Moral Character and Personal Fitness Policy

Teacher Certification Programs at SPU include experiences working closely with children in public and private schools. The protection of children is of paramount concern.

Consequently, the 教育学院 reserves the right to refuse placement of any SPU student/teacher candidate in any field experience based on, 但不限于, 行为意向. Any SPU teacher candidate registering for any 教育学院 course that involves working with children does so with the following understanding:

• Admission to the course and subsequent placement with children may be denied if fitness for such a placement is questionable in the exclusive judgment of the University.
• The teacher candidate may be required to withdraw from the course, 实习的经验, or the certification program should the 教育学院 receive information that raises a concern about the fitness of the teacher candidate to work with children.
• Information received about the fitness of the teacher candidate working with children may be shared with the school district to determine whether a placement can, and should, 被制造或继续.
• Ultimately, the SPU 教育学院 cannot override school districts regarding placement of teacher candidates as practicum placements are dependent on school district cooperation and approval.
• Denial of, or removal from, a practicum setting due to lack of fitness to work with children will result in the teacher candidate being denied admission to the Teacher Education program or in being removed from the program if the teacher candidate has already been admitted.
• In addition to satisfying the requirements of SPU Teacher Certification requires that good moral character and personal fitness must be established by each teacher candidate with the Office of Professional Practices in Washington state’s Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
• Disposition — the 教育学院 reserves the right to excuse any student who demonstrates inappropriate or belligerent behavior toward instructors, peers, 或者大学官员. Please see the 教育学院 handbook for more details.   

For more information please refer to the the Residency Certification Handbook or contact the 教育学院 Certification Office.