FIELD EXPERIENCE REPORT INSTRUCTIONS
For your field experience placement, you will either complete your practicum in a special education classroom or community placement. These hours mustbe documentedto reflect the appropriate setting: learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, emotional/behavior disabilities, autism, etc.You will submit your Field Experience Plan (when and where you plan to complete your field experience) to your instructor in Module/Week 3.
Please note the following:
1. Both licensure candidates and non-licensure students within this course must complete 10 hours of field experience.
2. Both licensure candidates and non-licensure students may complete their practicum hours in a community setting. Licensure candidates who are unable to complete their hours in a classroom setting must follow the procedures outlined to complete their field experience hours in a community setting.
I. Local Candidates Explained:
Local candidates are required to complete this 10-hour practicum in a community setting that involves students with exceptionalities. The locations onthe following listare considered to be local placements.Both private and public schools are in these Virginia locations near Liberty University's campus. You may not contact the following school systems in Virginia, as outlined at this link: https://www.liberty.edu/academics/education/teacher/index.cfm?PID=25664#local.
II. External Candidates Explained:
External candidates have the option of completing the 10-hour practicum in a school setting or a community setting. External candidates who wish to complete their field experience in a school setting must review the list of school districts found on the Advising Guide. Candidates are not permitted to contact these schools and districts to request placement. External candidates may reach out to schools or districts not found on the list on the Advising Guide. They may also reach out to community organizations (see below) to request their own placement. The External Field Placement Office does not make placement requests for this course.
III. Differences in Field Experience Settings Explained:
Practicing Teachers
Youmaycomplete this field experience in your classroom if your classroom meets all course requirements and if it is approved by your administration.
Licensure Candidates
For licensure candidates completing these hours in a special education classroom, the hours you document for this assignment may count toward field experiences listed on your FES at Gate 4, not your student teaching hours.
It is required that you complete your 10 hours for this course with students with disabilities.During your field experience, you must volunteer to assist the teacher or work with individual students (read to students, listen to students read, help a student with an assignment, practice flash cards, etc.).
You may not use hours from another education course unless you have completed more than 10 hours from EDUC 524 and they meet the following criteria:
• Include more than 1category for exceptionality (intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, emotionaldisabilities, autism, etc.).
• Include more than 1setting/placement option (self-contained, resource, and inclusion settings, if possible).
Non-Licensure Students
If you are a student completing your hours in a community setting, you may collect them as non-direct teaching hours,as specified in the Masters of Education handbook, as you progress throughout the program. You will need to begin exploring options within the community and make those arrangements for your placement.
IV. Possible Community Placements
Here are some possible ideas for community placements: churches, YMCAs, group homes, community service boards, non-profit organizations such as Challenged Sports Exchange of Lynchburg, Special Olympics, daycares, learning centers, Department of Rehabilitative Services, etc.
V. Placement Request Information is not made through the Field Experience Office
The Field Experience Office at Liberty University does not make placement requests for this course, as the required hoursmay be completed in a community setting. If you are in a school district that requires contact from the Field Experience Office in order to secure a placement (http:/www.liberty.edu/academics/education/teacher/index.cfm?PID=25664), you must complete your placement in a community setting.
Field Experience Report Assignment Instructions
Regardless of your field experience setting, after your hours are completed, you will summarize your experience in a 500-750-word paper in current APA format. Indicate the type(s) of setting(s)in which you workedand the duties you performed. In a detailed summary, describe the types of instructional activities you carried out, collaborative opportunities experienced within your placement, materials and resources accessed, and how this field experience benefited your knowledge and understanding of children with exceptionalities.