A Model for Building a Continuum for Special Education Teacher Preparation Programs; Beginning in Lower Division (Including Community Colleges) through Preliminary and Professional Credentials

Lower Division

(Including Community Colleges in Partnership with 4-Year IHE)

Candidates:

Work on breadth courses and pre-requisites:

For CSU link to: www.

For UC link to: www.

For Independent Institutions check specific web sites.

• 2 Education courses to explore the roles of teachers and to support a minimum of 30 field hours in a Special Ed placement.
• Take Health, History, and Institutions Courses.

Take CBEST

Upper Division

Candidates:

• Complete major requirements
• Integrate EDU foundation courses that connect subject matter to pedagogy.
• A mainstreaming course is suggested
• Organize coursework around CSET; Students take sections after preparation courses.
• Develop a Special Education Minor

CSET in core area or subject matter program for Single Subjects

Final Pre-BA Quarter

Candidates:

• Complete 2 courses for B.A.
• Student teach 3 days per week
• Have option for substitute teaching at same school. Same district cooperating teacher when possible. (School board and state approval may be necessary)

Subject Matter Verified

Internship Cred. (Teacher of Record)

• 3 quarters
• Intensive supervision from IHE
• Weekly cohort meeting
• Additional coursework related to K-12 classroom
• Integrated with

Option 2

Continue in Traditional 5th year Student Teaching Program to complete credential.

Preliminary Credential Awarded

Level II

Suggested Ideas:

• Give 25% non-IHE credit for BTSA, special ed support provider and use of Special Ed CFASST adaptation.
• Idea: Integrate with Master"s degree program.
• Integrate Intern Program with Level II

Ideas:

• Link community college and 4-year campus students to Blended Program by beginning a developmental electronic or paper portfolio.
• Offer Special Education credential information seminars on community college campuses as well as 4-year sites.
• Use "One Child At a Time" recruitment video in introductory courses.
• Require 6 semester units or less of Education Courses in Lower Division since 6 units is the maximum units Community College Students can transfer.
• Include a Psychology "Exceptional Children" Course and waive the upper division requirement
• Develop a way to track the Community College students interested in Special Education.