GEN: Higher Ed. Re: Practicum

[Linda Esser <lresser@service1.uky.edu>]

Certification is undergoing extensive change in Kentucky.  Due to these
changes, library media specialists will no longer be endorsed K-8 or 5-12,
or K-12, but will have a K-12 professional certification.

Currently, individuals who are certified teachers are required to do a three
week practicum at the level at which they are seeking certification.  In our
program, we require three consecutive weeks of five consecutive days in
either an elementary or a middle/secondary school setting, with the level
dictated by the endorsement the candidate is pursuing.  This is problematic
for candidates who must take a leave of absence from their teaching
positions, often without pay.  The problem will be compounded when the
certification changes.

Since we are moving to a standards based system, the higher ed institutions
have been given leave to construct their programs in innovative ways.  There
are no specific requirements set by the Kentucky Department of Education.
We are an NCATE accredited institution and have to consider those guidelines.

Would anyone who has similar certification (K-12) share how they have
constructed the practicum experience for their students.  We want to strike
a balance between turning out highly competent new school media librarians
and a reasonable consideration of the students' needs.  What have you found
that works?

TIA



Linda Esser
School of Library & Information Science
502C King Library South
Lexington, KY 40506-0039
Telephone:  (606)257-4439
FAX:  (606)257-4205
E-mail:  lresser@pop.uky.edu
         esser@iglou.com