Early Childhood Student Teaching Placements
The student teaching practicum is a semester-long, full-time experience in two different settings in public (non-charter) schools. The first portion of the practicum, which lasts a minimum of 100 hours over approximately 5 weeks, is spent in a kindergarten classroom. The student teacher completes the second part of the experience, a minimum of 200 hours, in a first or second grade classroom. The early childhood student teaching practicum is offered both fall and spring semesters. In each setting, the student teacher is assigned to an early childhood classroom teacher who will serve as the Supervising Practitioner. The Supervising Practitioner must meet the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's requirements in order to serve in this capacity. Students are also supervised by a Program Supervisor--a College faculty member from the Education Department who visits the student in his or her classroom on a regular basis. The supervising practitioner and College faculty member provide feedback, support and evaluation of the student teacher.
Remember the application deadlines: Student teaching placement application materials are due the semester before the semester you plan to student teach.The required application forms are linked after the prerequisites listed below.
- Applications for spring semester placements are due October 1.
- Applications for fall semester placements are due February 15.
Your advisor's signature is required on the student teaching application. Please plan accordingly so you have time to prepare your application, proofread and edit your statements, and obtain the necessary signature before the application is due. To ensure continued compliance with licensure regulations, the Placement Coordinator in the Education Department (Dwight 302) has responsibility for making all student teaching placements for undergraduate and post baccalaureate students. Students who have questions about placements should consult with the Placement Coordinator.
Prerequisites for Undergraduates: Successful completion of EDUC 200 Education in American Society with Field Study I, EDUC 320 The Young Child: Emerging Literacy with Field Study II, EDUC 374 Early Childhood Curriculum: Mathematics and Science with Field Study III, EDUC 376 Early Childhood Curriculum: Reading, Social Studies and Special Needs, and PSYC 200 Psychology of Development; minimum cumulative QPA of 2.7 in all course work taken at Framingham State College; minimum QPA of 2.7 in education program course work taken at Framingham State College, including PSYC 200 Psychology of Development; passing scores on the MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills test (both portions), the Early Childhood test and the Foundations of Reading test.
Prerequisites for PBTL Students: Successful completion of PBTL 997 Children, Adolescents, School and Society, PBTL 992 Learning and Human Development, EDUC 002 Field Study in Education, EDUC 320 The Young Child: Emerging Literacy with Field Study II, EDUC 374 Early Childhood Curriculum: Mathematics and Science with Field Study III, and EDUC 376 Early Childhood Curriculum: Reading, Social Studies and Special Needs; minimum cumulative QPA of 2.7 in all course work taken at Framingham State College; minimum QPA of 2.7 in education program course work taken at Framingham State College; passing scores on the MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills test (both portions), the Early Childhood test and the Foundations of Reading test.