To assist you in planning for these experiences, here is a summary of the expectations and requirements necessary for the approval of any practicum setting.
Practicum Hours: 90 total contact hours are required for each practicum in the LD emphasis area, including 90 hours in the instruction of students with disabilities in content-area instruction (during CEP 842) and 90 hours in the instruction of students with disabilities in literacy (during CEP 804A). The majority of these hours must entail direct instructional contact with students. Guidelines for each of the practicums provide more guidance about the activities that can be counted toward the requisite practicum hours. Policies for logging hours and submitting those logs are also provided in each practicum course. Depending on the endorsement sought, 180-240 total practicum contact hours are required. Some of these hours may come from experiences that are required as part of the ASD specific courses. The remaining hours are obtained when taking the practicum course (CEP 894J). A log of hours must be completed and submitted at the conclusion of the practicum.
Instructional Group that Includes Students with Disabilities: In the practicum setting, you must have access to an instructional group that includes students with disabilities who match the endorsement criteria (i.e., LD or ASD). Further, in the LD emphasis area, you must have a minimum number of contact hours per week (as specified by the course instructor) with the group in instructional activities designed to satisfy the applied requirements of the associated course (literacy, content-area instruction).
Onsite Supervisor: An onsite supervisor within the school district who has certification in the desired endorsement area must be identified, and the associated paperwork bearing the supervisor’s signature must be submitted in order for the supervisory arrangement to be reviewed and approved.
Appropriate Instructional Setting: Practicums must be completed in the settings in which the students in your endorsement area are typically educated by qualified personnel. Thus, most LD practicums and internships are completed in K-12 classrooms. ASD practicums and internships may be completed in K-12 settings or in center- or home-based programs, as long as these are directed by qualified personnel. Home-based tutoring or other activities conducted outside the auspices of a certified educational entity are not appropriate as internship or practicum settings.
Videotaping: Teaching videos are required as integral parts of the practicum and internship. You will analyze and reflect about your own teaching through the videos you create, and videos also will be reviewed by course instructors. In some cases, you will be asked to share your teaching videos with other students in your program.
