Teacher Education Regional Agreement (RTEA) James Madison University Blue Ridge Community College Lord Fairfax Community College Piedmont Virginia Community College

An Orientation to the RTEA for community college students interested in teacher education programs at James Madison University

Will You Be Attending … Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC) or Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) ? ? ? ?

Do You Want to Teach? Inclusive Early Childhood Birth – 3rd Elementary PreK-6 Middle School 6-8 Art PreK-12 Foreign Language PreK-12 Health/Physical Education PreK-12 Special Education K-12 Biology 6-12 Chemistry 6-12 Earth Science 6-12 English 6-12 History/Social Studies 6-12 Mathematics 6-12 Physics 6-12

Just follow this step-by step guide Then the RTEA Is for You ! Just follow this step-by step guide to become part of the R T E A

First, the R T E A vs. the G A A The RTEA and the GAA are not the same. Here’s the difference: GAA = Guaranteed Admission Agreement The GAA guarantees admission to JMU from certain community colleges – IF you meet all of the GAA requirements. It does not guarantee admission to JMU’s teacher education programs. It requires completing certain community college courses before the last community college semester Visit JMU’s GAA website at: http://www.jmu.edu/transfer/VCCStransfer/index.shtml

The R T E A RTEA = Regional Teacher Education Agreement The RTEA applies only to students from Blue Ridge, Lord Fairfax, and Piedmont Virginia Community Colleges It helps you take the most appropriate community college courses … So that you won’t lose precious time when you transfer to JMU (Note that some JMU teacher education programs may have additional requirements. Please check with your JMU program contact person.)

This Means … The GAA and the RTEA are not the same - but they work together to give you the best transfer into JMU’s teacher education programs

So… Let’s learn more !

Your First Semester at BRCC, LFCC, or PVCC …. First, meet with your advisor: Blue Ridge Community College – Donna Mayes Lord Fairfax Community College – Lori Killough Piedmont Virginia Community College – Kemper Steele Then, complete this online RTEA orientation. Print out both this orientation PowerPoint and the Intent Form at the end of the orientation.

Next … Complete the Intent Form. Take both the form and the PowerPoint print out to your advisor. Your advisor must sign the Intent Form and send it to JMU for you to be part of the RTEA. The form is invalid without your advisor’s signature.

And Then … Check out the curriculum guideline for the subject area you want to teach. Take the first semester courses outlined in the guideline. Do NOT make any course substitutions without checking with your advisor !

And Finally … IF you have qualifying ACT or SAT scores … you don’t need to take the Praxis I ! ACT – 24 Composite 46 English plus Reading 22 Math SAT – 1100 Combined 530 Verbal 530 Math

… Just Send Your ACT/SAT Scores to JMU James Madison University Education Support Center MSC 6915 7230 Memorial Hall Harrisonburg, VA 22807 If you have other questions ~~ Phone: 540-568-6274 Fax: 540-568-3342 Email: teacher-ed@jmu.edu

Your Second Semester at BRCC, LFCC, or PVCC …. Meet with your community college advisor. Update your RTEA Intent Form, especially if – your expected enrollment/start date at JMU has changed. you’ve changed your intended teacher education program.

And …. Take the second semester courses on your curriculum guide. Do NOT make any course substitutions without checking with your advisor ! Maintain your GPA … a 3.0 is needed to qualify for the RTEA option at JMU.

And If You Didn’t Take, or Don’t Have, Qualifying Scores on the ACT or SAT … Register to take the Praxis I. It’s better to take Praxis I toward the end of your second semester so that you will have taken the reading, writing, and math courses to help you obtain passing scores.

Here’s How to Register for the Praxis I Go to http://www.jmu.edu/coe/esc/praxis for directions on registering for the Praxis I (either computer or pencil-and-paper is fine). Be sure to have your scores sent to JMU.  The Attending Institution & Recipient Code for JMU is 5392.

Celebrate because …. you’re half way there !

Your Third Semester at BRCC, LFCC, or PVCC …. Meet with your community college advisor – again! Are you on track with your course work? Remember that– for the GAA – certain English, math, and science courses must be completed before your last community college semester How is that GPA? Continue taking the courses on your curriculum guide. Remember – NO substitutions!

Did you pass your Praxis I exam? If not, arrange to retake it. Talk with your advisor about the best strategy for getting a passing composite score. Are there help classes you can take ? Should you try a different format – pencil/paper rather than computer, or computer rather than pencil/paper?

Did you pass your Praxis I exam? Remember that you need a composite score of 532. Retake the parts that you didn’t pass the first time. and/or Consider retaking a part that you have already passed . (If you get a higher score this time, it can help raise your composite score.)

Your Last Semester at BRCC, LFCC, or PVCC …. Meet with your community college advisor – AGAIN ! Update your RTEA Intent Form if needed. Bring both your Intent Form and this Orientation PowerPoint to the meeting. Check that GPA once more. Continue taking the courses on your curriculum guide.

Your Last Semester at BRCC, LFCC, or PVCC …. Complete the JMU Guaranteed Admission Agreement (GAA) Letter of Intent for: BRCC LFCC PVCC NOTE: This is NOT the same as the RTEA Intent Form ! Have your counselor sign the Letter of Intent BRCC – Kate McDaniel LFCC – Kate McDaniel PVCC – Kemper Steele Send your GAA Letter of Intent to the JMU Admissions Office.

And …. http://www.jmu.edu/admissions/transfer Apply for admission to JMU. Use the JMU online application form. March 1 for the fall semester January 15 for the summer October 15 for the spring semester Be sure to check out the JMU transfer website for more information: http://www.jmu.edu/admissions/transfer

The Home Stretch …. you’re almost there !

Before You Begin Your Classes at JMU Be sure to attend a JMU orientation session for transfer students. And the special orientation for teacher education transfers.

Now It’s Time to Decide: Is the RTEA the Right Program for You? Print out the RTEA Intent Form. Take the completed form to your advisor. Download and/or print out this PPT to use as your checklist reminder. Start taking your community college course work !

We look forward to seeing you at JMU !