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Candidates in the PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential Program complete coursework and fieldwork concurrently. The program is designed in this manner to allow for candidates to apply what they learn in coursework within their PK-3 fieldwork setting. 

The CTC requires a minimum of 600 hours of clinical practice in the PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential Program. Clinical practice experiences must include two different grade levels within the PK-3 grade range, including at least 200 hours in a preschool (PK) and/or transitional Kindergarten (TK) setting and a minimum of 200 hours in a Kindergarten through third grade (K3) setting while enrolled in a credential program.

Candidates admitted into the PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential Program may meet state fieldwork requirements by completing either student teaching or meeting these hours as an intern (employed as the teacher of record).

Student Teaching

Student teachers are required to spend five instructional hours per day, four days per week in their student teaching placement. Candidate’s student teaching experience follows a gradual induction model where they begin by observing the classes taught by the cooperating teacher then gradually moving into taking on more instructional responsibility. This includes using a variety of co-teaching strategies during instructional hours. 

The Fieldwork Placement Coordinator arranges each of the student teaching placements. Thus, candidates are not permitted to arrange their own placements; the Fieldwork Placement Coordinator may ask candidates for further information, preferences, and/or help with confirming placement. The Fieldwork Placement Coordinator makes every effort to locate candidates’ field placements close to their residential addresses and to accommodate documented considerations. Living in an urban region, however, student teachers need to be prepared to commute up to 60 minutes to their fieldwork sites.

Once committing to being a student teacher, candidates cannot switch to student teacher under contract or internship status until the semester break.

Student Teaching Equivalency Options

The CTC recognizes that many candidates for this credential may already be experienced early childhood educators and/or have completed structured Early Childhood Education practica. Therefore, the CSUEB PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential Program may recognize and grant equivalency for prior experience based on one of the two options below.

Equivalency Option #1 - Permit and Experience: PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential candidates who meet both the requirements outlined in subsections (A) and (B) below shall be granted equivalence for at least 200 hours of the required clinical practice experience in a PK or TK setting within the program of professional preparation. They may be granted equivalence for an additional 200 total hours of the required clinical practice experience in a PK or TK setting within the program of professional preparation. Such candidates must meet all other program requirements, including at least 200 hours in a K3 setting. Candidates who are eligible for this clinical practice equivalence must meet BOTH of the following criteria: 

1. Hold a valid Child Development Permit at the teacher level or higher, or verify employment as a lead teacher in a Head Start Program, or a childcare and development center serving preschool aged children. 

AND

2. Verify six (6) years or more of satisfactory, full-time teaching experience as a lead teacher in a public or private center-based childcare and development program serving preschool-aged children that is either a license-exempt childcare and development center pursuant to California Health and Safety Code section 1596.792(o) or holds a license as defined in section 101152(l)(1), Article 1, Chapter 1, Division 12, of Title 22. (Programs and candidates can confirm whether or not a center is so-licensed by visiting the Community Care Licensing website: ) 

Any candidate interested in being granted either Equivalency Option must complete the (this is a link to a forced copy) and schedule a meeting with the PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential Program Coordinator to verify having met the requirements for the specified equivalency option. For more information, including key terms related to Equivalency Option #2 requirements,.

Equivalency Option #2 - Practicum Course: Candidates for the PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential who have completed a practicum course at a regionally accredited institution of higher education, including a community college, shall be granted clinical practice equivalency for these hours commensurate with the number of hours served in the practicum course, up to a maximum of 200 hours, provided that ALL of the following conditions are met:

1. The practicum course is credit bearing and degree applicable towards a Teacher level or higher-level Child Development Permit or a degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Child and Adolescent Development, Early Childhood Studies, or Human Development.

2. The practicum hours completed were in a preschool or early childhood setting serving 3–4-year-old children and included clinical practice experience that was supervised at minimum by a trained faculty member/instructor who provided observation and feedback to the candidate.

3. The candidate earned a C or better on the practicum course. Courses earned with a “Pass” or another designation deemed by the institution of higher education to be equivalent to a grade of “C” or higher are also acceptable.

4. The candidate provides to the CSUEB PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential Program verification of the hours served through transcripts and other documentation as determined by the Commission-approved program.

Candidates who have completed a verified work experience as outlined in Equivalency Option 1 above and a qualified practicum experience as outlined in Equivalency Option 2 above may be granted a maximum of 400 hours total toward the clinical practice requirement and shall complete the remaining 200 hours of clinical practice in grades K-3 in the Commission approved teacher preparation program. 

Any candidate interested in being granted either Equivalency Option above must complete the (this is a link to a forced copy) and schedule a meeting with the PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential Program Coordinator to verify having met the requirements for the specified equivalency option. For more information, including key terms related to Equivalency Option #2 requirements,.

Intern Teaching

Interns in the PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential Program are the teacher of record as they work to complete their preparation program and credential requirements. As such there are additional requirements that are specific to intern programs and interns.

1. The California Education Code does not authorize placement of interns in private schools. Candidates may not complete an internship at a private school under any circumstance.

2. Clinical practice for the PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential requires that all candidates complete a minimum of 200 hours each in both a PK or TK setting and a K-3 setting, with the remaining 200 hours in either setting. Interns are not exempt from this requirement. Interns will be required to complete additional fieldwork, beyond their employment contract, in order to meet the clinical practice requirements for the PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential.

Online schools, independent study programs, and home schools are not prohibited as placements for interns, however, the required experience may be difficult and, in some cases, impossible to achieve. 

Fieldwork Calendar

During fall semester, placements begin as close to the start of the school year as possible and continue until the last day of finals week in December. During spring semester, placements begin on the first day of the spring semester and continue until the last day of finals week in May. Candidates must attend their arranged placements during the CSUEB Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring Breaks. Candidates must notify school site personnel, the University Supervisor, and the Program Coordinator in advance of any absence from their fieldwork assignment. They must provide all instructional plans and materials to the school as required for the day.

Observations

As part of the CTC's clinical practice requirements, all candidates must complete at least six observations of fieldwork each semester (fall and spring). Candidates and Univeristy Supervisors work collaboratively to plan observation cycle deadlines, including the submission of video observations, lesson plans, and lesson reflections.

Summative Evaluation and Conference

At the end of each semester or placement, all three parties (Teacher Candidate, University Supervisor, and Cooperating Teacher or site administrator) meet to discuss the growth attained by the candidate over the course of the fieldwork placement. Prior to the conference, the teacher candidate completes the , the University Supervisor completes the , and either the Cooperating Teacher or site administrator completes the to evaluate the candidate’s performance in the field.