3

The Option 6 teaching experience is designed exclusively for the MASPE candidate who currently (a) is employed in a regular (non-substitute), full-time position as a Special Education Teacher of record in a public school and (b) has a P-12 class or caseload of students who have IEPs for EBD and/or LD. It is the culminating experience for MASPE’s alternative teacher certification (Option 6) program. The MASPE Practicum Teacher is supported, observed, and evaluated by a Mentor Teacher, who is full-time Special Education Teacher. The Mentor Teacher holds a Master degree in Special Education or related field and has had at least three years teaching experience as a Teacher certified in Exceptional Education. During the course of the semester, the Supervised Teacher completes several assignments that verify his or her knowledge, skills, professional dispositions, and cultural competence, at a Master level. The MASPE Practicum Teacher remains employed, in his or her current teaching position, during the practicum.

6

The full-time student teaching experience is designed for the MASPE candidate who does not have at least three years of experience as a professional educator, in a P-12 school. It is at least 70 days of full-time teaching, balanced between two school placements (elementary school, middle school, high school), with students who have IEPs for EBD and/or LD. The MASPE Student Teacher is directly supervised by a Cooperating Teacher, who is a full-time Special Education Teacher. The Cooperating Teacher holds a Master degree in Special Education or related field and has had at least three years teaching experience as a Teacher certified in Exceptional Education. The MASPE Student Teacher also is supported, observed, and evaluated by a University Supervisor. During the course of the semester, the MASPE Student Teacher completes several assignments that verify his or her knowledge, skills, professional dispositions, and cultural competence, at a Master level. The MASPE Student Teacher may not be employed during the school day, at a school or elsewhere, for the duration of student teaching.