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Transition points are a set of clearly defined benchmarks that allow educator preparation programs to monitor and communicate student progress from admission through program completion and, ultimately, certification/licensure. Each transition point has a set of program-specific criteria that must be met to move to the next stage of the program. Students use Anthology Portfolio to upload evidence of meeting transition point requirements.
Relay’s Educator Preparation Program Transition Points are:
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Educator Preparation Program (EPP) Admission
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Eligibility for Qualifying Clinical Experience
2b. Eligibility for Special Education Clinical Practice I and II (Special Education Candidates only)
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Educator Preparation Program (EPP) Completion
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Certification/Licensure
Because program and certification/licensure requirements vary by state and program, Relay sets unique and specific deadlines for meeting the criteria associated with each transition point, and an expected date by which all requirements for a specific transition point should be met. To complete the educator preparation program requirements on the expected timeline, all requirements must be met by the established transition point deadline. Failure to meet transition point deadlines may result in the inability to register for an upcoming term or specific courses in an upcoming term (see the Academic Program Guide or Academic Catalog for your program for details), a delayed timeline for program completion, additional costs, and/or ineligibility for certification/licensure.
Links to the Transition Points Guides for all Relay educator preparation programs can be found in Appendix E: Educator Preparation Program Transition Points.
Transition Point 1: Educator Preparation Program (EPP) Admission
In addition to meeting Relay’s institutional admissions criteria, applicants to one of Relay’s EPPs must meet admission criteria that are specific to their state and/or program. EPP admission criteria may include, but are not limited to, a bachelor’s degree, specific general and/or content-specific coursework, specific GPA requirements, demonstration of content knowledge, and a background check. Once admitted into the EPP, students begin Relay coursework and work toward meeting the requirements for Transition Point 2.
Transition Point 2: Eligibility for Qualifying Clinical Experience
Relay’s programs include many opportunities for students to gain experience in their certification/endorsement area within school settings. Qualifying clinical experience is the clinical experience aligned to the candidate’s certification/endorsement area that meets state- and program-specific requirements for EPP completion.
Qualifying clinical experience typically takes one of two forms:
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Student teaching: Direct, supervised teaching experience conducted under the supervision of a qualified lead teacher and Relay faculty in a school and classroom setting aligned to the candidate’s certification/endorsement area. Student teaching takes place prior to becoming a teacher of record (i.e., during the residency year).
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Mentored teaching: Service as a teacher of record, typically on a provisional-level certificate/license, in an assignment aligned to the candidate’s certification/endorsement area while under the supervision of Relay faculty and supported by a qualified school-based clinical mentor.
Students must meet eligibility requirements to begin their qualifying clinical experience. Eligibility requirements may include, but are not limited to, demonstration of content knowledge, completion of pre-service coursework, completion of workshops or trainings, and issuance of a provisional-level certificate/license, if applicable.
Qualifying clinical experience is completed while enrolled in designated clinical practice courses at Relay. Students may register for the designated clinical practice course in the expected term based on their academic plan and in anticipation of eligibility for qualifying clinical experience. However, students who do not meet eligibility requirements by the deadline will be unregistered from the clinical practice course, and must register in a future term once eligibility requirements are met.
While completing qualifying clinical experience, students log their progress in Anthology Portfolio, continue with their Relay coursework, and work toward meeting the requirements for Transition Point 3.
Transition Point 2b: Eligibility for Special Education Clinical Practice I and II (Special Education candidates only)
Candidates enrolled in a program leading to certification/licensure in special education must meet program-specific eligibility requirements to begin special education clinical practice courses in the program.
Transition Point 3: Educator Preparation Program (EPP) Completion
Relay students must meet all state- and/or program-specific requirements to be considered an educator preparation program completer. This may include, but is not limited to, passing all coursework in the EPP program of study, meeting state- and/or program-specific GPA or course-specific grade criteria on Relay coursework, successful completion of qualifying clinical experiences, testing or a performance assessment, and meeting all requirements contained in the first two transition points.
To obtain a teaching certificate/license after EPP completion, students need to meet the requirements in Transition Point 4.
Transition Point 4: Certification/Licensure
Educator preparation program completers may need to meet additional state requirements to be eligible for certification/licensure. These may include, but are not limited to, additional testing or a performance assessment, a certain number of years of experience on a provisional-level certificate/license, application for a teaching certificate/license, and/or paying state fees.
At Transition Point 4, the state agency evaluates the application for certification/licensure and issues the certificate/license to students who meet all the state requirements. After Transition Point 4, students may have additional Relay coursework to complete if they are also pursuing a higher education award, such as a Master of Arts in Teaching degree or an Advanced Certificate.
