Retention Policy of the Department of Teacher Education and Deployment Policy of VSU Tolosa

(BOR Resolution No. 56, s. 2024)

I. Rationale

Based on RA 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education, under Section 6, paragraph 2 which states, “students who fail to comply with the admission and retention policies of SUCs and LUCs are ineligible to the free tertiary education”. This legal basis provides all SUCs and LUCs to implement admission and retention policies to ensure those who pass these requirements shall be eligible to avail this privilege are prepared high school and college

students.

Further, CHED Memorandum Order No. 52, series of 2007, “Addendum to CMO 30, series of 2004 titled as Revised Policies and Standards for Undergraduate Teacher Education Curriculum” under section 7, the admission and retention, which states that “Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) must have a system of selective admission into the programs of teacher education… However, students must meet certain minimum requirements to be set by the school before the student can proceed to the major/professional education courses”.

Based on the findings of the Regional Quality Assurance Team (RQAT) inspection, VSU Tolosa handbook does not satisfy the minimum criteria set by all legal bases in operating a teacher education program. Further, the deployment policy, applicable to incoming teacher interns, will give an avenue for students to exhibit the best of their knowledge and abilities in preparation for their student teaching life. It is inspired by the department to deploy highly competent, equipped and morally upright teacher interns to cooperating schools which can provide quality education.

Hence, the Department of Teacher Education of VSU Tolosa proposes the Teacher Education Retention and Practice Teaching Deployment Policy (TERPTDP) which aims to strengthen its implementation gearing towards globally competitive teacher education graduates.

II. Retention Policy for New Freshmen and Continuing Students

1. All new freshmen and continuing students who passed the VSU College Admission Test (VSU-CAT) who are enrolled in the Teacher Education programs must satisfy the following academic requirements, after the first (1st) academic year of stay in the University:
   

   1.1 A grade of not below “3.0” in no more than 26-50% of the total number of academic units at the end of each semester (Chapter 51, Sec. 377a, VSU Code);
   1.2. No failing grade (5.0) in 50% or more of the total number of academic units at the end of each semester (Chapter 51, Sec. 377b, VSU Code);
   1.3.  A general weighted average (GWA) of “2.25” or better (including PE courses);
   1.4 Undergo an interview and take the Education Diagnostic Exam; the result will guide the department, through its academic adviser/s, in the design of student’s career placement, and academic support/tutorial services, if deemed necessary;
   1.5. A qualifying examination shall be conducted by the department to any student who wishes to take the BSEd program. This test shall determine the readiness of the prospective students in taking the program majorships in terms of content knowledge, and breadth of intelligence as required by relevant CHED and University memoranda.

2. A student who fails to satisfy item I1.1 shall be WARNED by the department head, thru the academic adviser/s, to improve his/her academic performance in the succeeding semesters.
   
   
3. A student who fails to satisfy item I1.2 shall be placed on PROBATION for the next semester, subject to the following conditions:
   

   3.1. A grade of “3.0” or better in more than 50% of the academic units in the succeeding semester;
   3.2. Enroll in the succeeding semester with lesser academic load, as per recommendation of the academic adviser and upon approval of the department head, with I3.1 requirement satisfied (Chapter 51, Sec. 377b, VSU Code). Failure to meet this condition will disqualify the student from continuing the program. The concerned academic adviser will interview, assess, and advise the student to shift to other degree program in which the student exhibits more interests or better chance of success (i.e., based on grades in other General Education (GE) courses or fundamental subjects and interview);
   3.3. Write an on-the-spot essay (after an interview) on current and pressing education- related issues administered by the academic adviser, who will then recommend for or against the continuation of the student under the education program, rated using an analytic rubric devised by the department for this matter.

4. A student who receives a computed GWA below “2.50” shall be subject to PROBATION with conditions applicable to it as stated in I3.
   
   
5. A student who receives a grade of “INC” (incomplete) in a subject must comply within one (1) academic year (2 semesters) without being placed on PROBATION. Failure to comply within the prescribed period shall automatically mean a grade of “5.0” (Chapter 49, Sec. 360 and 361, VSU Code). Furthermore, grade requirements, stated on I1.1 to I1.3, must be fulfilled; otherwise, he/she shall be WARNED or be placed on PROBATION subject to conditions as stated on I2 and I3 with its sub-lists, respectively.
   

   5.1. For subjects with no prerequisite/s, the 1-academic year moratorium (2 semesters) shall be applied;
   5.2. For subjects with prerequisite/s, all INCs shall be complied before registration/enrollment to its succeeding course/s.

III. Retention Policy for Shiftees, Returnees, and Transferees

1. No student will be admitted as a bonafide education student without the following documents:
   

   For Shiftees:

   • duly approved shifting form
   • duly signed Plan of Coursework (old and new program)
   • duly approved department clearance (of the old program)

   For Returnees under Absence without Office Leave (AWOL) status:

   • approved Letter of Intent for Readmission (LIR) for AWOL returnees (for certain cases/reasons)
   • duly signed General Clearance
   • approved Leave of Absence (LOA) (filed a semester prior to readmission)
   • accomplished readmission form (to be filed 2 weeks before the start of the enrollment period)

   For Returnees with approved LOA prior to leaving the University:

   • duly signed General Clearance
   • approved Leave of Absence (LOA) (filed a semester prior to readmission)
   • accomplished readmission form (to be filed 2 weeks before the start of the enrollment period)

   For Transferees:

   • TOR with Certificate of Transfer Credentials;
   • Advance Crediting Form (for courses taken in previous school for crediting).

   ▪ Crediting of courses shall only be done once; upon entry to the University.

2. Once he/she is admitted to the teacher education program, he/she shall follow the academic requirements stated on I1 to I5.

IV. Practice Teaching Deployment Policy

A. Pre-deployment

1. A practice teaching applicant shall submit and attain the following academic requirements prior to deploymen

1.1. duly signed practice teaching application form with all documentary requirements attached, as follows:

1.1.1. duly notarized parent’s/guardian’s consent and waiver;
1.1.2. medical certificate, issued by a licensed physician from any DOH-accredited medical facility, indicating that the teacher-intern applicant is physically fit to be deployed under the Practice Teaching Program.

1.2. enrolled in PrEd 200 only (with all prerequisites taken);

1.3. completed INCs

1.3.1. for subjects with no prerequisite/s, the 1-academic year moratorium (2 semesters) shall be applied;
1.3.2. for subjects with prerequisite/s, all INCs shall be complied before registration/enrollment to PrEd 200.

1.4. as a form of revalidation procedures, the following conditions shall be met by the teacher-intern applicant:

1.4.1. a grade of at least 2.25 (“Very Satisfactory”) on the pre-deployment teaching demonstration in accordance to the approved performance instrument of the Department; and
1.4.2. an overall remark of “recommended” on the panel interview.

 2. All successful practice teaching applicants will be invited to attend the pinning ceremony, together with their parents/guardian, to officially signify their status as VSU Tolosa Practice Teachers (CHED Memo 104, s. 2017, para. 14.2.1.j).

B. Rules and Regulations for Deployment in Cooperating Schools

1. 1.  A full-fledged practice teacher shall uphold the good name of the university, exercise high standards of teaching, and always observe morally acceptable attitudes and behaviors.
      
      
   2. Follow the rules and regulations of the Department of Education (DepEd), cooperating schools, and its officials.
      
      
   3. A practice teacher shall achieve the following requirements prior to his/her next assignment:

3.1. a grade of at least 2.25 (“Very Satisfactory”) during the evaluation;
3.2. cleared of responsibilities as identified by his/her cooperating teacher;
3.3. an overall remark of “recommended for new assignment” given by the panel of evaluators (DTE faculty members, 1 co-practice teacher, cooperating teacher, and head of school/duly recognized representative).

C. Conduct of Exit Conference

1. 1. All practice teachers shall organize and conduct an exit conference for all their cooperating teachers at VSU Tolosa as a culminating activity of the practice teaching course (CHED Memo 104, s. 2017, para. 142.2.2.g; VSU-DepEd Memorandum of Agreement, Section 1.4, series 2018).

  2. The main objective for the conduct of such activity is to provide an avenue for the cooperating schools and teachers to personally express their feedback and recommendations for the improvement of the Practice Teaching Program. Subsidiary to this, it will give appreciation and honor to participating teachers and  schools who served as cooperating partners, and who extended their well-earned knowledge and experiences as public-school teachers.

V. Coverage

These policies shall apply to all students taking any teacher education program, including

related teacher education programs approved for implementation henceforth.

VI. Effectivity

Upon approval by the VSU Board of Regents, it shall be effective starting in the 1st Semester, AY 2024-2025.