts may or may not require it.

3. The Iowa middle school endorsement covers grades 5 – 8.

4. It is an additional endorsement. For example, a prospective teacher cannot hold an elementary license and only a middle school endorsement. That individual needs to hold an elementary license, an endorsement such as reading, mathematics, etc., and then a middle school endorsement. The same holds true in a secondary area.

5. A teacher holding the middle school endorsement can teach all subjects in grades 5 – 8 except art, music, industrial arts, physical education, reading, and special education. A teacher earning an endorsement under these former guidelines can continue to teach in more than two subject areas.

6. The SAU Beeline can not show both the former and current Iowa guidelines. At the present time, only the former guidelines appear on Beeline.

COURSE WORK REQUIRED TO OBTAIN THE IOWA MIDDLE SCHOOL ENDORSEMENT – STATE REQUIREMENTS ARE ON THE LEFT AND THOSE AMBROSE COURSES THAT MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE ON THE RIGHT.

STATE REQUIREMENTS

Content Categories

INSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Course Numbers and Titles

Credit Hrs.

3 semester hours of coursework in the growth and development of the middle school age child, specifically addressing the emotional, physical and mental characteristics and needs of middle school age children. This is in addition to coursework completed in the professional core.

Educ 455/555 Middle School Psychology

(Prerequisites: Educ 205 or 207, 284, 309 or concurrent enrollment in 309. (Prerequisite for 555: Hold teaching license or certificate)

3 semester hours of coursework in middle school design, instruction and curriculum including, but not limited to, instruction in interdisciplinary teaming, pedagogy, and methods. This is in addition to coursework completed in the professional core.

Educ 461/561 The Middle School

(Prerequisites: Educ 205 or 207, 284 (Prerequisite for 561: Hold teaching license or certificate)

6 semester hours of coursework in the social studies to include coursework in all of the following:

1. American history

2. World history

3. Geography

1. Hist 111 United States to 1865 or

Hist 112 United States since 1865 or

American history elective

2. Hist 101 World Civilization to 1300 or Hist 102 World Civilization since 1300 or

World Civilization elective

3. Geography 205 Human Geography

6 semester hours in mathematics to include coursework in algebra*

*Note: 1. A course in calculus may be substituted for algebra. 2. Successful completion of a CLEP test may be used for math hours as long as the student’s transcript shows that semester credit for math was received. 3. Meeting the Ambrose general education math requirements through a high ACT score or the completion of high school math courses will not count toward the required 6 hours of math.

1. Math 121 Intermediate Algebra (course discontinued in 2005) or

Math 151 College Algebra or

a higher level algebra course

2. Math 131 Math for Liberal Arts or

Math 210 Theory of Arithmetic or

Stat 213 Applied Statistical Reasoning for the Sciences or

A math elective at the 100 level or above

6 semester hours in science to include life science and physical science

1. Biol 101 Principles of Biology or

Biology elective of at least three semester hours credit

Any one of the following:

2. Astr 201 Astronomy or

Chem 101 Chemistry and Society or

Chem 102 History of Chemistry or

Chem 103 Principles of Chemistry or

Chem 105 General Chemistry I or

Chem 106 General Chemistry II or

Nsci 105 Introduction to Physical Science or

Nsci 202 Earth Science or

Nsci 205/Geog 201 Physical Geography or

Phys 110 Physics of Sound and Light or

Non-biology science elective of at least three semester hours credit

6 semester hours in language arts to include coursework in all of the following:

1. Grammar

2. Composition

3. Speech

1 Engl 313 Linguistics: Language and Learning

2. Engl 101 Written Communication

Any one of the following:

3. Comm 110 Basic Human Communication or Comm 203 Interpersonal Communication or Comm 328 Argumentation and Advocacy or Comm 329 Business and Professional Speaking or Comm 101 Principles of Public Speaking - 2 semester hours.

2-3

Other

SECTION B – CURRENT IOWA GUIDELINES

1. Students who apply for an Iowa middle school endorsement on JULY 1, 2010 or later must meet the current Iowa guidelines.

2. The Board of Educational Examiners has adopted a new middle school endorsement which allows the holder to teach in two concentration or core subjects in grades five through eight. The middle school endorsements do not authorize the teaching of art, music, industrial arts, physical education, reading and special education in the middle school. The core subjects are language arts/English – mathematics – science – social studies/history.

3. This is an additional endorsement. The applicant must hold a currently valid Iowa teacher’s license with either the general elementary endorsement or one of the subject matter secondary level endorsements

4. The middle school endorsement in Iowa is an optional endorsement left to the discretion of local districts. Districts may or may not require it.

5. These guidelines now require 30 hours of field experience.

6. For additional information see: http://www.state.ia.us/boee/midsch.html

7. The former Iowa guidelines required 24 semester hours of course work outside of education, typically in general education, in 4 subject areas while the current guidelines still require 24 hours, but these are concentrated in 2 areas.

8. The SAU Beeline can not show both the former and current Iowa guidelines. At the present time, only the former guidelines appear on Beeline.

COURSE WORK REQUIRED TO OBTAIN THE IOWA MIDDLE SCHOOL ENDORSEMENT – STATE REQUIREMENTS ARE ON THE LEFT AND THOSE AMBROSE COURSES THAT MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE ON THE RIGHT.

STATE REQUIREMENTS Content Categories	INSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS Course Numbers and Titles	Credit Hrs.
9 semester hours of coursework in the following:
Growth and development of the middle school age child, specifically addressing the social, emotional, physical and cognitive characteristics and needs of middle school age children in addition to related studies completed as part of the professional education core in 14.123(4).	Educ 455/555 Middle School Psychology	3
Middle school design, curriculum, instruction, and assessment including, but not limited to, instruction in interdisciplinary instruction, teaming, and differentiated instruction in addition to related studies completed as part of the professional education core in 14.123(4).	Educ 461/561 The Middle School	3
Literacy (reading, writing, listening and speaking) strategies for students in grades 5-8 and in methods to include these strategies thoughout the curriculum	Elementary – Educ 372 Language Arts and Reading in the Elementary School 4-8 OR Secondary – Educ 336 Content Reading	3 3
30 clock hours of middle school field experience infused in the coursework listed above.	Educ 455/555 Middle School Psychology	3
Completion of coursework in TWO of the following content areas:
12 semester hours of coursework in social studies to include coursework in all of the following: 1. United States history 2. World history 3. Government 4. Geography Note that under the new guidelines, a wider range of geography courses may be used.	1.Hist 111 U.S. to 1865 or Hist 112 U.S. since 1865 or U.S. history elective 2.Hist 101 World Civ to 1300 or Hist 102 World Civ since 1300 or World history elective 3.Psci 101 Government of the U.S. I or Psci 102 Government of the U.S. II or Psci 303 The Constitution of the U.S. or Government elective 4.Geog 201 Physical Geography or Geog 205 Human Geog or Geog 310 World Regional Geog or Geog 322 Economic Geog or Geog 340 Urban Geog or Geog 360 Maps and Mapping or Geog 370 Studies in Geog	3 3 3 3
12 semester hours in mathematics to include coursework in algebra. A. Successful completion of a CLEP test may be used for math hours as long as the student’s transcript shows that semester credit for math was received. B. Meeting the Ambrose general education math requirements through a high ACT score or the completion of high school math courses will not count toward the required 12 hours of math.	Math 151 College Algebra or Math 290 Elementary Linear Algebra or Math 380 Abstract Algebra I or Math 381 Abstract Algebra II And 9 semester hours of mathematic electives at the 100 level or above	3 9
12 semester hours in science to include coursework in all of the following: 1. life science 2. earth science 3. physical science	1.Biol 101 Principles of Biol or Biol 103 General Biol I or Biol 104 General Biol II or Biol 109 Environmental Sci or Biology elective at the 100 level or above 2.Astr 201 Astronomy or Geog 201 Physical Geog (can not be used for both earth science and social studies) or Nsci 202 Earth Science 3.Nsci 105 Intro to Physical Sci or Phys 110 Physics of Light & Sound or Phys 160 Concepts in Electronics or Phys 201 Principles of Physics or Physics elective at the 100 level or above or Chem 102 History of Chem or Chem 103 Prin of Chem or Chem 105 General Chem I or Chem 106 General Chem II or Chemistry elective at the 100 level or above	4 4 4 4 3 or 4 3 4 3 3 4 3 or 4 3 4 4 4 3 or 4
12 semester hours in language arts to include coursework in all of the following: 1. Composition 2. Language Usage 3. Speech 4. Young adult literature 5. Literature across cultures	1.Engl 101 English Composition 2.Engl 313 Linguistics 3.Comm 101 Principles of Public Speaking or Comm 110 Basic Human Communication or Comm 203 Interpersonal Communication or Comm 328 Argumentation & Advocacy or Comm 329 Business & Professional Speaking 4.Educ 368 Literature for the Young Adult 5.Engl 210 Amer Lit I or Engl 211 Amer Lit II or Engl 220 African Amer Lit or Engl 223 Minority Voices	3 3 3 3 3
Other

SECTION C - ILLINOIS GUIDELINES

1. A middle school endorsement in Illinois is a state requirement; it is not left to the discretion of local districts.

2. The Illinois middle school endorsement covers grades 5 - 8 for an elementary certificate and 6 - 8 for a secondary certificate.

3. It is an additional endorsement. For example, a prospective teacher cannot hold an elementary certificate and only a middle school endorsement. That individual needs to hold an elementary certificate, an endorsement such as reading, mathematics, etc., and then a middle school endorsement. The same holds true in a secondary area.

4. An elementary certificate in Illinois authorizes the holder to teach grades K – 9. However, without the middle school endorsement, the elementary certificate is not valid for grades 5 – 8 except in self-contained classrooms. Realistically then, for most hiring purposes, the elementary certificate is used for grades K – 4 (K-6 for Self-Contained classrooms).

5. A secondary certificate in Illinois authorizes the holder to teach grades 6 – 12. However, without the middle school endorsement, the secondary certificate is not valid for grades 6 – 8. In other words, the certificate then covers only grades 9 – 12.

6. The middle school endorsement is required in Illinois for those seeking endorsements in the following areas: Agriculture Ed, Art, Bilingual Ed, Bilingual Sped, Biology, Business/Marketing Management, Computer Science, Czech, Industrial Tech Ed, Italian, Language Arts, Latin, Mathematics, Media, Music, PE, ESL, Family & Consumer Science, French, General Science, General Geography, German, Greek, Health Ed, Hebrew, Physical Science, Polish, Reading, Russian, Safety & Drivers Ed, Social Science, Spanish, Speech/Theater, Theatre/Drama - NOTE These apply to elementary or secondary certifications. Those holding K-12 certifications do not need the middle school endorsement unless adding another elementary or secondary endorsement. *

7. If a student receives an Iowa elementary teaching license with endorsements in English/Language Arts or Mathematics or Reading or Social Studies/History or Science, those endorsements will not be listed on an Illinois elementary certificate unless the student completes our two middle school courses - Ed 455 Middle School Psyc and Ed 461 The Middle School. Students can receive a K-4 reading endorsement (Note: NOT valid for grades 5 - 8) without these two middle school courses.

8. For additional information see: http://www.isbe.net/certification/middle_grade/msinfo.htm or telephone the Rock Island Regional Superintendent’s Office at 736-1111.

COURSE WORK REQUIRED ** TO OBTAIN THE ILLINOIS MIDDLE SCHOOL ENDORSEMENT

3 semester hours of coursework in middle school philosophy, curriculum and instructional methods for designing and teaching developmentally appropriate programs in the middle grades, including content area reading instruction. – EDUC 461/561 The Middle School

3 semester hours of coursework in educational psychology focusing on the developmental characteristics of early adolescents and the role of the middle grade teacher in assessment, coordination and referral of students to health and social services. - EDUC 455/555 Middle School Psychology

*Item # 6 above notes that, with some exceptions, those holding a K-12 certificate do not need the middle school endorsement in Illinois. This K-12 certificate does offer a “backdoor” approach to the middle school requirement. A secondary student applying for an Illinois certificate would normally take the basic skills exam, a second exam in their major area, and a third test entitled Assessment of Professional Teaching grades 6 – 12, exam # 103. As an alternative, a secondary student can take the basic skills exam, a second exam in their major area, and a third test entitled Assessment of Professional Teaching grades K – 12, exam # 104. This would allow them to apply for an Illinois K-12 license in their major and teach at the middle school level. The advantages of this are that it allows a student to bypass the two middle school courses. The disadvantages are that it only applies to secondary students, not elementary; it only applies to content majors and can not be used to teach minors or if additional endorsements are added; and secondary students, to pass test # 104, must answer questions designed for K – 5 teachers. In addition, while licensure requirements are met, it can leave a first year teacher in a middle school or junior high classroom without the proper training.

** Elementary education majors with a mathematics endorsement also need a three hour methods course specifically designed for the middle school grades. The Ambrose course, Educ 354 Methods of Elem Math may not meet this requirement. Some Illinois license evaluators accept the course and some do not.

SECTION D - APPLYING FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL ENDORSEMENTS

If students complete Educ 455/555 and Educ 461/561, they can apply for the Illinois middle school endorsement.

If students complete Educ 455/555, Educ 461/561, AND the necessary content courses required by Iowa, they can apply for the Iowa middle school endorsement.

For those students who qualify for only the Illinois endorsement, they can request the Illinois endorsement while student teaching using forms distributed by the Rock Island Regional Superintendent’s Office. They do not request the Illinois endorsement on any Ambrose or Iowa forms.

For those students who qualify for the Iowa middle school endorsement, they can indicate that on their application to student teach, Beeline program evaluation, and Iowa license application.

Last updated 10 - 1 - 2008