Education Specialist Credential in Mild/Moderate Disabilities
On-the-Job Student Teaching
On-the-Job student teachers complete their student teaching experience while teaching in their own classrooms.
Student Teaching Requirements
On-the-Job student teaching lasts a minimum of 15 weeks and takes place during one semester. Interns receive assistance and guidance from a credentialed, experienced teacher at their work site, as well as a university supervisor. The Supporting Teacher will give them feedback to help support their development during the semester experience.
Preparatory Coursework
On-the-Job student teachers have completed all of the their SPED coursework prior to student teaching. (One course may be completed during the student teaching experience.) They are expected to have a solid understanding of all the basic skills and competencies of the special education professional before beginning student teaching.
Assessment of Student Teacher
Observation Requirements
On-the-Job student teachers will be observed a minimum of 5 times during the semester by their University Supervisor, and 6 times by their Supporting Teacher. The observer will fill out an Education Specialist Feedback Form, and discuss it with the student teacher before distributing the copies as indicated on the form. Informal observations and feedback should be conducted throughout both semesters as appropriate.
Expected Competencies
- By the end of the student teaching experience, on-the-job student teachers are expected to have attained competency in all 6 domains of the California Standards for the Teaching Profession. They should be able to plan and implement all of the instructional, assessment and management responsibilities inherent in their job with proficiency.
Evaluations
On-the-Job student teachers will be evaluated twice during the semester, by their University Supervisor.
- The Supporting Teacher is not required to complete formal evaluations for on-the-job candidates.
- On the final evaluation completed by their university supervisor, student teachers must receive an average score of 3, with no scores of 1 on any competency.
Inclusive Experiences
On-the-Job student teachers must participate in at least 25 hours of observation/participation in an inclusive classroom during their student teaching experience.
Other Expectations
On-the-Job student teachers are expected to demonstrate competency in assessment of students with disabilities, writing of IEPs, IEP meetings, SST meetings, and other responsibilities of the special educator during their student teaching experience.