400

Candidates complete 50 hours of field experience practice in a special education setting. The guidelines for the field experience are found in the Field Experience Handbook. Candidates meet on campus with their University supervisor to discuss their work in the schools. The mentor teacher and University supervisor will conduct performance assessments of the pre-service teacher during this experience.

This course is intended for those candidates who need extended field experiences with the ongoing supervision by University personnel.  Length of field experiences will be determined by the Department and is subject to Department Chair approval.  Completion of this experience does not guarantee eligibility for student teaching.

This course examines the theories and practices appropriate for balanced reading and language arts instruction and assessment in grades 4-12. The emphasis of the course is on functional techniques for improving student reading performance in the upper grades and incorporating reading into subject matter instruction. Effective reading and writing instructional strategies and assessments, including those that address the specific needs of second language learners, are modeled and practiced.

This course is designed for candidates seeking Illinois Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS1) licensure with total involvement in the participating school system. Progress in developing teaching skills is observed carefully and supervised by the mentor teacher and University supervisor. Assignment is made at the elementary level for eight weeks and the middle/secondary level for eight weeks. Associated seminars focus on current issues in special education including vocational/transitional, adaptive equipment and professional and ethical considerations. This course meets the advanced writing requirement. Attendance at student teaching/clinical experience seminars is required.

This course is designed for candidates seeking special education and elementary education licensure with total involvement in the participating school system.  Progress in developing teaching skills is observed carefully and supervised by the mentor teachers and the University supervisor.  Assignment is made at the regular education elementary level for eight weeks (K-6) and at the special education middle school or secondary level for eight weeks (7-12).  This course meets the advanced writing requirement.  Attendance at student teaching/clinical experience seminars is required.

This course includes a study or project done under the direction of a member of the Department of Special Education.