Purpose
The purpose of the Essential Functions of the College of Education and Professional Development (COEPD) is to allow prospective candidates to become informed of the stringent demands related to training and employment within their field of study. Essential Functions and their related attributes are identified to allow prospective students the opportunity to make informed career choices by providing a summary of general physical abilities, personality traits, and other skills necessary for successful completion of a curriculum and employment within schools or other professional settings after graduation. To be successful within COEPD programs, prospective students must be able to acquire, maintain, and perform the Essential Functions defined within this document.
Guiding Statement
In compliance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), COEPD does not discriminate in admission policy based on disability. Realizing there are physical and emotional demands related to employment in schools, Essential Functions are outlined to allow students to become informed of the demands related to training and employment that are expected of all professionals working in schools or other professional settings. Demonstration of these functions is necessary to ensure the safety and psychological well-being of children, parents, and others in the community for whom you provide services. In addition to meeting academic standards, these Essential Functions are recognized for successful admission to, continuation in and graduation from COEPD programs at Marshall University. This document identifies the required Essential Functions and serves as a guideline for professional Functions. If a student is unable to acquire the Essential Functions with or without reasonable accommodations, the student may be dismissed from the program.
COEPD aligns the identified Essential Functions to Series 114 Approval of Educator Preparation Programs (5100) §126-114-6 Professional Educator Preparation Program Requirements which establishes that teachers have requirements that must be met in the areas of pre-professional skills, content specialization, and professional education.
COEPD Essential Functions
A candidate shall possess adequate pre-professional skills in the following four Essential Functions and their related attributes.
BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL ABILITY: A candidate shall possess adequate behavioral and social abilities by exemplifying the following attributes
| Attributes |
Example(s) – Not all inclusive |
| Professional Relationships |
- Establish mature empathetic and effective relationships by exhibiting compassion, integrity and concern for others.
- Welcome suggestions and constructive criticism.
|
| Respectfulness |
- Recognize and show respect for individuals and families with disabilities.
- Recognize and show respect for individuals of different ages, genders, gender identities, races, religions, sexual orientations and cultural socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Demonstrate compassion, honesty, integrity, fairness, responsibility, altruism, accountability, tolerance, concern, self-control, and respect for self and others.
|
| Physical and Mental Health |
- Ensure the health and safety of self, students, and others.
- Function favorably during times of stress and uncertainty.
- Tolerate emotionally and mentally taxing workloads.
- Function effectively under time constraints.
- Proactively make use of available resources to help maintain mental health.
|
| Adaptability |
- Display flexibility in ever-changing environments.
- Demonstrate the ability to be self-reflective.
|
| Ethics |
- Maintain student confidentiality in accordance with school policies and ethical guidelines.
- Demonstrate reliability, responsibility, dependability, and fulfillment of obligations.
- Demonstrate appropriate behavior at all times in both personal and professional life and use resources to support managing issues that may arise (i.e. substance abuse, sexual harassment, violent behavior, illegal activities, etc.).
|
COMMUNICATION ABILITY: A candidate shall possess adequate communication abilities by exemplifying the following attributes
| Attributes |
Example(s) – Not all inclusive |
| Speaking |
- Speak proficiently and professionally as part of course work and professional practice.
- Speak clearly using effective receptive and expressive communication skills in a public setting or group.
- Communicate using a clear and effective message adapted to the listener to reinforce and enhance the verbal message appropriate for culture and context.
- Respond to feedback efficiently as a means for improving the effectiveness of the communication interactions.
- Recognize and paraphrase accurately the central idea in an oral message.
- Ask for clarification of information in a non-threatening manner.
|
| Listening |
- Analyze and evaluate feedback efficiently as a means for improving the effectiveness of the communication interactions.
- Listen, without judgment, in order to understand a message accurately.
- Interpret the proper emotional content of a message.
|
| Writing |
- Write proficiently and professionally in English as part of course work and professional practice.
- Analyze, evaluate, and respond to feedback efficiently as a means for improving the effectiveness of the communication interactions.
- Recognize and paraphrase accurately the central idea in a written message.
|
| Reading |
- Comprehend professional literature/texts.
- Analyze student work for mastery of content standards.
|
| Non-Verbal |
- Use non-verbal elements to communicate a clear and effective message, adapted to the listener, to reinforce and enhance the verbal message appropriate for culture and context.
|
PHYSICAL ABILITY: A candidate shall possess adequate physical abilities by exemplifying the following attributes
| Attributes |
Example(s) – Not all inclusive |
| Visual/Hearing |
- Exhibit visual and hearing abilities necessary to respond to the student or individual needs and accommodations.
- Monitor behavior and individual needs.
|
| Mobility |
- Move in a timely manner without assistance.
- Stand or sit as needed for potentially long periods of time.
|
| Motor Skills |
- Exhibit adequate hand/eye coordination to use equipment as needed.
|
| Physical and Mental Health |
- Tolerate physically taxing workloads.
- Function effectively under time constraints.
- Make use of available resources to help maintain physical health.
- Focus on essential tasks.
|
PSYCHOLOGICAL ABILITY: A candidate shall possess adequate psychological abilities by exemplifying the following attributes
| Attributes |
Example(s) – Not all inclusive |
| Self-Awareness |
- Ability to reflect upon one’s own strengths and weaknesses and respond accordingly.
- Self-reflect and determine one’s own contribution to circumstances and responses rather than merely blaming another.
- Honestly evaluate one’s own emotional and psychological state so that adjustments and/or interventions can be implemented when necessary.
|
| Self-Control |
- Exhibit poise and other coping mechanisms while experiencing stressful situations.
- Demonstrate a demeanor conducive to stabilizing and mitigating difficult circumstances.
- Choose responses to stressors that promote well-being and appropriate interaction for self and others.
- Manage stressors through personal choices that do not interfere with one’s ability to complete job-related tasks.
- Manage one’s own behavior and interaction appropriately when faced with challenges.
- Assess and control emotions that may interfere with accomplishing tasks in the workplace.
|
| Resilience |
- Speak or write to show the internal processing of both everyday stressors and more extraordinary ones.
- Model good practices of self-care when dealing with stressful situations, whether personal or professional.
|
Approved by the COEPD Faculty Development Committee on February 13, 2020.
Submit an Essential Functions Evaluation
To be used only by Marshall University Faculty, Staff, and Field Supervisors
