Special Education Student

Clinical Experience

Candidates are required to complete a clinical experience at the end of their endorsement program.  Candidates must file an application for student teaching or a practicum with the Office of Clinical Experiences.  Applications must be filed electronically during the month of November for the following Fall Semester and during the month of March for the following Winter Semester.  Questions related to student teaching or practicum experience can be directed to the Office of Clinical Experiences at (989) 964-7109.  (See the information sheet for applying.)

Please note:  Students who are currently teaching full time in a special education classroom may be eligible to do their student teaching or practicum experience in their own classroom if they meet certain requirements (i.e., must have four students on your caseload whose educational label matches the endorsement that you are seeking, must have the support of your district which is indicated in the letter you provide, must have a mentor who is endorsed in the area you are seeking endorsement.)

 

Four types (levels) of Special Education Student Teachers

Level 1. TE 460 Traditional (undergraduate - no teaching certificate; prerequisite TE 420 or TEMS 422, 14 weeks) 12 weeks

Level 2. TE 460 Certified teacher, student teaching in someone else's classroom (seeking 1st endorsement) 12 weeks

Level 3. TE 460 Student teaching in own classroom  (seeking 1st endorsement) 12 weeks

Level 4. TE 660 Practicum - usually in own classroom (seeking additional endorsement) 8 weeks

 

Focus Project

Focus projects are to be completed by students in levels 3 and 4.

For M.A.T. students, the project proposal developed in TE 620 (or TE 506) is to be submitted to the TE 620 instructor for initial project approval, then presented to the clinical experience supervisor for secondary approval at the time the field experience begins.

A completed application must be in the Clinical Experience Office.

Once assigned a placement, the student is to discuss their project with their supervisor to determine the grading criteria. For example, the project must be professional (typed, proofread for spelling and grammar), and sources must be properly cited. The project must have a cover page with the student's name, project title, and date. The following factors will also be considered when grading projects: organization, clarity of presentation, completeness, attention to detail, uniqueness, creativity, depth, and use of "gender and disability correct" language.

If a student does not have a project proposal for any reason, they are to complete a Curriculum Research Project (see below for project criteria).

 

Lesson Plans

Lesson plans are to completed by SVSU students in levels 1-4.

Lesson plans are to be made available for supervisors when observing (supervisors may require a specific format be used)

If determined necessary by the supervisor, students will need to revise lesson plans.

 


Caseload Profile

Caseload Profiles are to be completed by SVSU students in levels 1 and 2.

Provide a brief description of the youth who have special needs who are on the SVSU student's case load. Include information such as: birth date, chronological age, gender, brief description of the youth (e.g., behavioral and educational characteristics - reading, math, writing). Include information addressing the youth's educational environment, such as the youth's daily school schedule, and a brief description of special services the youth currently receives and the titles of the professionals who provide those services, as well as any other educational history that is relevant. Also, note the youth's learning style. Much of this information can be provided in the IEP or school file.

For each youth, list when and what type of accommodation and/or adaptation was used. In addition, document the effectiveness of the accommodations and/or adaptations utilized. Plan that this list will be shared with educators, parents/guardians, and with the youths themselves.

 

Journal

Journals are to be completed by SVSU students in levels 1 and 2.

Students are to use minimum competencies as a guide in order to document how these competencies are being put into practice in the classrooms they are in - if the competencies are not met, students are to address how they would do this in their own classroom. Journal entries are to be submitted to the supervisor on a regular basis, at least 1 time a week. The schedule should be arranged between student and supervisor.

 

Other Information

All student teachers (levels 1-3) receive a pass/fail grade (overall score of 70% or better is considered passing).

Practicum students earn letter grades (criteria for each assignment, except the focus project, is to be determined by supervisor and student).

Grading Scale Guidelines

 A  = 93% - 100%  C+ = 77% - 79%
 A- =  90% - 92%  C  = 70% - 76%
 B+ = 87% - 89%  D  = 66% - 69%
 B  = 83% - 86%  E  =  Below 66%
 B- = 80% - 82%  

*By submitting the application, you give the Office of Clinical Experiences permission to duplicate this form and share the information with the cooperating school district.

SVSU Regional Education Center
7400 Bay Road
University Center, MI 48710		 Phone: 989.964.4057
Fax: 989.964.4385