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STAR Information






 

Course Description:

                STAR (Students Teaching and Reaching) is a high school course designed to attract students to the field of education, provide information and field experiences relevant to pursuing a degree in education, and to prepare them for the rigors of a career in education so they will remain long-term educators.  The STAR curriculum includes four major units listing below.  STAR is to serve as the one teacher preparation course to be used by all secondary teachers in Louisiana.  (As taken from the STAR Curriculum Guide 2010)

 

Requirements for Students to take STAR:

  1. Students must be juniors or seniors in high school.
  2. All students must complete an application packet including parental/guardian approval, three teacher recommendations, and an essay explaining the reason for choosing to participate in the program.
  3. All students participate in an interview with the STAR Review Panel and are approved for admission to the program.
  4. All students have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

 

Successful Completion:

                In order for students to receive a Completion Certificate in the STAR program, they must meet/complete the following:

  1. All required STAR lessons as delivered by the teacher.
  2. Twenty hours of field experience.

a.  Five hours must be conducted in all of the following levels: preschool/elementary, middle school, high school, and special education classrooms.  Students are encouraged to participate in additional field experience whenever possible.

b.  The remaining required field experience hours will include experiences in one classroom doing tutorial, one-on-one, small group, and/or large group work.  If time permits, students may complete additional field experiences in alternate classroom settings.

c.  All STAR students will teach at least one lesson, under the supervision of a cooperating teacher , to a small group or whole class of students (in their field placement).

  1. Each STAR student completes a STAR portfolio in compliance with the required components identified in the STAR Manual.
  2. Students must complete the course with a grade of “B” or higher.

 

 

 

Articulation Credit:

                Upon successful completion of the program (all course requirements and a grade of “B” or higher), students may receive college credit for taking the STAR course. 

  • Students can obtain credit for entry level education class (i.e. EDU 201).
  • Students must apply and be fully admitted to a post-secondary institution within one year after high school graduation to be eligible.
  • Students must keep a copy of their Completion Certificate and portfolios as proof of completion of the course.
  • Most Louisiana colleges will accept STAR; however, in a case where the course is not normally accepted (LSU), a student can request college credit.
  • The instructor must have a master’s degree.

 

Diploma Endorsement:

                Students that complete the STAR course with an “A” or a “B” may also receive an Academic Diploma Endorsement.

  • Students must complete high school in the TOPS Opportunity Curriculum (Career & Technical).
  • Students must have scored a minimum of 20 on the ACT or Silver Level on the Work Keys Assessment.
  • Students may earn three hours of articulated credit or an Industry Based Certificate (IBC).

 

Additional information about these topics can be found on the Louisiana Department of Education website at http://www.doe.state.la.us/.