Nov 23, 2024  
Fitchburg State University 2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Fitchburg State University 2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Early Childhood Education (PreK-2), B.S.E.


Education


Chairperson
 
 
 
Denise Sargent      
       
Professor
Associate Professors
Assistant Professors
 
Anne Howard William Cortezia Lyndsey Benharris  
  Felicia Farron-Davis Danette Day  
 
Nancy Murray
Karen DeAngelis  
  Joann Nichols Ruth Joseph  
  Denise Sargent Laurie Link  
  Annette Sullivan Robert Shapiro  
    Scott Tyner  
       

Education Program of Study


The Early Childhood Education (PreK-2), Elementary Education (1-6), Special Education: Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8), and Special Education: Severe Disabilities (All Levels) programs lead to an initial license. Education majors place emphasis on college coursework that honors cultural, racial, linguistic, and social diversity.

Field-based experiences begin freshman year and are enhanced by strong departmental collaboration with exemplary schools and host teachers in the region. Candidates continue to hone their skills toward becoming highly qualified, classroom-ready teachers throughout their four years at Fitchburg State University. Following their freshman year, each methodology course is paired with intensive field-based experiences that include faculty-based coaching in a PreK-2 classroom. Beginning Junior year, teacher candidates enroll in a field experience, which is a uniquely guided teaching and learning experience in a PreK-2 classroom under the supervision of a MA licensed teacher and university faculty. Candidates’ time in the field increases their first semester senior year when they enroll in a semester-long professional experience preceding the practicum. During this time, they participate in a minimum of a 150-hour Integrated Partial Practicum that is linked to methods courses where candidates continue to receive specific feedback in areas of reinforcement and refinement. To assure that our teacher candidates are classroom-ready, during their final semester they complete a full-time practicum consisting of inclusion placements in a classroom under the guidance of the program supervisor and under the direction of a supervising practitioner who is certified in the area of licensure sought by the candidate. Candidates enrolled in this course fulfill the hours for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education practicum requirements. As with all of the field experiences, candidates plan and deliver instruction to diverse learners in small group and whole class settings where they will practice and demonstrate the Subject Matter Knowledge standards (SMKs) as well as the Professional Standards for Teachers (PSTs). In addition, they will implement content coursework knowledge and pedagogy obtained from their education methods courses, connecting theory to practice. Candidates will receive targeted, specific feedback in areas of reinforcement and refinement.

Early Childhood Education (PreK-2)


Early Childhood (PreK-2), Elementary Education (1-6), and Special Education: Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8) and Severe Disabilities (All Levels) Initial Licensure Programs

The Education Department of Fitchburg State University fully recognizes and embraces the diversity and challenges that teachers face in today’s public and private schools. The comprehensive program of study is one which deliberately integrates and celebrates these challenges by providing an inclusive model for teacher preparation. Each course provides research-based methods to assess student needs in order to differentiate instruction. Techniques and strategies that address the needs of all learners in the inclusion classroom are emphasized. Courses have been specifically designed to provide teacher candidates with content and strategies to be knowledgeable, skillful, ethical, and caring educators in the 21st century.

Early Childhood PreK-2

Early Childhood Educators are prepared to work with young children with and without disabilities in Pre-K through grade 2 settings. They acquire a strong understanding of how young children learn developmentally and they are able to facilitate learning utilizing appropriate practices. The Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure required for this program are Communication and Literacy, Early Childhood Test, and Foundations of Reading.

Requirements for the Major in Early Childhood Education (PreK-2)

The Speaking/Listening, Computer Literacy and Jr/Sr Writing Requirements are met through the Practicum experience.

The plan of study is as follows (See course descriptions for pre-practicum hours required):

Integrated Partial Practicum (IPP) (Senior Year)


courses taken concurrently

Total: 54 cr.


Liberal Arts and Sciences Requirements - total 48 credits


SMT (12 cr.)