Search nctq.org

Or search by choosing a tag
Training and Recruitment

Teacher Prep, Licensure, Student Teaching

Staffing

Hiring and Assignment, Supply and Demand, Teacher Diversity, Work Day

Evaluation and Support

Evaluation, Professional Development, Retention and Tenure

Compensation

Pay, Benefits

Building Content Knowledge Tool > Radford University

Radford University

Here is a personalized summary of the current course requirements and recommendations for undergraduate elementary teacher candidates at Radford University, and a detailed analysis of the content covered by those requirements. This tool also offers a recommended set of courses providing the most content coverage for any candidate.

MORE ON THIS STANDARD
How to Use this Tool
Technical Manual
2023 National Findings
Catalog Year: 2021-2022

Radford University

This tool provides individual preparation programs with a customized analysis of the courses required by the undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program and by the institution’s undergraduate general education courses to determine how well these requirements cover essential content in social studies. This tool also uses information about existing coursework on their campuses to provide guidance on a recommended course sequence.

This is a summary of the coverage of social studies¹ content for undergraduate elementary candidates at your institution.

To determine if an elementary teacher preparation program provides adequate coverage² in the primary subject area of social studies through its own requirements or the institution’s requirements, we ask three sequential questions exploring:

  1. Evidence of any social studies coverage;
  2. Evidence of coverage of the six social studies themes; and 
  3. Evidence coursework encompasses the thirteen topics of social studies knowledge required of elementary teachers.

Radford University's Coverage

Coverage of Subject

Does the institution or teacher preparation program require elementary candidates complete any courses in social studies?

YES

The institution/program recommends or requires candidates to complete at least one course classified under the broad domain known as social studies.

NO

The institution/program does not require or recommend candidates to complete at least one course classified under the broad domain known as social studies.

Theme Coverage

Within social studies, there are six themes. Does the institution or teacher preparation program require or recommend courses to ensure each of the themes classified under social studies are covered?

YES

The coursework required of elementary candidates at this institution covers all six themes in social studies: 1. Civics, 2. Economics, 3. History, 4. Geography, 5. Culture & Identity, and 6. Pedagogy.

NO

The coursework required of elementary candidates at this institution does not cover all six themes in social studies: 1. Civics, 2. Economics, 3. History, 4. Geography, 5. Culture & Identity, and 6. Pedagogy.

Topic Coverage

Within the six themes of social studies are thirteen topics common to teaching elementary students. Does this institution or preparation program require or recommend courses to ensure each of the thirteen topics classified under social studies are covered?

YES

Elementary education candidates at this institution must complete at least one course covering each of the thirteen topics.

NO

Elementary education candidates at this institution are not required to take courses covering each of the thirteen topics.

What are the thirteen topics of Social Studies content?
References
  1. While higher education institutions do not use the term “social studies,” the terminology is used in this analysis to represent any alignment between content covered in higher education with what is found in elementary content standards and assessments.
  2. For these purposes, credit for “coverage” is awarded to the program whether the course is mandated through general education requirements for the institution at large or the specific requirements of the educator preparation program.

Continue Reading

See a detailed course analysis for your institution.

This tool illuminates: 

  1. What course options are available to satisfy general education or teacher preparation Requirement Categories;
  2. What courses are required or recommended, either through general education requirements or the teacher preparation program; and
  3. Whether courses cover the themes and topics of social studies content knowledge.

The aim of this tool is to provide an understanding of which courses are most likely to yield the most coverage possible of the content critical for elementary teachers. Because candidates can often choose from a list of courses to meet a Requirement Category, this table provides insight into which of those courses will be most relevant to elementary teaching.

How are Requirements Categories Determined?

Analysts identify both the general education and program graduation requirements found in public-facing materials.

By reviewing each Requirement Category and available course options, analysts identify courses addressing science and social studies content relevant to elementary teachers. The course analysis table indicates what themes and topics each course covers.

View the Course Catalog

Radford University's Content Coverage Analysis

Filter Course Options By Requirement Category

How we define these courses
Themes: Civics Economics History Geography Culture &
Identity		 Pedagogy
US History World History
Topics (hover to see name):

A

Political institutions, Participation, Rules, and Laws

B

Economic Principles and Exchange

C

The Economy

D

European Exploration and Colonization (up to 1700)

E

The American Revolution and Founding (1700s)

F

Growth and Expansion of the American Republic (up to 1900)

G

Twentieth Century and Beyond

H

Pre-Columbian and/or Ancient Civilizations

I

Twentieth Century and Beyond

J

Geographic Representations

K

Human-Environment Interactions

L

Diverse Perspectives

M

Cross-cutting Concepts
Extensive List
Institution offers ten or more course options to fulfill requirement. Courses shown cover at least one applicable topic.
EDUC 415
Methods for Elementary Science Instruction
PHSC 350
Physical Science (GE)
BIOL 103
Environmental Biology (GE)
BIOL 131
Ecology and Adaptation (GE)
CHEM 111
General Chemistry I (GE)
CHEM 120
Chemistry of Life (GE)
CHEM 122
General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry for the Life Sciences (GE)
GEOL 105
Exploring Earth (GE)
PHYS 111
General Physics I
EDUC 420
Methods for Elementary Social Studies Instruction
HIST 101
World History to 1500
HIST 102
World History since 1500
HIST 111
U.S. History to 1865
HIST 112
U.S. History since 1865
GEOG 101
Europe and the Americas (World Geography) (GE)
GEOG 102
Africa and Asia (World Geography)
GEOG 103
Introduction to Human Geography (GE)
GEOG 140
Introduction to Environmental Studies (SS) (GE)
GEOG 201
North America * (SS) (GE)
GEOG 202
The Commonwealth of Virginia * (SS)
GEOG 203
Appalachian Geography * (SS)
GEOG 280
Regional Geography (SS) (WI) (GE)

Continue Reading

See the recommended courses for elementary candidates at your institution.

Here NCTQ outlines (1) the set of courses providing candidates with the content most aligned with what elementary teachers need within current institution and program requirements, and (2) suggestions for courses to fill in gaps where candidates still lack coverage. 

"Most Aligned" Set of Courses

  1. Social Studies Requirement 01

    EDUC 420 - Methods for Elementary Social Studies Instruction

  2. Social Studies Requirement 02

    HIST 102 - World History since 1500

  3. Social Studies Requirement 03

    HIST 111 - U.S. History to 1865

  4. Social Studies Requirement 04

    HIST 112 - U.S. History since 1865

  5. Social Studies Requirement 05

    GEOG 103 - Introduction to Human Geography (GE)

How to Improve Content Coverage

Using the “Most Aligned” Set of Courses, current course requirements can address up to 61.54% coverage of social studies topics.

The topics still lacking coverage include:

  • Diverse Perspectives
  • Political institutions, Participation, Rules and Laws
  • Economic Principles and Exchange
  • The Economy
  • Pre-Columbian and/or Ancient Civilizations

To improve content coverage, the institution or teacher preparation program may need to require additional courses for their candidates to achieve coverage across all topics. Our analysts identified the following courses to cover these topics:

  • Diverse Perspectives: No applicable courses found in NCTQ's analysis
  • Political institutions, Participation, Rules and Laws: No applicable courses found in NCTQ's analysis
  • Economic Principles and Exchange: No applicable courses found in NCTQ's analysis
  • The Economy: No applicable courses found in NCTQ's analysis
  • Pre-Columbian and/or Ancient Civilizations: HIST 101

Analysis of Content Covered with "Most Aligned" Set of Courses

= Course is Currently Recommended or Required by Program

Download Recommendations
Themes: Civics Economics History Geography Culture &
Identity		 Pedagogy
US History World History
Topics (hover to see name):

A

Political institutions, Participation, Rules, and Laws

B

Economic Principles and Exchange

C

The Economy

D

European Exploration and Colonization (up to 1700)

E

The American Revolution and Founding (1700s)

F

Growth and Expansion of the American Republic (up to 1900)

G

Twentieth Century and Beyond

H

Pre-Columbian and/or Ancient Civilizations

I

Twentieth Century and Beyond

J

Geographic Representations

K

Human-Environment Interactions

L

Diverse Perspectives

M

Cross-cutting Concepts
EDUC 420
Methods for Elementary Social Studies Instruction
HIST 102
World History since 1500
HIST 111
U.S. History to 1865
HIST 112
U.S. History since 1865
GEOG 103
Introduction to Human Geography (GE)
Total Content Covered: 61.54%
If a candidate takes the above courses, this is the topic coverage they would experience overall:
Download Recommendations

Continue Reading

Catalog Year: 2021-2022

Radford University

This tool provides individual preparation programs with a customized analysis of the courses required by the undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program and by the institution’s undergraduate general education courses to determine how well these requirements cover essential content in science. This tool also uses information about existing coursework on their campuses to provide guidance on a recommended course sequence.

This is a summary of the coverage of science content for undergraduate elementary candidates at your institution.

To determine if an elementary teacher preparation program provides adequate coverage¹ in the primary subject area of science through its own requirements or the institution’s requirements, we ask three sequential questions exploring:

  1. Evidence of any science coverage;
  2. Evidence of coverage of the three science themes; and 
  3. Evidence coursework encompasses the nine topics of science knowledge required of elementary teachers.

Radford University's Coverage

Coverage of Subject

Does the institution or teacher preparation program require elementary candidates complete any courses in science?

YES

The institution/program recommends or requires candidates to complete at least one course classified under the broad domain known as science.

NO

The institution/program does not require or recommend candidates to complete at least one course classified under the broad domain known as science.

Theme Coverage

Within science, there are five themes. Does the institution or teacher preparation program require or recommend courses to ensure each of the themes classified under science are covered?

YES

The coursework required or recommended for elementary candidates at this institution covers all five themes in science: 1. Life Science, 2. Physical Science, 3. Earth and Space Science, 4. Engineering, and 5. Pedagogy.

NO

The coursework required or recommended for of elementary candidates at this institution does not cover all five themes in science: 1. Life Science, 2. Physical Science, 3. Earth and Space Science, 4. Engineering, and 5. Pedagogy.

Topic Coverage

Within the five themes of science are nine topics common to teaching elementary students. Does this institution or preparation program require or recommend courses to ensure each of the nine topics classified under science are covered?

YES

Elementary education candidates at this institution must complete at least one course covering each of the nine topics.

NO

Elementary education candidates at this institution are not required to take courses covering each of the nine topics.

What are the nine topics of Science content?
References
  1. For these purposes, credit for “coverage” is awarded to the program whether the course is mandated through general education requirements for the institution at large or the specific requirements of the educator preparation program.

Continue Reading

See a detailed course analysis for your institution.

This tool illuminates: 

  1. What course options are available to satisfy general education or teacher preparation Requirement Categories;
  2. What courses are required or recommended, either through general education requirements or the teacher preparation program; and
  3. Whether courses cover the themes and topics of science content knowledge.

The aim of this tool is to provide an understanding of which courses are most likely to yield the most coverage possible of the content critical for elementary teachers. Because candidates can often choose from a list of courses to meet a Requirement Category, this table provides insight into which of those courses will be most relevant to elementary teaching.

How are Requirements Determined?

Analysts identify both the general education and program graduation requirements found in public-facing materials. 

By reviewing each Requirement Category and available course options, analysts identify courses addressing science and social studies content relevant to elementary teachers. The course analysis table indicates what themes and topics each course covers.

View the Course Catalog

Radford University's Content Coverage Analysis

Filter Course Options By Requirement Category

How we define these courses
Themes: Pedagogy Life Science Physical Science Earth & Space Sciences Engineering
Topics (hover to see name):

A

Cross-cutting Concepts

B

Scientific and Engineering Practices

C

Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems

D

Inheritance and Variation of Traits

E

Forces, Waves, and Energy

F

Structure and Properties of Matter

G

Space Systems

H

Earth's Systems and Processes

I

Engineering Design
Extensive List
Institution offers ten or more course options to fulfill requirement. Courses shown cover at least one applicable topic.
EDUC 415
Methods for Elementary Science Instruction
PHSC 350
Physical Science (GE)
BIOL 103
Environmental Biology (GE)
BIOL 131
Ecology and Adaptation (GE)
CHEM 111
General Chemistry I (GE)
CHEM 120
Chemistry of Life (GE)
CHEM 122
General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry for the Life Sciences (GE)
GEOL 105
Exploring Earth (GE)
PHYS 111
General Physics I
EDUC 420
Methods for Elementary Social Studies Instruction
HIST 101
World History to 1500
HIST 102
World History since 1500
HIST 111
U.S. History to 1865
HIST 112
U.S. History since 1865
GEOG 101
Europe and the Americas (World Geography) (GE)
GEOG 102
Africa and Asia (World Geography)
GEOG 103
Introduction to Human Geography (GE)
GEOG 140
Introduction to Environmental Studies (SS) (GE)
GEOG 201
North America * (SS) (GE)
GEOG 202
The Commonwealth of Virginia * (SS)
GEOG 203
Appalachian Geography * (SS)
GEOG 280
Regional Geography (SS) (WI) (GE)

Continue Reading

See the recommended course sequence for your institution.

Here NCTQ outlines (1) the set of courses providing candidates with the content most aligned with what elementary teachers need within current institution and program requirements, and (2) suggestions for courses to fill in gaps where candidates still lack coverage. 

"Most Aligned" Set of Courses

  1. Science Requirement 01

    EDUC 415 - Methods for Elementary Science Instruction

  2. Science Requirement 02

    PHSC 350 - Physical Science (GE)

  3. Science Requirement 03

    BIOL 131 - Ecology and Adaptation (GE)

How to Improve Content Coverage

Using the “Most Aligned” Set of Courses, current course requirements can address up to 66.67% coverage of science topics.

The topics still lacking coverage include:

  • Space Systems
  • Earth's Systems and Processes
  • Engineering Design

To improve content coverage, the institution or teacher preparation program may need to require additional courses for their candidates to achieve coverage across all topics. Our analysts identified the following courses to cover these topics:

  • Space Systems: No applicable courses found in NCTQ's analysis
  • Earth's Systems and Processes: GEOL 105
  • Engineering Design: No applicable courses found in NCTQ's analysis

Analysis of Content Covered by "Most Aligned" Set of Courses

= Course is Currently Recommended or Required by Program

Download Recommendations
Themes: Pedagogy Life Science Physical Science Earth & Space Sciences Engineering
Topics (hover to see name):

A

Cross-cutting Concepts

B

Scientific and Engineering Practices

C

Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems

D

Inheritance and Variation of Traits

E

Forces, Waves, and Energy

F

Structure and Properties of Matter

G

Space Systems

H

Earth's Systems and Processes

I

Engineering Design
EDUC 415
Methods for Elementary Science Instruction
PHSC 350
Physical Science (GE)
BIOL 131
Ecology and Adaptation (GE)
Total Content Covered: 66.67%
If a candidate takes the above courses, this is the topic coverage they would experience overall:
Download Recommendations

Continue Reading