Early Childhood Education Practicum Information:

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) licensure program is designed for completion of a bachelor's degree, inclusive of licensure, covering grades PreK through 3. The ECE licensure program consists of 6 quarters. Students' progress through the program in cohort groups and register for specific required classes and field practicum hours each quarter. The total registration of required ECE classes each quarter ranges from thirteen to sixteen credit hours. Students are required to complete all required general education and curriculum content courses before beginning Phase I.

Formal admittance into the College of Education and Human Services (CEHS) is required before beginning the 'Phase I' portion of this program (www.cehs.wright.edu/ss). Do not apply to begin your Phases if you have not yet had your CEHS admissions interview.

Requirements to begin Phase I of the ECE licensure program:

• Formal Admission into the major.
• Complete all general education (GE) courses with a C or better in the GE Sciences and GE College Component.
• Complete COM 103, EDT 280, MTH 143, SM 144 in the Content Curriculum with a C or better.
• Complete all other Content Curriculum courses with a C or better, with the exception of two (maximum).
• Maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher though out your undergraduate program.

CONTACT INFORMATION:There are several departments involved in the Early Childhood Education licensure program here at WSU. For overall program information please refer directly to the Early Childhood Education program's web page ... (www.cehs.wright.edu/departments/ted/earlychildhood/index.php). Licensure or academic issues should be referred to the licensure advisors located in the Office of Student Services, 378 Allyn Hall (775-2063). All practicum-related concerns should be directed to the Office of Professional Field Experiences, also located in 378 Allyn Hall (775-2107).

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM ADVISORS (assigned according to cohorts)...

- Dr. Colleen Finegan,

- Dr. Anna Lyon,

- Dr. Will Mosier,

- Sue Gruber.

Approval process to register for Phase I of the ECE licensure program:

• Submit the Early Childhood field practicum application. Please note that completion of this application does not guarantee your enrollment, preferred section, nor your registration clearance for the class(es).
• A Licensure Advisor will determine whether or not you have met all requirements to begin Phase I (see requirements listed above).
• After meeting these requirements and attaining approval to register, the registration approval for the Phase I - part 1 classes will be given so that you may register as usual.
• If you have difficulty with registration, please call the CEHS, Office of Student Services at 775-3088.
• If you do not qualify for registration, a Licensure Advisor will notify you by phone or email. Advisors will assist you in the planning of your classes so that you can possibly begin Phase I the following quarter.

Please note that no college credit is granted for previous outside practicum classroom-type experiences. Practicum transferred in from other universities may be considered - meet with your Student Services Licensure Advisor for this determination (378 Allyn Hall).

You must complete the Early Childhood practicum application for Phase I part 1 and again for Phase II part 1 field practicum assignments by the appropriate term's deadline. Be sure to notify our office directly if your residence should change throughout the course of your program so that your practicum site may be arranged as conveniently as possible for you. ONLINE APPLICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED TWICE THROUGHOUT YOUR ECE PROGRAM:

• PHASE I, Part 1, &
• PHASE II, Part 1.

If after you have completed an application for practicum assignment and you decide that you no longer need a field placement site for that term, or you choose to drop from the program, you must inform the Office of Professional Field Experiences in writing of your change in plans (send an email to: "wsucollofcehs.wright.edu").

APPLICATION DEADLINES ARE POSTED ON THE HOME PAGE OF THIS WEB SITE. The online application is accessed through TK20 . Look for an email from our office to verify receipt of your application - at least 1 week after submitting. Check your WSU email regularly.

Early Childhood licensure field practicum courses consist of:

Phase I - Part 1 = EDE 221: PreK focus, attending 2 half days per week.

Phase I - Part 2 = EDE 223: Kindergarten focus, attending 2 full days per week.

Phase I - Part 3 = EDE 225: 1st, 2nd or 3rd grade focus, attending 2 full days per week.

Phase II - Part 1 = EDE 321: 1st, 2nd or 3rd grade focus(not previously experienced), attending 2 full days per week.

Phase II - Part 2 = EDE 323: (Ideally the same classroom setting as EDE 321), attending 3 full days per week.

Phase III - Student Teaching = EDE 419: (Ideally the same classroom setting as EDE 323), attending all day, every day.

FINGERPRINTING INFORMATION:

The Office of Professional Field Experiences requires that all individuals who are participating in field experiences have current background checks - local through BCII (Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation) and FBI, on file prior to attending any field practicum assignment locations. BCII results remain current for only twelve months. It is your responsibility to make sure that your background check results stay updated.

• You should complete the fingerprint process 6 weeks prior to your Phase I - part 1 field experience. You should again complete the fingerprint process 6 weeks prior to your Phase II or 3-term internship assignment.
• If you have had a background check for your employment at a childcare facility, etc., this result is acceptable, but be prepared to provide a copy of this result to the Office of Professional Field Experiences. Your background check must be current when you apply for your teaching license after Student Teaching. Because of this, it is very important that you be cognizant of the expiration date of your background check.
• Visit the Educational Resource Center (ERC) located in 112 Allyn Hall, and inquire about their electronic fingerprinting process. The ERC results are assured to reach OPFE AND the Ohio Department of Education. You are encouraged to request a copy for your own records as well.

PRACTICUM ASSIGNMENTS: Your practicum site is arranged according to the information and address provided on your on-line application according to your planned registration for that term. If you have an unresolved issue with the Registrar's office, Bursar's office, Financial Aid, or any other office that is preventing you from registering - please notify our office; we are willing to work with you on this. We will attempt to avoid securing placements where you have family, relatives, or close friends teaching or attending.

Q. What if a teacher has invited me back to their classroom for Student Teaching, or requests that I be permitted to stay?

A. Requests are only taken into consideration if made well in advance and in writing (signed by the building Principal and Cooperating Teacher), along with a specific circumstance request form completed by you - the WSU Teacher Candidate. If your program is part of a cohort group, your entire internship year may be arranged as you begin the program. If the Cooperating Teacher of your initial practicum assignment is interested in you staying for the entire timeframe (including student teaching), this same process would apply (letter from the building Principal and Cooperating Teacher, and specific circumstance request form completed by the WSU Teacher Candidate). These requests must be received no later than 5th week of the term immediately preceding the effected term's practicum assignment.

Arranged practicum assignment information will be posted on TK20 - though you must be registered and your registration uploaded to TK20 in order for this to happen. It is your responsibility to make contact with your assigned Cooperating Teacher before the start of the term to arrange your classroom observation schedule. CALL THE SCHOOL IMMEDIATELY! NEVER WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE! Under no circumstances should you "just show up" without calling your assigned teacher first. Our office has no control over when assignments will be confirmed; this depends on when we hear from our districts or school sites. Placements may come in early, but do not expect them until at least the week before the term starts.

Paperwork and forms that pertain to documenting your practicum experience will also be available to you via TK20.  Please download any necessary paperwork and forms and deliver items accordingly to your assigned Cooperating Teacher.

ATTENDANCE: You must be available to attend your practicum during your teachers' contractual arrival and departure time in the school to which you are assigned, on the days identified on your course schedule (contracted arrival and departure times according to their contract). The 'Teacher Candidate Emergency Contact form', available in your electronic Field Experience Binder on TK20, must be distributed accordingly by the first week of each term in which you are doing a field placement.

Use final's week to make up missed classroom time. Assignment dates WILL change as you attend your 3-term Phase II/Student Teaching internship assignment.

If something would arise that would keep you from your scheduled observations (ie. illness) you must make the following three calls to notify of your absence...

1. Contact your Cooperating Teacher - do this as early as possible.
2. Your assigned University Supervisor (contact information is posted on this web site with your Phase I assignment information).
3. The Office of Professional Field Experiences (775-2107) - leave a message on our voice mail if during off hours.

Always call your school/Cooperating Teacher if you must miss any part of your scheduled day or if you will be tardy. Advance notice the day prior is, by far, the most appropriate notification of anticipated absence.

PAPERWORK / GRADES: As you complete your practicum experiences, be sure that monthly attendance calendars are saved correctly within the artifact on TK20, AND attached to the appropriate electronic Field Experience Binder (on Tk20). Calendars should be completed by the first week of the month for the previous month's attendance and your Cooperating Teacher should electronically verify your attendance (via their specific Tk20 log-on). An End of Term Assessment will also help to verify your grade for this practicum experience - saved on TK20 by your Supervisor, after discussion of the criteria with you and your Cooperating Teacher.

As you progress through Phase II, formal lesson assessments by your Cooperating Teacher and University Supervisor will be required. You will need to schedule with both your Cooperating Teacher and Supervisor formal observations of separate lessons (planned and taught by you) - documentation of these lesson assessments are required to be saved on Tk20 (by your Cooperating Teacher and Supervisor).

CONCERN CONFERENCE/EDUCATIONAL PLAN:

A Concern Conference (EDUCATIONAL PLAN) is a meeting scheduled to discuss specific concerns during your program in an effort to develop objectives that will help to facilitate resolution of these issues. During any portion of your program, you (the Teacher Candidate) have the right to request a Concern Conference be held. We suggest that you document your concerns in writing prior to the conference taking place. Also, if there appears to be a concern with adhering to protocol, or an issue with your performance in your assigned field practicum the Office of Professional Field Experiences has the right to call for the scheduling of a Concern Conference in an effort to resolve these issues to facilitate successful completion of your program. If students fail to meet or resolve any stated objectives, this can result in not being approved for Student Teaching or Graduation.

REMEMBER ...

• Check your WSU e-mail account often for frequent communication regarding the ECE program that may be sent to you by the Early Childhood Program Advisor or the Office of Professional Field Experiences.
• Completion of the Phase I application will generate a review of your status and clear you to register if you qualify, and also notifies the Office of Professional Field Experiences to locate a site for your field practicum.
• You must register for ALL education classes under the same section (if more than one section are offered).
• The following courses MUST be completed before the beginning of Phase II 2nd Quarter: MTH 244, PHY 245, BIO 345, and GL 345. There are NO approved substitutions for the courses listed above.
• When registering for your content courses, you must contact that specific department (Physics, Geology, Biology, etc.) for departmental approval before they will provide approval for you to register.
• Download the Early Childhood practicum paperwork and information from tk20.wright.edu for each practicum registration and assignment.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION - PHASE I

A Phase I orientation information session will be scheduled. All Phase I students are required to attend this orientation PRIOR to beginning this practicum experience. Look for an email for notification of the sessions being offered, as well as the home page of this web site.

EDE 221 (Phase I - Part 1)

Your placement in Phase I, part 1, will attempt to be secured in a PreK setting. You are required to observe 2 half days per week (approximately 7 hours per week) for 10 weeks.

Among other sites, Wright State works with Mini University Inc. Students who are placed at these sites are required to complete additional paperwork which can be picked up at the Office of Professional Field Experiences (OPFE) in 378 Allyn Hall. OPFE will attempt to have this information available to you with the Phase I orientation handout information. Additionally, the students must review the Mini University Inc. Employee Handbook which can be accessed below. IF YOUR POSTED PLACEMENT INDICATES ANY OF THE THREE MINI UNIVERSITY SITES, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO START YOUR PLACEMENT UNTIL THE ABOVE STATED REQUIREMENTS ARE MET.

EDE 223 (Phase I - Part 2)

Phase I, part 2, will attempt to be secured in a Kindergarten setting. You are required to observe 2 full days per week according to your class schedule.

EDE 225 (Phase I - Part 3)

In phase I, part 3, you'll be placed in a 1st, 2nd or 3rd Primary grade. You are required to observe 2 full days per week according to your class schedule.

Please read further ECE program information on this page so as to adequately prepare for your upcoming Phase II and Student Teaching internship requirements.

ECE PHASE II & PHASE III / STUDENT TEACHING INFORMATION, 3-term Internship

Be aware that WSU students / Teacher Candidates who are unsuccessful in their first attempt at Student Teaching are offered a second attempt if the Teacher Candidate chooses. If after the second attempt the Teacher Candidate continues to be unsuccessful in Student Teaching, the Teacher Candidate will be recommended to pursue graduation without licensure.

In preparation of securing your 3-term internship practicum assignment, you need Email or bring into the Office of Professional Field Experiences, :

• a one-page resume and
• a one-page auto-biographical sketch.

Email is preferred. Feel free to use the email address link on this web site. Resumes should be professional. Always include an objective statement, one that reflects a career in education. Include both educational information as well as information on previous employers. Also include the school sites you have observed and/or participated in throughout your program here at WSU. Remember to list experiences in descending chronological order (most recent first).

Your auto-biographical sketch should include such things as family background, hobbies, talents or skills which may be an asset in student teaching, extracurricular activities in high school and/or college, travel, reasons for choosing teaching as a profession, experiences with children, etc. Samples of resumes and auto-biographical sketches are available in the Educational Resource Center, first floor of Allyn Hall, on reserve under Dr. Donna Cole.

Both the resume and auto-biographical sketch should be consistent in format, free of errors, informative and concise. This information will be sent directly to the school district. Remember that these will be read by superintendents, principals and co-operating teachers who will notice any mistakes in grammar, spelling, content and punctuation. Please check them over carefully before you turn them in. These are part of your Student Teaching/Phase III application and your assignment cannot be made without them. Be sure to provide these in conjunction with filling out your Phase II ED 321 application.

** If we have not received your resume and biographical sketch, we will assume you are not going to complete this practicum assignment.

You do NOT get to choose the location of your practicum for Phase II/III (Student Teaching), but feel free to relay grade preference, location interest, etc, on the on-line application. Students are NOT to make their own arrangements. The Office of Professional Field Experiences will send out requests to school sites for confirmation of all practicum assignments. We will attempt to avoid securing placements where you have family, relatives, or close friends teaching or attending.

Q. What if a teacher has invited me back to their classroom for Student Teaching, or requests that I be permitted to stay?

A. Requests are only taken into consideration if made well in advance and in writing (signed by the building Principal and Cooperating Teacher), along with a specific circumstance request form completed by you - the WSU Teacher Candidate. If your program is part of a cohort group, your entire internship year may be arranged as you begin the program. If the Cooperating Teacher of your initial practicum assignment is interested in you staying for the entire timeframe (including student teaching), this same process would apply (letter from the building Principal and Cooperating Teacher, and specific circumstance request form completed by the WSU Teacher Candidate). These requests must be received no later than 5th week of the term immediately preceding the effected term's practicum assignment.

When a school district has verified your placement, your student teaching assignment will be posted on Course Studio. Upon retrieving your practicum assignment, you are to contact your assigned Cooperating Teacher (and/or building principal) before the start of the term to arrange your classroom observation schedule. CALL THE SCHOOL IMMEDIATELY! NEVER WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE. Under no circumstances should you "just show up" without calling your assigned teacher first. Our office has no control over when placements will come in; this depends totally on when we hear from our districts or school sites.

There is a mandatory Phase II /Student Teaching Orientation planned each quarter for those entering the first part of Phase II. Attendance at this Phase II /Student Teaching Orientation is required. You must provide written documentation if an emergency arises preventing you from attending this meeting. You must notify our office in writing if there is a change in your field placement plans.

Items addressed at the orientation:

• Requirements for Student Teaching.
• Fingerprinting.
• Graduation - apply to graduate at the Registrar's office; be aware of deadline dates.
• PRAXIS II tests - ECE content AND Principals of Learning & Teaching (PLT).
• Student Teaching - actual dates / timeframe.
• Registration
• EDE 440 and Seminar
• Expectations

Professional Preparation / Beginning the School Year practicum requirement takes place prior to fall quarter of your 3-term internship assignment. This may be during Phase II or Phase III/Student Teaching. This provides the ECE teacher candidate the opportunity to experience and participate with the Cooperating Teacher in the planning and preparation of the new school year. This practicum experience occurs prior to your teacher's first contractual day.

ATTENDANCE: You must be available to attend your practicum during the specific contracted time of the teachers in the school to which you are assigned on the days identified per your practicum registration(contracted arrival and departure times).

Fall Quarter of your 3-term internship requires you to attend all day, every day beginning with your assigned district's teachers' first day of school up until the start of WSU's fall term. You will then resume attendance according to your fall quarter registration. If fall quarter is part of your Phase II, you must remain in your assigned classroom after WSU's fall quarter - up to your assigned district's holiday break; this all day, every day attendance will be applied to the State Department's new requirement for Student Teaching. You will need to begin lead teaching in the subject areas that you've completed methods courses for.

Phase II, part 1 (EDE 321), basic practicum guideline is that your classroom assignment take place in a Primary grade; you are required to observe 2 full days per week during the 10 weeks of WSU's term. We anticipate this same classroom assignment for the remainder of your program.

Phase II, part 2 (EDE 323), you are required to observe 3 full days per week during the 10 weeks of WSU's term.

Your Phase III/Student Teaching registration approval will be contingent upon you meeting Student Teaching approval criteria. 

Phase III / Student Teaching (EDE 419), attendance is required all day, every day.

Effective fall term 2008 the Ohio Department of Education is enforcing new requirements for in that a minimum of 12 weeks of documented Student Teaching must occur. This will have a major impact on Student Teaching during winter and spring terms, attending assignments for 3 weeks in December. Anticipated time frames for student teaching are as follows...

- fall 2008: Starts with your assigned district's teachers' first day of school (approximately August 18th, 2008 - possibly sooner), through Friday, November 21, 2008. End date may need to be extended depending on your assigned district's first day of school.

- winter 2009: Starts December 1, 2008 through Friday, March 20, 2009.

- spring 2009: Starts with a pre-student teaching experience December 1 through December 19, 2008 (lead teaching in the subject areas that you've completed method courses for), and will resume March 23, 2009 and end with your assigned district's teachers' last day of school (approximately Friday, June 6, 2009). Specific details of attendance requirements will be addressed at your orientation.

GRADES:

All paperwork documenting your practicum experience(s) must be submitted to the Office of Professional Field Experiences or saved on TK20 before a passing grade can be given. This includes your attendance calendars saved correctly within the artifact on TK20, AND attached to the appropriate electronic Field Experience Binder (on Tk20). Calendars should be completed by the first week of the month for the previous month's attendance and your Cooperating Teacher should electronically verify your attendance (via their specific Tk20 log-on). Assessments from your Cooperating Teacher and University Supervisor are also required for your grade (end of term assessments, lesson assessments, practicum assessments, mid term and final assessments). If we do not receive any practicum documentation on TK20 by the Friday of final's week, you will receive a grade of Incomplete or Unsatisfactory, which may require you to repeat the experience. If we receive partial documentation by the Friday of final's week, you will receive an indication of "grade in progress" (M). This grade will need to be cleared up prior to your Student Teaching.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the office staff. We want to make your field experiences as positive and productive as possible.