A Partnership for Middle Level Education -Kutztown University Middle Level Teacher Education Program -Fleetwood Middle School

Participants Carol Watson – Assistant Professor of Education – Kutztown University Chris Redding – Principal of Fleetwood Middle School – Fleetwood Public School District

Background became acquainted originally through 2 of my children attending Fleetwood Middle School FMS has historically hosted KU Education students in PDE’s K-6 program: – to fulfill observation hour requirements (30 hours total) for individual students – to complete 8 weeks student teaching placements

New Middle Level Certification Program changes in requirements and criteria: – 40 hours of classroom observation – all hours specifically attached to various courses throughout early program – grades 4-8 – course observation hours have a specific focus or task based on the course to which they are attached

Program needs KU 4-8 program – professors need to arrange observation hours for large groups of students – geographically close (1 st and 2 nd year students) – classrooms specifically in grades 4-8 – buildings accurately reflecting middle level theory and practices Fleetwood MS – effective future hires knowledgeable of middle level theory and practice – extra instructional help in classrooms – capable (free) staffing of after-school remediation program – potential of in-services on middle level issues

Accomplished Fall 2010 EDU 015-Freshmen Seminar – requirement of 2 hours 1 primary grade 1 middle level purpose is to compare the 2 levels – approximately 60 freshmen observed at FMS 3 different choices of days/times to choose from carpool plan for transportation 1 hour in 5 th grade classroom/30 minutes with Mr. Redding (pitch middle level and ask questions)

ELU 212 Teaching Diverse Learners at the Middle Level – requirement of 10 hours purpose is to recognize characteristics of diverse learners and identify strategies to accommodate them – approximately 30 sophomores shadowed at FMS 3 different choices of days/times to choose from carpool plan for transportation shadowed a student as opposed to a teacher accomplished 7 hours of the 10 required

Results Kutztown University 4-8 Program – accomplished my course responsibility with relative ease – students missed a minimal amount of classes – student response was SPECTACULAR LOVED getting the student perspective recognized everything learned from class saw multiple teaching styles and strategies great future connection with MS education opportunity to work with ML kids after school

Results Fleetwood Middle School – influenced several (3 to date) KU students to switch to 4-8 program from PK-4 program – access to observe and gain familiarity with potential new hires specifically educated in middle level theory and practice – many students volunteered to participate in after-school remediation program

Future plans continue/expand both observation events – freshman (1 hour) Fall 2011 expand numbers recruit students to middle level – sophomore (7 hours) Fall 2011 about students each semester consistently recruit middle level candidates for after-school remediation program

Expansion under discussion placement of ProSem students for 5 week classroom field experience (consistently each year or semester) placement of Clinical Experience for 8 week classroom field experience possibility of in-service programs for FMS faculty on specific issues of interest/concern possibility of Mr. Redding and/or faculty speak to KU classes on campus about middle level education

Questions? Thoughts?