Overview
Each practicum provides teacher candidates with supervised, carefully planned clinical experiences with exceptional student populations and students with diverse learning needs in a variety of settings. Students are required to demonstrate their ability to apply concepts, theories, and research. Specific clinical experiences have been planned by faculty and school-based partners to support candidates' efforts to master required skills. Each practicum and linked course incorporate assignments applied in the field. Additionally a seminar occurs within each practicum to help teacher candidates integrate course content as well as program goals and values with practice. An emphasis is placed on supporting teacher candidates’ professional development, reflection of their practice and the practice they observe, and completion of applied assignments.

Level 1
B.S. Special Education majors spend six hours per week (on full day) in a supervised in-school experience. Participants also attend a weekly discussion seminar with their University Supervisor on Wednesday afternoons from 3:30-5:20 pm.

Goals
The student will successfully demonstrate:

Course number/title/hours: EEX 4941, Practicum in ESE, 3 credit hours

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Level 2
B.S. Special Education majors spend twelve hours per week (two full school days, between Monday and Thursday) for the full semester in an elementary setting. It is expected that the student will observe the classroom teaching team and teach groups of students a range of subjects by the end of the experience. Students also implement a Behavior Change Project and an Individualized Education Project, both linked to courses taken during this semester. Participants attend weekly discussion seminars with their University Supervisor on Wednesdays from 3:30-5:20 pm.

Goals
The student will successfully demonstrate:

• Knowledge, skills, and dispositions outlined in Florida Accomplished Practices
• Knowledge of research based techniques and strategies for teaching
• Effective approaches for:
  • Guiding student behavior
  • Verbal and non-verbal communication
  • Lesson planning
  • Classroom management
  • Time management
  • Organizing instruction and learning environment
  • Presentation of subject matter
• Practice of reflective teaching
• Collaborative team work
• Understanding socio-economic and political context of the school

Course number/title/hours: EEX 4941, Practicum in ESE, 6 credit hours

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Level 3
B.S. Special Education majors spend twelve hours per week (two full school days, between Monday and Thursday) for the full semester in a secondary setting. It is expected that the student will observe the classroom teaching team and teach groups of students a range of subjects by the end of the experience. Students also plan lessons and assessments to meet the needs of the students in their placements and develop a comprehensive 9-week Unit Plan. These are projects linked to courses taken during this semester. Participants attend weekly discussion seminars with their University Supervisor on Wednesdays from 3:30-5:20 pm.

Goals
The student will successfully demonstrate:

• Knowledge, skills, and dispositions outlined in Florida Accomplished Practices
• Knowledge of research based techniques and strategies for teaching

• Understanding of role of the special educator through attendance at faculty meetings, IEP staffings, Child-Study Team meetings, and other activities

• Effective approaches for:
  • Guiding student behavior
  • Verbal and non-verbal communication
  • Lesson planning
  • Classroom management
  • Time management
  • Organizing instruction and learning environment
  • Presentation of subject matter
• Practice of reflective teaching
• Collaborative team work
• Understanding socio-economic and political context of the school

Course number/title/hours: EEX 4941, Practicum in ESE, 6 credit hours

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Level 4 - Final Internship
B.S. Special Education majors spend every full school day (Monday-Friday) for an entire semester in one elementary or secondary classroom.  The expectation is that the student is to teach with full responsibility for six weeks.  Participants attend weekly discussion seminars with their University Supervisor on Wednesdays from 3:30-5:20 pm.

Goals
The student will successfully demonstrate:

• A rational view of current professional practice in education
• A collegial relationship with members of the school staff, parents, and all persons
  interested in the education of students
• Skill in teaching by:
  • Understanding the behaviors of children
  • Managing student learning
  • Applying educationally sound principles of learning
• Extension and enhancement of instructional competencies by:
  • Developing goals and objectives
  • Applying instructional strategies
  • Selecting instructional materials
  • Organizing for instruction
  • Designing and implementing lesson plans
  • Reflecting on teaching
  • Collecting data to use for program improvement
• Skill in performing normal administrative duties including:
  • Maintenance of required records
  • Submission of required reports
• Compliance with all internship required elements, including:
• Final Internship Portfolio
• ESOL Binder
• Florida Teacher Certification Exams

Course number/title/hours: EEX 4940, Final Internship, 10-12 credit hours


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