Program Overview

Single Subject Credential Program Student Teaching Overview

The Single Subject Credential Program offers a comprehensive student teaching experience, divided into two semester-long phases: Phase I and Phase II/III. This clinical field experience allows credential candidates to implement the knowledge and skills acquired in seminars.

Phase I Student Teaching

During Phase I, student teachers work with their mentor teacher for two periods each day, with an additional time set aside each week for conferencing, debriefing, and planning. The experience culminates in three weeks of lead teaching in one of the two periods. Students also enroll in EDTE 260: Learning Environments and attend a support seminar to discuss their student teaching experiences. To be eligible for Phase I, students must meet subject matter competency requirements.

Phase II and III Student Teaching

In Phase II and III, student teachers increase their commitments, working with a mentor teacher(s) for four periods each day. They lead teach two of the four periods for the entire semester and complete two weeks of full-day participation in the classroom. Additionally, student teachers must fulfill the requirements for the summative assessment for the program: The Performance Assessment for California Teachers.

Placements

All student teaching placements are arranged by the university in collaboration with local administrators to ensure quality and fairness. Placements are subject to the approval of site administration and the mentor teacher. The administrator and/or mentor teacher may request to interview the teacher candidate before agreeing to serve as mentor and has the right to decline the placement. If a teacher candidate is unplaceable for more than one semester, they will be disqualified from the program.

Placement Criteria

Placements at San Jose State University are made within the primary service area (within Santa Clara County) based on program criteria, including:

• School demographics
• Mentor teacher experience and credentials
• Course distribution Placements outside of the primary service area but still within Santa Clara County may be possible depending on supervisor availability. However, placements outside of Santa Clara County are not made, and student teachers may not arrange their own placements or set their own schedules. The university considers geography and time constraints when arranging placements.