Department of Special Education in Partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools

1. Department of Special Education in Partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools SET IT (SpecialEducatorTeacher ImmersionTraining) An Overview

2. SET IT (SpecialEducatorTeacher ImmersionTraining) A Partnership between: Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and Johns Hopkins University (JHU)

3. SET IT:A partnership program between JHU and MCPS for persons interested in pursuing aMaster of ScienceinSpecial EducationforTeaching Students with Mild to Moderate Disabilities (MMD):* Learning Disabilities * Emotional Disabilities * Mild Mental Retardation

4. SET IT Program Coordinators Johns Hopkins University Ms. Sally Slater (301) 294-7040 sslater@jhu.edu www.cte.jhu.edu/JHUsetitMCPS Montgomery County Public Schools Ms. Judy Webster (301) 353-8556Judyann_C_Webster@mcpsmd.org

5. Program Components • Close Collaboration between MCPS/JHU • On going application of course work • Input and expertise of practicing educators • Work experience in two special education programs • Seminars focused on change, problem solving and developing a vision • Support from fellow interns and project staff

6. JHU MMD Program offers two areas of concentration: • Elementary/Middle (grades 1-8) • Secondary/Adult (grades 6-12)

7. Admission Requirements • Appropriate dispositions for teaching • Bachelor’s degree, 3.0 GPA or graduate degree • Successful completion of Praxis I • SET IT application (includes 2 references, copies of official or unofficial transcripts, essays) MUST be mailed to Ms. Sally Slater • JHU application • Panel Interview, if invited, which includes a writing sample • MCPS employment eligibility, which includes state and federal criminal background checks

8. If accepted into the program . . .

9. JHU Provides: • All graduate course work needed to meet MSDE certification requirements and earn a MS degree • Most classes at the JHU Montgomery Campus or at MCPS sites (afternoons, evenings and some weekends) • Instructors active in public education, many from MCPS • Supervision during internships • Program coordination and advisement

10. MCPS Provides: • Employment opportunity as a paraeducator • ~ 20-30% Tuition Assistance per year • Work Site Internships for Student Teaching • Ongoing Supervision and Mentoring by Colleague Teacher • Opportunity to take 3 of 4 Pre/Co-requisite courses through staff development

11. JHU MMD Program Pre/Co-Requisites As a state-approved program, JHU requires 12 credits of pre/co-requisite course work for Special Education certification if not already completed with a grade of “B” or higher at another accredited university. • Course may be taken at any accredited university, including community colleges (undergraduate) and on-line • Courses may be taken as undergraduate courses; if taken at JHU, will be graduate courses as undergraduate courses in education not offered • Coursework grades must be “B” or above

12. JHU MMD ProgramPre/Co-Requisites • These courses MAY BE TAKEN through MCPS as part of the SET IT Partnership Program: • Introduction to Children and Youth with Exceptionalities • Introductory Processes and Acquisition of Reading • Diagnosis/Assessment for Reading Instruction • Applicants must take Human Growth and Development (birth to death) on their own

13. JHU/MCPS SET IT Program and MD Certification Requirements By the End of the Program: • Pre/Co-requisites (Special Ed) • MMD Education course work • Internships • Successful completion of Praxis I and II exams * * Note: All coursework must be completed with a “B” or above * *

14. Successful completion of the SET IT program leads to: • Maryland State Dept. of Ed. (MSDE) Generic Certification in Special Education grades Pre-K through 12 • Master of Science Degree in Special Education

15. A Summary of Your Initial Responsibilities: • Contact Ms. Judy Webster or Ms. Sally Slater with additional questions • Download and complete SET IT application packet and submit a paper copy via post mail to Ms. Sally Slater by March 11, 2005 • Download recommendation forms and request 2 professional references to complete them. Be sure to include 2 stamped envelopes addressed to Ms. Sally Slater. They must be received by March 11, 2005. • Complete JHU application and submit with fee • Take and pass Praxis I prior to admission • Take Human Growth and Development course (if needed) • Participate in interview and writing sample, if invited • Commit to SET IT Cohort 11 if offered admission Initially accepting a place in the cohort then subsequently declining may adversely affect other candidates.

16. Please Remember: • Applicants who submit passing scores on Praxis I may be given preference. • Previous experience in education is not necessary. • Persons from diverse cultures are encouraged to apply. • Once complete applications are received, they will be screened. Interviews will be offered to select candidates. • SET IT 11 program begins June 2005

17. One Teacher can shape a child; One Child can shape a world Thank you for your interest in the SET IT Partnership Program. Good Luck!

18. Photo Credits • Slide 1: Greencastle ES • Slide 2: Gaithersburg MS • Slide 10: Silver Spring International MS • Slide 16: • Montgomery Village MS (2) • Quince Orchard HS • Montgomery County Public Schools