Integrated Language Arts/English Education Concentration

Program Description

Students who wish to teach English or integrated language arts for grades 7-12 in Ohio public schools should pursue the B.A. in English: Integrated Language Arts Education with licensure pathway. Prior to September 15 of the junior year, students must be admitted to the licensure program in the College of Education and Human Services. Students completing the B.A. in English: Integrated Language Arts (ILA) with licensure pathway and state licensure requirements are eligible to seek licensure from the Ohio Department of Education for Adolescece/Young Adult: Integrated Language Arts (AYA:ILA).

Admission Requirements

For admission to the major in English: Integrated Language Arts, students must achieve an overall GPA of 2.7 or above after completion of 30 credit hours.

OR

For students applying direct from high school, students must achieve a 3.25 minimum cumulative high school GPA, and score of 22 ACT or 1030 SAT.

Note:  Again, students who seek AYA:ILA licensure in the state of Ohio should apply for admission to the licensure program in the College of Education and Human Services prior to September 15 of their junior year.  Once admitted to the licensure program, students may take 4000-level education courses required for licensure.  While students may earn a B.A. in English: Integrated Language Arts without completing the licensure pathway during their senior year, they will not be licensed to teach. 

Registration for ILA Courses

To register for ILA courses (ENG 3520, 3530, 3560, 3570, or 4560), you must officially be an ILA major.

Maintaining Academic Standing in ILA

To continue in the ILA program, you must maintain a 2.7 GPA throughout your undergraduate program. You also must maintain a C or better in all English and Education classes in order to be admitted into the licensure program. Please note you must have at least a 2.75 GPA for admission into the licensure program.

If you fall below these requirements, a block will be placed on your ability to register for courses. You will need to see your ILA advisor to discuss this block.

Registering for the Pearson Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) English Language Arts Test

To be a licensed ILA teacher in Ohio, you must pass the Pearson OAE content exam for English language arts. You must pass the OAE ELA content exam (score of 220) before you can student teach full-time (typically spring of the senior year). Consider taking the test with time to re-take it in case there are issues.  Pearson requires a 30-day waiting period before re-taking an exam (e.g., spring or summer prior to the licensure year).  Be sure to designate Wright State as a recipient of your scores, and allow time for official scores and sub-scores to be received by WSU. The ELA content test should be #020, but please check that Pearson has not changed the test number.

To register for the OAE, visit the Ohio Assessments for Educators website.

Professional Organizations

There are several professional organizations we encourage ILA students to consider joining:

• WSU-NCTE is our university chapter of the National Council of Teachers of English and is open to all students interested in teaching English at any level, elementary through college. The organization provides support for students studying to take the Pearson OAE English Language Arts test, conducts fundraisers for the Language Arts Fair and conference attendance, supports local teachers with resources and classroom texts, and offers information on the licensure application, program, and careers in education. To learn more, or to inquire about becoming an officer, please contact Dr. Angela Beumer Johnson at angela.johnson@wright.edu.
• Ohio Council of Teachers of English (OCTELA) is the Ohio affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English that supports classroom teachers with resources, censorship issues, and serves as a liaison between Ohio educators and the Ohio Department of Education and legislators. OCTELA publishes Ohio Journal of English Language Arts (OJELA), a nationally recognized journal for ELA researchers and educators at all levels. They also have an annual conference in Columbus, Ohio, a great place to meet authors, regional teachers, administrators, and view presentations by area teachers and researchers. The conference cost for reduced for students, and membership and a subscription to OJELA are included in the conference fees. Visit the OCTELA website for more information.
• National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) is a national organization for English teachers at all levels. NCTE publishes several journals for language arts teachers and researchers. They hold an annual conference (the week before Thanksgiving) that is widely attended and offers presentations about innovative ILA pedagogy and research. Visit the NCTE website for more information and student rates for membership and conferences.
• Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of  NCTE (ALAN) is an affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English. ALAN specifically focuses on advocacy, research, and teaching of young adult literature. They publish The ALAN Review, which is an excellent journal for teachers and candidates who wish to incorporate young adult literature in their classrooms. The ALAN Workshop is held immediately after the annual NCTE convention, the Monday-Tuesday of Thanksgiving week. At the workshop, you will hear the best of both established and new authors in YA literature, learn what is new in the field, and go home with a hefty (approximately 35 pounds) box of new books signed by the authors. Workshop attendance includes a year’s membership, including The ALAN Review. Visit the ALAN website for more information.

We strongly encourage ILA candidates to take advantage of professional memberships during their time as students in our program. Student rates are significantly reduced, and these memberships often lead to incredible professional development, employment, and networking opportunities within and outside of the Ohio area. Teachers who enjoy nurturing their own passion are teachers who stay energized. 

Program Learning Outcomes:

Students will be:

• Familiar with theory and pedagogy in Adolescence/Young Adult Integrated Language Arts
• Able to develop an approach to language arts teaching informed by their  understandings of literature and language and their understandings of the AYA:ILA content area standards
• Prepared through coursework for the initial stages of licensure in the AYA:ILA content area