Innovative Practice-Based Approaches for Improving

the Quality of Teachers

Dual Certification Programs

Dual Certification Programs

Discrete: Separate programs completed in full

Integrated: Programs remain distinct but curriculum is integrated– Requires course content modifications

Merged: Single program in which curriculum is fully integrated– Requires program redesign and development of

new courses

How Many? We have identified nearly 100 IHEs offering

nearly 150 dual certification programs Half Bachelor’s Degrees, half Master’s Located in 29 states

– About 2/3 are clustered in the Northeast About 1/2 combine elementary and SE, 1/3

combine preK and SE, and 1/6 combine secondary and SE– Problem: Elementary gen ed and K12 SE

Field Experience Requirement Template

Student Teaching in both certification areas Usually equivalent time commitments Providence College (RI)

– 120 credit bachelor’s degree program– Elementary/SE – Which culminates with two semesters of student

teaching: a minimum of 12 weeks with an elementary teacher and a minimum of 12 weeks with an elementary/special education teacher

Innovative Practice

Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee – 54 credit – MA program– Inclusive Education

Student teaching consists of a 20-week placement in an inclusive setting or two 10-week placements: one in a regular education setting and one in a special education setting

Innovative Practice

Bowling Green State University– 122 credit bachelor’s degree programs– Inclusive early childhood education

Two Internships in an inclusive K-3 classroom, with supervised experiences as a general classroom teacher and an intervention specialist

Innovative Practice

Shippensburg University– 135 Credit, bachelor’s degree program– Special Education and Early Childhood

Education

12 credits student teaching experience in two field placements – 8 weeks in a PK-4 inclusive environment– 8 weeks in a PK-8 Special Education setting

Innovative Practice

Cazenovia College– 129 credit, bachelor’s degree– English 7 to 12/SE

One 7-week placement in grades 7-9 and one 7-week placement in grades 10-12. At least half of the required classroom settings be inclusive classrooms and/or working with students with special needs.

Innovative Practice—Not!!

8 Credits Student Teaching Elementary but only 5 Credits-Student Teaching Exceptional Need

3 Credit Special Education Mini Practicum …placements involve working with one

content teacher for a full semester. However, because we are a dual certification program, student teachers must have an opportunity to work with students with disabilities as well.