Pre-practicum experiences: Candidates participate in field experiences in two courses prior to the four-credit hour practicum, LIT 693. LIT 540/LIT 550 requires a one-credit hour experience consisting of a minimum of 10 clock hours in the field. Candidates observe and note a child’s reading behaviors during instructional reading time with a lteracy specialist. Candidates also conduct reading interviews. Observational notes are then compared to the information provided on the reading interview.

LIT 680/LIT 681 also requires a one-credit hour field experience of at least 10 clock hours carefully guided by the instructor. Candidates learn to administer a variety of literacy assessments including but not limited to reading and writing surveys, interest surveys, reading inventories, miscue analyses, and writing trait analyses. In addition, they learn a variety of instructional interventions appropriate for the struggling learner. Over the course of the semester they work with one student in a school or home setting. They develop a learner portfolio and case study that details and analyzes the assessment and instruction process and provides suggestions to guide others who might be working with the student in the future.

The culminating field experience occurs in LIT 693, The Literacy Practicum. This is a four-credit hour, semester-long practicum. Collectively, LIT 540/550, LIT 680/681 and LIT 693 meet the 6 credit hour experience required for Role III, the Literacy Specialist. A full-time Literacy Education faculty member supervises the practicum experience with the support of mentor practitioners. Candidates must demonstrate an ability to do the following: assess and instruct diverse learners; work collaboratively with other professionals and paraprofessionals; and serve as a resource for teachers, administrators, and parents.

During the practicum (as stipulated in the New York State Education Department’s certification requirements), candidates spend a minimum of 50 clock hours working at grade levels appropriate to the certificate sought. For the Teaching of Literacy Birth - Grade 6 certificate, candidates must log no fewer than 20 clock hours at any given level. A weekly seminar that accompanies these college-supervised experiences provides a rich forum for candidates to discuss and analyze issues raised during their daily practicum experiences.