Placements
In their final semester, Teacher Candidates in Music Education will complete two student teaching placements of approximately 7 weeks each. Student teaching is a 12-credit pass/fail course, and should be the only course in which a student is enrolled during their final semester. Student teachers are expected to fully participate in the music program of the school in which they are placed. The only other obligation during the student teaching semester is a one-hour per week seminar with all other student teachers.
Students apply for student teaching in the spring of their junior year, and will be able to choose a middle school or high school placement in addition to an elementary general music placement.
Specific school placements are determined by the Music Education faculty. Every attempt is made to place Candidates in programs where they will be successful. In order to do this, some placements may be more than an hour away. Transportation costs (including gas and tolls) are the responsibility of the Candidate.
Entry Into Student Teaching
To student teach, candidates must meet the University Council on Teacher Education (UCTE) policy for entry into student teaching by meeting at least one of the following criteria:
- Earn a GPA of at least 3.0 based on the most recent two years of the candidate’s general education.
- Achieve an approved “College Ready” score in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics.
- Be granted a waiver from the Music Education Faculty (See “Application for Waiver” in Upper Division Clearance section).
Candidates seeking the GPA option should consult with the Music Department Advisor to determine their most recent 2-year GPA. A candidate whose GPA may be very close to the cutoff point may want to consider entering through the testing option.
Teacher Candidates who choose the testing option must achieve “College Ready” passing scores on tests that measure the following three areas: reading, writing, and math. Candidates can mix and match scores from different tests, where appropriate.
| Assessment Exam | Reading | Writing | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Evidence-Based Reading/Writing (March 1, 2016-Present) |
480 |
480 |
–- |
| SAT Math (March 1, 2016-Present) |
–- |
–- |
530 |
| (OLD) SAT Verbal/Critical Reading (March 1, 2005-February 29, 2016) |
500 |
–- |
–- |
| (OLD) SAT Writing, (March 1, 2005 – February 29, 2016) |
–- |
500 |
–- |
| (OLD) SAT Math (March 1, 2005-February 29, 2016) |
–- |
–- |
500 |
| Praxis Core Reading (5712) |
156 |
–- |
–- |
| Praxis Core Writing (5722) |
–- |
162 |
–- |
| Praxis Core Math (5732) |
–- |
–- |
150 |
| ACT Reading |
22 |
–- |
–- |
| ACT English Composition |
–- |
18 |
–- |
| ACT Math |
–- |
–- |
22 |
| GRE Verbal |
152 |
–- |
–- |
| GRE Math |
–- |
–- |
145 |
Clearances
The clearances for the student teaching experience vary depending on the location of the placement. The clearances required for Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania are listed below. These clearances must be completed before the first day of student teaching.
Delaware
- Valid criminal background check. http://www.ocs.udel.edu/clearances/background-check/
- Cleared TB test completed within one year of the student teaching experience. http://www.ocs.udel.edu/clearances/tb-test/
- Child Protection Registry clearance if not already completed (this clearance is only completed once). This clearance can be obtained by submitting a Child Protection Registry Form. http://www.ocs.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/ocs/Student-Teacher-Child-Protection-Registry-Form0001.pdf
Maryland
- You will need to complete the three above clearances required for the Delaware placements.
- If you will student teach in Harford County, then you will need to complete two additional clearances. http://www.ocs.udel.edu/clearances/student-teaching/hartford-county-clearances/
Pennsylvania
- You will need to complete the three above clearances required for the Delaware placements.
- For all Pennsylvania placements you will need to complete additional clearances to student teach in Pennsylvania. http://www.ocs.udel.edu/clearances/student-teaching/pennsylvania-clearances/
For more information, visit the OCS website. http://www.ocs.udel.edu/student-teaching/