FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tracie Stone
Ph: 603-493-2647
E-mail: tracie.stone@granite.edu

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVES NEW EDUCATION CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS AT GRANITE STATE COLLEGE
Approved programs enable teachers to better meet the needs of a diverse student body. Improves marketability of Granite State College graduates.

January 25, 2008- The New Hampshire State Board of Education recently granted approval to Granite State College for two professional educator preparation certification programs offered as part of the College’s Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program.

The Board extended a five-year approval for Granite State College’s Elementary Education Certification Program and a two-year approval for its Reading Specialist Certification Program.

"The faculty and administration are to be commended for their sincere efforts to provide quality programs for preparing educators for the state of New Hampshire," said Dr. Judith Fillion, Director from the Division of Program Support for the State of New Hampshire Board of Education. "Thank you for the efforts your program is making to ensure that certification candidates meet the New Hampshire Educator Standards."

According to Dr. Mary Ford, Associate Dean of Education Programs for Granite State College, the newly-approved Elementary Education certification will be paired with Granite State College’s General Special Education certification, creating a dual certification.

"This dual certification creates stronger classroom teachers able to meet the demands of teaching all students," said Dr. Ford. "It also increases our graduates’ marketability as professionals, encourages mobility between regular and special education classrooms and enhances collaboration between regular and special education teachers."

Through the newly-approved Reading Specialist Certification Program, New Hampshire teachers will have the tools necessary to develop and implement affective reading programs and be better prepared to meet the varied literacy needs of all students.

Designed with the needs of working professionals in mind, Granite State College’s Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program enables students to continue earning an income and accrue up to 2,700 hours of field experience while working toward teacher certification.

The mentored, field-based approach used in the program affectively blends theory and practice. Students work independently while completing reading and program assignments and then move on to implementing classroom activities and lesson plans under the guidance of a Granite State College faculty advisor and a mentor teacher.

Monthly meetings between students and faculty advisors take place in person at a mutually agreed upon location with additional contact taking place through e-mail or by telephone.

Candidates for admission to Granite State College’s Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program must have a Bachelor’s degree, 3.0 GPA and passing Praxis I scores. They must also be employed as a teacher or para-educator in one of New Hampshire’s approved public or private schools.

Students taking four credits or more are eligible for financial aid in each term and may qualify for the forgivable loan program administered by the New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation.

All PBTC courses earn post-baccalaureate credits. Students may apply up to 24 credits toward a Masters of Education degree at Keene State College, and up to 16 credits toward a Masters of Education degree at Plymouth State University.

Granite State College is approved for certification in the following areas:

• General Special Education
• Double Certification in General Special Education and Elementary Education
• Reading Specialist
• Learning Disabilities
• Emotional/Behavioral Disorders
• Mental Retardation.

Granite State College is one of four University System of New Hampshire institutions and a leader in online education. It offers associate and bachelor degrees, post-baccalaureate programs for teacher education and transfer opportunities.

With nine academic centers located throughout New Hampshire, Granite State College is committed to delivering affordable and convenient access to higher education via innovative programming.

Learn more about Granite State College and its Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program by visiting www.granite.edu.