Each candidate will create a professional portfolio which documents his/her growth and performance as a beginning teacher. Assistants will begin the portfolio and it will be used as evidence in their PDS Entrance Interview at the end of the Assistantship semester. Once the candidate is accepted into a PDS, this portfolio will continue to be developed during the Internship I semester, to demonstrate their efforts over the Internship I  field experience and coursework.  Of particular importance is data and evidence demonstrating the intern’s impact upon student learning.  The professional portfolio will be a major focus during Internship II and ELED 422, as candidates prepare to present this portfolio for the final interview. A successful Exit Interview is required for graduation.   Assessors at Portfolio Interview events are Liberal Arts and Sciences faculty, Educational Professions faculty, and Public School faculty.  Candidates are encouraged to place significant importance on this collection of artifacts and to accept the support of Education faculty, Mentor Teachers and University Supervisors in the development and preparation of the portfolio for the Exit Interview.

As stated in the university catalog, candidate must successfully complete an entrance interview in order to be admitted into the Professional Development Schools (end of Phase II, Block I) and must successfully interview with the portfolio in order to exit the program. In the event that a candidate fails to pass the Entrance or Exit Interview, a consultation with a faculty member will be provided.  Candidates will be allowed to complete a second attempt for either portfolio interview.

If the candidate fails on a second attempt of the Exit Interview, the candidate will receive an F in EDUC 422 and would not be able to graduate from the program. Candidates would have the option to retake EDUC 422 and participate in the Portfolio Interview event in a subsequent semester. Candidates would be required to remediate issues in the portfolio requirement. EDUC 422 cannot be taken a third time. 

If the candidate fails after the second attempt on a PDS Entrance Interview, the candidate will take a leave of absence from the program for one semester. The candidate will develop a remediation plan to be completed during the leave of absence and a mock interview with immediate feedback could be arranged.  The candidate must pass a re-entry interview in order to return. 

The credential file may be opened during the internship semesters, and the ongoing maintenance of the candidate’s credential file is the responsibility of the candidate.  There is a $20.00 fee for this service.  To establish the credential file, the candidate should contact:

            Dr. Robbie Cordle, Director

            Office of Career Services

            101 Braddock Road

            Frostburg, MD  21532

            301-687-4403

The Office of Career Services can also support candidates in crafting a resume and developing interview skills.