Continuous Assessment --Student progress in teacher education programs is evaluated through regular review of portfolios assembled by students. Students are asked to save and file all work completed in courses of their teacher education programs. At several points in each program, students review their work with faculty and other students. Portfolio assessment offers opportunities to discuss individual growth as a teacher and learner and to assess progress in addressing programs themes. Effective use of writing in many situations is essential for completion of teacher education programs and is considered in the portfolio assessment process.

Admission to Student Teaching --Student Teaching is required in all teacher education programs. Each student teaching placement requires work and planning on the part of the student, the Director of Student Teaching and Field Experiences, the cooperating faculty in the schools, and the faculty from the department of the student's major. Contact the Office of Admission for application procedures and due dates.

Acceptance for student teaching requires that students in all majors which include Elementary Education and in Middle/Junior High Education complete each course in Teacher Education through Applied Methods (TEAM) with a minimum grade of C, satisfactorily complete a field experience, present a minimum overall GPA of 2.75 based on at least 76 hours of work, and are recommended by the faculty in their area(s) of student teaching. Admission to student teaching in a secondary education program requires that the student has completed or is enrolled in all courses of the major and the professional education programs, has an overall GPA of at least 2.75, has a minimum GPA of 2.75 in the major coursework completed at the time of application, and is recommended by the Teaching and Learning faculty and the student's advisor(s).

Although student teacher placement is usually made in greater Grand Forks and the surrounding area, more distant placements can often be arranged for students whose performance in the program is strong and who are recommended by the faculty. Student teaching placement in the area of social science may be limited by the availability of cooperating teachers.