Art Education Professional Program

TIER I: Pre-Admission and the Orientation Packet

At this level students are introduced to the teaching profession. Tier I includes all of the pre-admittance requirements necessary for entry into the Art Education Professional Program, thus becoming a Candidate for the State of Michigan LQ Visual Arts Education Endorsement.

Each student meets with the Chair of the Art Education Department for an overview of the department requirements including the Entry Level State Standards for Teacher Preparation (TPI). Students sign a Declaration of Interest informing the Registrar of the student’s intent to add Art Education certification to their major. The Chair of the Art Education Department reviews the Curriculum Guide (scope and sequence) for the respective chosen studio major with the student and develops an individual plan of work for each student.

Students with a second semester freshman or better standing are able to register for the first of two Art Education foundation courses, DAE 200 History and Philosophy of Education and DAE 250 Human Development, Creativity, & Visual Learning. At the beginning of these two classes each student will be given the Orientation Packet containing the forms listed below and the Chair of the Art Education Department will review the contents with the students in each section.

• Michigan Code of Ethics and Michigan Code of Ethics Signature Form
• Student Contact Information and Student Release Form
• Field Trip Description Form
• Teacher Certification Compliance Report and Questions Regarding Convictions
• Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) (Information)
• LQ Visual Arts Education (test code 095) (Information)
• Field Experience Log
• Professional Behaviors and Dispositions Form (Information)
• Admission to the Art Education Professional Program Recommendation Form
• Program Admissions Essay Guidelines (Information)
• Consumer Authorization Form
• Student National Art Education Association (SNAEA) (Information)
• Student Michigan Education Association (SMEA) (Information)
• Academic Requirements (Information)
• Program Admissions Essay Guidelines (Information)
• Consumer Authorization Form
• Student National Art Education Association (SNAEA) (Information)
• Student Michigan Education Association (SMEA) (Information)
• Academic Requirements (Information)

Following are more detailed descriptions of each form in the Orientation Packet:

Michigan Code of Ethics and Michigan Code of Ethics Signature Form

The Michigan State Board of Education adopts a Code of Ethics to articulate the ethical standards to which professional educators are expected to adhere in their job performance. The Michigan Code of Ethics embraces the values of Service Toward the Common Good; Mutual Respect; Equity; Diversity; and Truth and Honesty. All students are required to sign the Michigan Code of Ethics Signature form to certify they have read and agree to uphold the values outlined in the Michigan Professional Educator’s Code of Ethics.

Student Contact Information and Student Release Form

This form is filled out every semester to update current addresses and phone numbers, in addition to including authorization for Art Education Department use of possible video, photographic and film data of the student. This form is filed in the student’s art education student file.

Field Trip Description Form

This form provides a description of the field trip and lists emergency contact information for the student. The form also provides student authorization and release to allow off campus course related learning experiences. 

Teacher Certification Compliance Report and Questions Regarding Convictions

Recent “School Safety” legislation (2005 PA 129-131 and 138) requires the CCS Art Education Department report persons with felony convictions and/or misdemeanors to the State of Michigan Department of Education. The following are considered misdemeanors:

• Criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree
• Attempt to commit criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree
• Child abuse in the third or fourth degree
• Attempt to commit child abuse in the third or fourth degree
• Cruelty, torture, or indecent exposure involving a child
• Delivery of a narcotic to a minor or student or within 1000 feet of school
• Breaking and entering
• Knowingly allowing a minor to consume or possess alcohol or a controlled substance at a social gathering
• Minor in possession of alcohol or controlled substance
• Accosting, enticing, or soliciting a child for an immoral purpose
• Larceny from a vacant dwelling
• Assault; assault and battery
• Assault; infliction of a serious injury
• Selling or furnishing alcoholic liquor to a person less than 21 years of age
• Shoplifting
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Students will be asked on three occasions to report their status:

• Entry to the Professional Program
• Application to Directed Teach (Student Teach)
• Application to be certified by the State of Michigan to teach

Forthright and accurate reporting of criminal history is the responsibility of each student so concerns can be addressed in a timely fashion.

Please see the Chair of the Art Education Department for more information regarding felony or misdemeanor definitions if you have concerns. Failure to report a conviction, which shows up in a criminal records check may result in denial or revocation of your teaching certification.

Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) (Information)

In accordance with the State of Michigan Department of Education, in order to be certified, all CCS Art Education students must take and pass the MTTC.

The MTTC test is a content area test, LQ Visual Arts Education (test code 095). Ideally, we advise this test be taken after the student takes their final methods course or just prior to beginning their Directed Teaching (Student Teaching) placements. It is also mandatory that students take and pass the content area test prior to doing their Directed Teaching (Student Teaching) and to qualify for graduation and final certification. See Tier III for details on the content area test. To sign up for the MTTC tests the student must complete the online registration process and take the test at a site of their choice. Information regarding dates, times, costs, and locations may be found at https://www.mttc.nesinc.com. When registering for the test, check the “secondary” box if given a grade level option and College For Creative Studies as the certifying institution. The cost of the MTTC LQ Visual Arts Education Test (test code 095) is $129.00 and is computer-based.

The score report will be emailed if the student requests this option when registered. It is the student’s responsibility to keep a copy of the results of the tests in their personal records. Federal law prohibits CCS from providing anyone with the results of a student’s test. Furthermore, it is against the law for any employer to request the test results. Your test scores may not be used as a tool for employment. However, employers have the right to request proof of pass or fail, which you must comply with.

Field Experience Log

The CCS Art Education Department believes that students of art education should experience the teaching and learning environment from the beginning of their studies. Each art education student is required to observe and assist in classrooms across the curriculum beginning with DAE 200 so that they may be better prepared to serve all K-12 students. Hours are recorded and signed off by classroom supervisors on the Field Experience Log. The Art Education Department determines specific Field Experience placements for each student. We are extremely fortunate to have a 6- through 12-grade charter school on our campus, in which CCS art education students begin doing their Field Experience placements.

Professional Behaviors and Dispositions Form (Information)

While in DAE 200 students are introduced to the Professional Behaviors and Dispositions, a major component of the CCS Art Education program that defines the qualities of a highly effective teacher. Students are held accountable for skills in Leadership, Reflective Learning, Pedagogy, Communication Skills, and Timeliness. The instructor in each of the Art Education classes fills out a Professional Behaviors and Disposition form for each student at the end of each semester and reviews the results with the student. If the instructor identifies areas where the student needs to make improvements at the midterm, the instructor can opt to fill out the form at that time and determine a course of action as agreed upon by the student. The student will have the remainder of the semester to implement the improvement plan and demonstrate improvement by the end of the semester. Both the instructor and student will sign off on the form. Results from these forms are filed in the student’s art education file.

Admission to the Art Education Professional Program Recommendation Form

Each student must have two (2) CCS professors or other appropriate references from outside of the Art Education Department complete and submit to the Art Education Department a Recommendation Form for Admission to the Art Education Professional Program. The forms will be filed in the student’s art education file and results of the forms may be factored into the decision to allow admittance into the Art Education Department as a candidate for certification.

Program Admissions Essay Guidelines (Information)

As part of acceptance into the program, the candidate must complete a one-page Essay during DAE 200 stating why they are pursuing a career in Art Education. Suggested lines of thought might include, but are not limited to:

• Reasons why you want to be a teacher in general
• Reasons why you want to teach art specifically
• Who or what inspired you to pursue this career path

The purpose of the essay is to encourage the student to reflect on their inspiration to teach and convey in writing their decision to add Art Education to their degree path. This is not to be confused with the Teaching Philosophy, which is a requirement for each course. The Teaching Philosophy focuses on what and how you want to teach and the Program Admissions Essay focuses on why you want to teach art.

Proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation are important in the essay. The Program Admissions Essay will be added to the student’s art education file and will provide a record of the student’s writing skills.

Consumer Authorization Form

All students are required to sign the Consumer Authorization form to allow CCS to conduct a background check. Since July 1, 2008, it is state-mandated that individuals “employed full-time or part-time or assigned to regularly and continuously work under contract, shall be fingerprinted for the purpose of performing a criminal history background check” including substitute teachers (see https://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-5683_39798—,00.html School Legislation Summary). Although the interpretation varies by district, with respect to student teachers they should expect that fingerprinting would be required prior to their Directed Teaching (Student Teaching) placement. Directions for fulfilling this requirement will be coordinated with the district. Typically, this will require that the student-teacher go to an approved site to complete fingerprinting. Costs will be incurred by the student-teacher, as it will be used for state requirements in any permanent job application process. In some instances, the district may also require a background check and fingerprinting prior to doing Field Service.

Student National Art Education Association (SNAEA) (Information)

Students are invited to join the student chapter of the National Art Education Association, which provides National membership in addition to membership in the State chapter of the Michigan Art Education Association. Additionally, it not only provides a student network of art educators from around the nation, but it provides access to the MAEA fall conference.

Student Michigan Education Association (SMEA) (Information)

Application to the student chapter of the Michigan Education Association is optional but encouraged. Membership in the MEA is required for student teaching as it provides students with one million dollars of liability insurance while they are assigned to the classroom.

Academic Requirements (Information)

It is the student’s responsibility to maintain an overall grade point average of 2.50. Additionally, students must maintain a cumulative grade point average in Art Education courses of 2.70. All required art education courses, including the 12 credits in art history, must be passed with a 2.0 (C) or better. If a student does not obtain a grade of C or better in any of the required Art Education courses, they may opt to take the course again. The higher grade is always recorded.

The Center for Tutoring and Writing is available for all students seeking assistance with any course content.

TIER II: Professional Program

After completing all of the requirements in Tier I students are considered eligible for entry into the Art Education Professional Program (Tier II) and become a Candidate for LQ Visual Arts Education Certification. Failure to complete all of the requirements in Tier I, including filling out the forms and signing the documents, may deter entry into DAE 315.

DAE 315 Elementary Methods, Materials, and Literacy

The next course in the sequence is a content area course focusing on teaching and learning in the elementary curriculum. This course incorporates the theory and practice learned in Human Development (DAE 250) with the philosophy of education discussed in Education Foundations (DAE 200) and applies it to K-8 lesson planning. DAE 315 also addresses state and national standards and benchmarks, classroom management, and current teaching practices.

In conjunction with the Elementary Methods course, student candidates are placed in an elementary art classroom to complete the required 30 hours of Field Experience. Student

Assisting/Practicum placements are made and monitored by the Art Education Department office. Each student will be evaluated by the classroom teacher using the form titled Student Assisting Practicum for Art Education Candidates for Use in DAE 315 and DAE 405 and Evaluation Form.

DAE 405 Secondary Methods, Materials, and Literacy

DAE 405 is the final course in the Professional Program sequence prior to the Directed Teaching (Student Teaching) experience. DAE 405 addresses teaching art at the high school level, meeting the state and national standards, lesson planning, classroom management, and a wide range of studio experiences.

In conjunction with the Secondary Methods course, student candidates are placed in a secondary art classroom to complete the required 30 hours of Field Service Experience (Student Assisting/Practicum). Placements are made and monitored by the Art Education Department office. As with DAE 315, the teacher in the classroom where the student candidate is placed will complete the Student Assisting Practicum for Art Education Candidates for Use in DAE 315 and DAE 405 and Evaluation Form.

DAE 407 Reading Language Arts, Materials, and Methods

The final course in the professional program is DAE 407 Reading Language Arts, Materials, and Methods, a reading literacy course. The Michigan Definition of Reading, supported by the International Reading Association, defines reading as “the process of constructing meaning through the dynamic interaction among the reader’s existing knowledge, the information suggested by the written language, and the context of the reading situation.” Preparation of students seeking initial certification at the elementary and secondary levels should be based on both this definition and the following premises:

• The act of reading is critical to learning in all subject areas.
• The ultimate goal of reading instruction is to develop independent, strategic, motivated readers…

Although the visual arts endorsement is classified as a secondary endorsement, candidates are certified K-12 art. Because of this the CCS DAE 305 Reading Language Arts course addresses both elementary and secondary reading in the content area. Additionally, students must complete 10 hours of reading observation that includes one-on-one reading instruction in an elementary and secondary setting.

Service Learning

Candidates accepted into the Art Education Program must complete a community-based Service Learning Project in a supervised setting.

The Service Learning requirement is intended to reinforce the importance of community service by giving Art Education students the opportunity to experience educational leadership through service. Art Education students will share their talents and knowledge about art and art making, while at the same time learning about the community they serve. The end result is a lasting contribution to a community not otherwise served, benefiting both student and teacher alike.

The Service Learning Project must be conducted for a minimum of 20 contact hours with children, youth, or adults in a supervised setting such as: developmental center, after-school program, organized youth group, community center, hospital, or other approved site. The Service Learning project can be done at any time during the Professional Program but must be completed prior to the candidate’s Directed Teaching (Student Teaching) placement. Candidates may work in groups of two or more if desired. The hours spent working in service count toward the 115 Field Experience hours candidates must accumulate before Directed Teaching (Student Teaching).

Proposed projects have included murals or street painting with youth groups, creating art with youth in mentoring programs, and teaching craft projects to developmentally impaired students at galleries or developmental centers. Students are encouraged to seek out their own sites in the community for Service Learning, with input from the Art Education Department.

Before embarking on the Service Learning Project, students are required to have the project approved by the Department Chair via the Service Learning Project Form found on the Art Education CANVAS site.

All hours are to be logged on the Field Experience sheet and signed-off by the supervisor or teacher as completed. Upon completion, a digitally supported presentation including visuals is made to share the project experience with peers in DAE 200.

The Service Learning Project is an opportunity for both the Art Education student and the individuals with whom they will work to create important and meaningful experiences.

Application for Directed Teaching Packet

Three to six months prior to your Directed Teaching (Student Teaching) placement DAE 510 Directed Teaching art education candidates must complete the Directed Teaching Application. The Application, found on the Art Education CANVAS page, is extensive and is comparable to a job application. Please give yourself ample time to complete the application in a professional manner. All pages must be digitally prepared (not hand written). Check with the Art Education office for the appropriate due date. Due dates are strictly adhered to.

When you have completed the Directed Teaching Application, your information will be sent out to local districts. Each application is reviewed by the local district’s Human Resources Department and forwarded to an elementary or secondary school for review by the principal and art teacher. If the art teacher is interested in working with the candidate, generally a date will be set up for an interview between the CCS Art Education Candidate and the art teacher. Every effort is made to place the CCS student in the best placement for the student.

It is the policy of the CCS Art Education Department to not place students in the elementary or secondary school they attended or where their children go to school.

Additionally, students who are already the teacher of record in a school may not use their professional placement for the student teaching semester and must participate in the traditional student teaching placement. Special circumstances may be considered depending on availability of placements and length of time away from the schools for Teacher Certification post-graduates.

The Chair of the Art Education Department with the Certification Officer, are responsible for the arrangement and placement of teacher candidates in schools. Students are asked not to confer with school districts; such placements cannot be honored. Students will be notified when placements are official.

TIER III: Directed Teaching (Student Teaching) Experience

The final two courses in the professional program sequence are DAE 510 Directed Teaching and DAE 520 Professional Seminar taken simultaneously.

DAE 510 Directed Teaching

DAE 510 is the Directed Teaching (Student Teaching) placement. After completing the Application for Directed Teaching Packet the candidate will be placed in an elementary art education setting for eight-weeks and a secondary art education setting for eight-weeks. The placements will be equally divided between urban and suburban districts based on availability. This is a full-time teaching experience worth 12 credits (see the Directed Teaching Handbook on CANVAS for details).

DAE 520 Professional Seminar

DAE 520 is a two-hour weekly seminar designed to inform and engage the student teacher candidate in conversation regarding pertinent issues in education. Students prepare a professional resume and digital portfolio and pursue job searches. Representatives from CCS Career Services can work with the Art Education students to assist them in their career search.

DAE 510 and DAE 520 total 12 credits. It is up to the student to enroll in DAE 510 and DAE 520 to receive credit for the placements.

Directed Teaching Handbook

The Directed Teaching Handbook is a concise guide to prepare artists/educators to teach and is updated on a regular basis. The student teacher is expected to follow the outlined procedures in the Directed Teaching Handbook and must certify prior to their Directed Teaching (Student Teaching) placement that they have read and understand the requirements for Directed Teaching (Student Teaching). See the Directed Teaching Handbook on CANVAS for details.