Student teaching/practicum
It is a good idea to visit some of the various public school program sites over the course of your studies at the University of Minnesota. This is important when you are requesting a practicum placement, when you are requesting student teaching placement, or when you begin your job search.
Special Education Student Teaching Eligibility: Successful demonstration of competencies as specified in state and national standards is essential for effective teaching. As such, the Special Education teacher licensure programs are designed on a competency-based model. To assist in determination that students/teacher candidates have sufficient knowledge and skills for student teaching, students/ teacher candidates must meet minimum performance standards in licensure coursework. A student/teacher candidate must (a) attain a B (3.0) average across all licensure coursework completed prior to the semester of student teaching and (b) attain a minimum grade of B- in each of these individual courses.
Student teaching (EPSY 5752)
- placements and supervision by Kathy Seifert
- Student teaching application materials are due October 16
for Spring semester and March 12 for Summer and Fall semester
placements
Online Application for Student Teaching Placement (The application opens one month prior to above dates)
Resume (Please email to Alicia Vegell).
Student Teaching Autobiography [.doc] (Please email to Alicia Vegell). - on-the-job student teaching: Currently on-the-job student teaching placements are not available for the learning disabilities program.
Practicum for students not currently classroom licensed (EPSY 5701)
- part of the Teaching License Exemption requirements
- register for 2 semester credits or 1 credit for each of 2 semesters
- minimum 120 contact hours = 2 semester credits
- placements and supervision by Mary Beth Kelley
- may be waived based on evidence verifying field based experiences
- waiver can be issued by the student’s academic adviser
Practicum models
Resource room program model
In the resource room model, special education students are enrolled
in a regular education classroom. However, they also spend a portion
of their day in a special classroom managed by a licensed special
education teacher. This setting provides an opportunity for direct
instruction focusing on special skills that can not be taught in the
regular classroom. Although basic instruction is guided by the
regular education teacher, the special skills taught by the teacher
of special education students complement and assist the students’
ability to participate effectively in the regular class. The special
education teacher also provides supportive assistance to the regular
classroom teacher addressing attitude, understanding individual
student needs, determining curriculum modifications and choosing
accommodations to enable greater student participation in class
activities.
Self-contained program model
In the class for special education learners, students are enrolled
in a small, self-contained classroom for more than half of the
school day, instructed by a teacher of special education students.
These students require an intensive academic program and/or unique
skills training. Their needs are such that major curriculum
modification and mode of instruction are unique, precluding regular
classroom placement. Whenever feasible, students should be provided
the opportunity to participate in a regular program, either in
school or in the community.
Note: It is a good idea to visit some of the various program sites over the course of your studies at the University of Minnesota. Schools tend to be very different, and you may prefer one model over another. This is important to know when you begin your job search, or when you are requesting a practicum placement.
See also
Clinical Experience Handbook (student teaching)