Education

Students in Education Programs may concentrate their study toward licensure in one of five areas: Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Middle School Education, Secondary Education, and Special Edeucation; or in a non-licensure area: Early Learning: Working with Children 0 - 6 and Their Families. This study may be extended through various specializations which enhance students' marketability and efficacy in the educational setting. Some students may elect to minor in Education. In addition, students may apply for acceptance in one of several Dual Degree Programs.

The instructional coursework for each program is designed to prepare students for teaching in a multicultural society and it is based upon a process or clinical approach. Throughout the Lesley curriculum, theory is combined with competency-based practical field work with children and adolescents. Various methodologies are used including formal lectures, round table discussions and/or seminars, and cooperative learning groups. These are combined with collaborative student and faculty interaction to find solutions to the daily problems that aspiring teachers may encounter in their work with students. Appropriate field experiences are arranged in the first, sophomore, and junior years culminating in an intensive student teaching practicum during the senior year.* In this capstone experience, viewed as a synthesis of all that has been learned, students assume their greatest responsibility as future teachers.

Students select a program according to their professional interests and, with the exception of the Early Learning program, determine the teaching license for which they plan to qualify.**

• The Early Childhood Education Major leads to licensure as an early childhood teacher, grades PreK-2.
• The Elementary Education Major leads to licensure as an elementary teacher, grades 1-6.
• The Early Learning Major prepares the student to work with young children and their families in a variety of educational settings. This program does not lead to a teacher licensure.
• The Middle School Education Major leads to licensure as a middle school teacher, grades 5-8.
• The Secondary School Education Major leads to licensure as a high school teacher, grades 8-12.
• The Special Education Major leads to licensure as a teacher of students with moderate disabilities, grades PreK-8.

*The college accepts reasonable responsibility for providing accessible field placements for any handicapped students and for ensuring that the cooperating school understands the student's handicap.

**Teaching licenses described in the catalog are based on the initial license requirements of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Requirements for the Education Majors

Requirements for Progression in Education Majors

The Lesley College curriculum is designed to ensure that at the point of graduation Education majors are ready to be effective classroom teachers and meet the requirements of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure. Passing these tests is required of all students applying for teacher licensure in Massachusetts, and similar tests are required of students seeking certification in most other states.

As students progress through their coursework at Lesley they must meet specific criteria that indicate their readiness to move to a higher level of teacher preparation within their licensure program. Beginning with their first year, the program is designed to give students feedback with regard to a variety of skills needed for success as a teacher. This ensures that students have an accurate picture of their skill level as they progress through the program and may therefore address any areas that need improvement as early as possible.

First Year

In order to receive Preliminary Acceptance into the Education major a student must:

• receive a grade of C or higher and successfully complete the field experience in the first year education course: CEDUC 1352 Teaching, Learning and Social Responsibility
• pass the Massachusetts Educator Communication and Literacy Skills Test

A student who does not meet the above requirements embarks on the Course of Action approved by the Program Director for Education. Upon successful completion of this Course of Action, the student will receive Preliminary Acceptance into the Education major.

Sophomore Year

In order to receive full acceptance into the Education major a student must:

• receive a grade of C+ or higher and successfully complete the field experience in the appropriate Sophomore Core Class: Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Middle and High School Education, or Special Education
• receive a grade of C+ or higher in Literacy Learning or Content Area Reading in grades 5-12
• pass the Massachusetts Educator Foundations of Reading Test if majoring in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or Special Education

A student who does not meet the above sophomore requirements embarks on the Preparation Plan approved by the division director for Education. Upon successful completion of the Preparation Plan, a student will receive full acceptance into the Education major.

Junior Year

In order to be eligible for the Junior Practicum and Seminar in Early Childhood Education (Early Childhood Education majors) or the Junior Practicum and Seminar in Early Intervention (Early Childhood Education majors with a specialization in Early Intervention) an Early Childhood student must:

• receive full acceptance into the Education major
• have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher

In order to be eligible for the Senior Practicum and Seminar a student must:

• receive full acceptance into the Education major

• receive a passing grade in Junior Practicum and Seminar in Early Childhood Education (Early Childhood Education majors) or Junior Practicum and Seminar in Early Intervention (Early Childhood Education majors with a specialization in Early Intervention)

• have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher
• pass the subject area portion of the Massachusetts Educator Test

Senior Year

To successfully complete the Education major a student must:

• receive a passing grade in Senior Practicum and Seminar and the appropriate requisite course: Working with Parents and Children in Integrated Early Childhood Settings, Meeting the Individual Needs of Diverse Populations, The Teaching of Writing K-12, Teaching Historical Research and Writing, or Curriculum Adaptation and Technology.

Lesley College MTEL Policy

In order to be eligible for senior student teaching a student must pass all portions of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) required for his/her license.

A general timeline for taking the MTEL is outlined in the "Requirements for Progression through the Education Majors."

Licensure Programs in Education

Non-Licensure Programs in Education