EPI 0020 - Professional Foundations

2 Institutional credits, 30 Contact hours

Course Description:
This course provides the preprofessional teacher with the foundation for becoming a productive member of the teaching profession. The course provides a study of the organization and administration of the public school, the laws governing teachers, the Code of Ethics, professional conduct, ESOL educational requirements, and the purpose of schools by using a variety of educational websites and through writing a 3-5 page summary. This course develops a professional perspective and provides a basic background of the profession of teaching. The course covers one or more Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs). Evidence of a student’s FEAPs mastery of FEAP competencies are placed in a portfolio.

EPI Contact Info.

EDUCATOR PREPARATION INSTITUTE (EPI) OFFICE: WST-128, Winter Haven Campus
Phone: (863) 292-3642

EPI Mission and Core Objectives

Polk State College is a quality-driven educational institution, providing access to affordable associate and baccalaureate degrees, career certificates, and workforce development programs, delivered by diverse, qualified faculty and staff who are committed to student learning and achievement through the consistent practice of collaboration and focus on excellence. In line with this purpose, Polk State College’s Educator Preparation Institute is committed to recruiting, supporting, producing, and placing highly-qualified, workforce ready teachers in schools with an emphasis on high-need subject areas and specializations in Reading, Math, ESE, ESOL, and Science.
A primary focus of this course is the development of competencies related to the following program learning outcome(s): 

 

Course Objectives:

Accomplished Practice 3: Continuous Improvement
Accomplished Practice 6: Ethics

1. Recognize the need to increase his/her own professional growth by participating in training and other professional development activities.
2. Be familiar with and adhere to the Code of Ethics and Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession of Florida.
3. Participant works to continue the development of her/his own background in instructional methodology, learning theories, second language acquisition theories, trends, and subject matter.
4. Complete meaningful dialogue in response to FEAP’s related discussion questions in PAL.
5. Extend learning with online research relating to educational topics.
6. Develop an Educational Portfolio.
7. Successfully complete 15 hours field experience in a k-12 school site in the participant’s subject area.

EPI textbook

Students receive textbooks and resource materials at the new student orientation. Cost of textbooks is included in course lab fees.

The Gordon Rule

This is not a Gordon Rule course.

Student Help

The professor is available for help during posted hours and by appointment during other non-class hours. Students are encouraged to seek assistance from the professor. To further the educational process, the campus Learning Resources Centers, comprised of the Teaching/Learning and Computing Center (TLCC) and library, are available for student use. Each resource provides qualified staff and up-to-date equipment and facilities to promote students’ academic success. The TLCC provides tutoring services, computing resources, and other instructional support. The library provides information resources, individual and group study space, research assistance, information literacy instruction, and computing resources. Each facility provides free wireless access to the Internet. Polk State College Library and TLCC hours of operation and tutoring schedules are posted at each facility and on the Polk State College website.

Withdrawing From a Course

Students may officially withdraw from course(s) during any given term, provided they follow the appropriate policy and procedure. Following the conclusion of the Drop/Add Period, a student may officially withdraw without academic penalty from any credit course, provided he or she has submitted the appropriate forms to the Student Services Office no later than the published deadline. The published deadline reflects approximately (but no more than) 70% of the term, based upon the course’s scheduled duration. It is the student’s responsibility to submit these withdrawal forms; failure to do so may result in a grade of F in the course. Under the Forgiveness Policy, a student is allowed only three attempts in any one course: one initial enrollment and two repeats. A student is not allowed to withdraw from a third course attempt. Limited admission programs may have specific guidelines regarding withdrawing from courses that vary from this policy. Please see the student handbook for that program for more information. If a student stops attending class, the grade earned, usually an F, is assigned and posted. Prior to withdrawing from a course, the student should consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine what impact, if any, withdrawal from the course will have on his or her financial aid status. A student cannot use course withdrawal to avoid academic dishonesty penalties. A student who has been penalized for academic dishonesty in a course is not eligible to withdraw from the course.

Repeating a Course

Under the Forgiveness Policy, a student is allowed only three attempts in any one college credit course: one initial enrollment and two repeats. Under certain circumstances, a student may petition to repeat a credit course beyond the three attempts. Limited admission programs may have specific guidelines regarding repeating courses that vary from this policy. Please see the student handbook for that program for more information. The student should be aware that repeating a course may result in a higher course cost. A course cannot be repeated unless the previously earned grade is a D, F, or W (the Polk State College Catalog provides further details regarding this process). Prior to repeating a course, the student should consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine what impact, if any, repeating the course will have on his or her financial aid status.

Academic Dishonesty

Each student is responsible for his or her work. It is assumed that each student is honest and will abide by this standard; however, in the event that there is an indication or suspicion of cheating/plagiarism, the situation shall be dealt with in accordance with the published College policy. Copies of this policy are available in the Student Services Office. Students should also refer to the course syllabus for more specific information.

Information Technology Access/Use Policy

All individuals who employ the information technology resources provided by Polk State College (this includes, but is not limited to, telephones, computers, the Polk State College  Local Area and Wide Area Networks, and the Internet) must use these resources for academic purposes only. Use of these resources is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use can result in revocation or suspension of this privilege.

Equal Access/Opportunity

Polk State College is an equal access, equal opportunity institution committed to excellence through diversity in education. The College complies with all state and federal laws granting rights to applicants for admission to the College. Polk State College is committed to the equitable treatment of all students in a learning environment free of discrimination and harassment. Polk State College’s Equity Officer ensures compliance with federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination and sexual harassment. Students who believe they have been a victim of discrimination or sexual harassment should contact the Polk State College Equity Officer, Ms. Valparisa Baker, at 863-292-3602 or vbaker@polk.edu.

Equal Opportunity For Students With Disabilities

The College complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and provides equal educational opportunity for qualified individuals. A student with a disability who requires special accommodations or auxiliary aids under The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the Student Services Office on either campus and speak with the Coordinator of Academic Advising.

 

Attendance:

Attendance is vital to your grade and successful completion of EPI. Each participant is required to attend two Saturday sessions per month and successfully complete the online portion of the course. The instructor will offer one make-up session per course. The instructor will determine the time and place for the make-up session. If you are unable to attend that make-up session, you will not receive a grade for the segment missed and will be required to retake the course. You are not allowed to make-up more than two classes during the program.

 

Additional Policies:

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION: It is mandatory for EPI participants to attend New Student Orientation upon enrolling in the EPI program. Check EPI website for schedule of dates.

PAL: PAL (Polk Access to Learning) is PSC’s online course delivery system.  PAL is used for all EPI Hybrid courses. A hybrid course is a blend of face-to-face instruction with Internet/Online learning. PAL instructions are located on the PSC Homepage.

DISCUSSION: In the EPI hybrid course, a significant part of the course learning is online through discussions. OnlineDiscussion questions are to be completed by the end of the month.

PROFESSIONAL ED PRACTICE QUIZZES: Participants must have all the Professional Education Practice quizzes completed in PAL. A passing score of 80% is necessary for program completion. Participant may retake the quiz as many times as necessary. The quiz is located on the navigation bar of the PAL course homepage. 

FIELD EXPERIENCE:  Segment B -You will complete 15 hours of field experience in public, charter, or private schools. These field experiences will provide the opportunity to gain insight into the instructional process. (15 hours) Refer to the Online Portfolio.
Forms and information is located in the online portfolio guide. Assessment and Reflective journaling must be in the online course dropbox. Observation by Principal or clinically trained observer should be completed and submitted to the EPI office during Professional Foundations or Diversity. Refer to the Online Portfolio.

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