Practica--

You will complete four practica:  SPED 220, 316, 323, & 327.  (See Field Services Manual for specific requirements for SPED 220 and 327.  You will be given a copy of this manual when you begin your practicum.)  You will be evaluated by your cooperating teacher and your college supervisor.  (Evaluation forms are in the Field Services Manual.)  Copies of these evaluations should be requested to be placed into your portfolio.  You also will be asked to evaluate your practicum site.

Field experiences include working with elementary, middle, and secondary students who have learning disabilities, emotional disturbance, or mild to moderate mental retardation.  You are required to request different levels and areas for each field experience.   A possible example might be SPED 220: Elementary level LD classroom and SPED 327: Secondary level MR classroom.   For licensure, you must have experience in elementary, middle, and high school, as well as with students having LD, ED, and MR, across your practica and student teaching settings.

Practica are offered during the Fall and Spring semesters, as well as during the first Summer session. 

Students are encouraged to complete SPED 327 in the first summer session.  During the Fall and Spring semesters, practicum sites will be within the counties surrounding Longwood. During the first summer term, you may select three choices for practicum location from those provided by the Office of Professional Services.  (Note:  The Office of Professional Services attempts to place students near their home; however, you may not receive your first choice.)

Deadlines for registering for practica and student teaching are posted around Hull Building by the Office of Professional Services.   

Applications for the first Summer Session Practica are available from the Office of Professional Services.   

Students register for the Summer Practicum when they register for Summer school. Students completing the Summer Practicum are required to attend a meeting held by the Director of Professional Services.  Students should look for posted signs and for announcements in the Campus Bulletin for meeting dates and deadlines.

Students completing SPED 327, Practicum II, during the Fall or Spring semester must obtain prior approval from the Office of Professional Services to register.

Student Teaching--

You will be responsible for completing an application for student teaching approximately one calendar year prior to the anticipated date of your professional semester (applications are available from the Office of Professional Services).  Please check the Campus Bulletin/signs posted in the Hull Building for deadlines and meetings scheduled to discuss the application process for all prospective student teachers.  Posted deadlines are absolute deadlines!

In order to student teach, you will need to complete more than 90 credits.  You must complete all of the undergraduate special education course requirements before student teaching. Requirements for admission to Student Teaching are:

1. Prior admission to Teacher Preparation.
2. Completed application. You will be required to complete a 200-400 word professional goal and philosophy statement and attach it to your application for student teaching.
3. Overall grade point average of at least 2.50.
4. Liberal Studies major grade point average of at least 2.50.
5. Recommendations from professors in Special Education.
6. A grade of “C” or better in both English 150 and 400.
7. A minimum grade of “C” on all professional education coursework and a professional G.P.A. of at least 2.75
8. Demonstration of the physical and mental health necessary for the tasks associated with the teaching profession.  Individuals who give evidence of a disability must demonstrate compensatory or support skills.

During or immediately following your student teaching, but prior to the start of your graduate year, you will be required to take one of the Praxis Specialty Area tests.

 The Praxis Bulletin of Information with registration forms for test administration dates is available from the Office of Professional Services.

Students who maintain a G.P.A. of 2.0 to 2.49 are eligible for the BS or BA degree, with the addition of a minor from the liberal arts and sciences disciplines or economics, but they may not complete the requirements for licensure nor enter the fifth graduate year.

You must complete the fifth year to earn licensure to teach children K-12 with learning disabilities, emotional disturbance, and mild-moderate mental retardation.

Students are clustered for student teaching in centers located around the state.  Centers are selected to ensure student teachers are exposed to "best practices".  Centers include:  

Fairfax, Chesterfield/Henrico Counties, Virginia Beach City Schools, and the local Prince Edward / Amelia / Buckingham County schools.  The local Prince Edward / Amelia / Buckingham area will be a center each semester.  The other centers may vary from semester to semester.  (Example:  You may be required to choose either the local Longwood area or Chesterfield/Henrico when you student teach.) 

Clustering student teachers provides the following advantages: 

1. Supervision by licensed special education faculty;
2. Grouping for peer support and meetings; and,
3. A better match between what you are taught in your Longwood course work and what you experience in your student teaching.