A Partnership for Middle Level Education

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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Program needs • KU 4-8 program • professors need to arrange observation hours for large groups of students • geographically close (1st and 2nd 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

6. 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 5th grade classroom/30 minutes with Mr. Redding (pitch middle level and ask questions)

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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 20-25 students each semester consistently • recruit middle level candidates for after-school remediation program

11. Expansion under discussion • placement of 12-15 ProSem students for 5 week classroom field experience (consistently each year or semester) • placement of 12-15 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

12. Questions? Thoughts?