USM School of Music | Department of Music Education

Tk 20

Tk 20 provides comprehensive systems for account-based assessment, accountability, and reporting. Marilyn Hamilton, Technology Coordinator University of the District of Columbia, stated the following regarding Tk20:

We purchased Tk20’s assessment and reporting solution after using various software programs to aggregate and analyze data for several years – a time consuming and tedious undertaking. We needed a comprehensive solution that would simplify the process of collection, aggregation and analysis of data from all of our systems to be included in our Institutional Report. After completing an exhaustive research, in which we looked at almost every system available, and with the recommendation of a faculty member from Howard University, we selected and licensed the Tk20 system. Tk20’s capabilities for data analysis, aggregation and reporting is outstanding. Tk20’s system is very flexible enabling us to reflect the unique flavor of our university…we don’t have to change the way we operate to adhere to the system. In fact, Tk20 customized our system to satisfy our unique needs – and the support that we’ve received from Tk20 has been exemplary.”

Basic Technology Literacy Exam (BTLE)

The Professional Education Council, the policy-making body for the professional education programs at The University of Southern Mississippi, has mandated that all students entering professional education programs must demonstrate basic technology literacy. This requirement provides a “more level playing field” among the candidates allowing the professional education faculty to build on technological skills that will assist the candidates with integrating these skills into the instructional framework and teaching.

GPA Requirements for Undergraduates

Students majoring in education must maintain a grade-point average of 2.65 to enter the Gold Card Program and enroll in these restricted classes. A grade-point average of 2.5 is required to enroll in the student teaching experience.

Piano Competency

Music education majors (including transfer students) are required to pass the School of Music’s Piano Competency Examination before enrolling in student teaching. Piano competencies are developed through enrollment in a four-semester sequence of piano classes or applied lessons, or a combination of both. For more information, visit Piano Competency to learn more!

Praxis I

MUSIC EDUCATION STUDENTS WITH AN ACT SCORE OF 21 OR HIGHER ARE EXEMPT FROM THE PRAXIS I EXAM. READ PRAXIS II INFORMATION AND PREPARE TO TAKE THAT EXAM.

Praxis II

ALL MUSIC EDUCATION STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE THE PRAXIS II EXAM.

Teacher Candidacy

The teacher candidacy experience is the final undergraduate capstone of Southern Miss’s teacher education program. The primary goal of candidacy is to provide opportunities for prospective teachers to both develop and strengthen the skills and competencies needed to become effective, ethical teachers. The teacher candidacy experience orients students to the responsibilites of a reflective professional and allows for adequate assessment of personal professional strengths which lead to successful completion and/or the need for remediation before graduation.