PACT - Elementary Literacy PACT Implementation Conference 2008 Ann Lippincott UCSB

The back story MST and ESC candidates are integrated for the Language Arts Methods course. One of the major assignments in the course always has been to design and teach a series of lessons addressing one comprehension strategy. The MST candidates historicaly have used this learning segment for their fall take overs.

Scoring rubrics In 2003, we developed scoring rubrics for this assignment that mirrored the PACT rubrics. This served several purposes: Gave us a way to evaluate teacher candidate work Introduced them to rubrics in general Introduced them to the PACT rubrics in particular

Assignment modifications In the original Comprehension Learning Segment assignment, teacher candidates had to: Design the lessons and assessments Teach the lessons Analyze representative samples of student work Write a reflective commentary derived from their analysis Now they only have to design and teach.

Assignment modifications We wanted to encourage professional collaboration across the two credential cohorts (MST and ESC). In 2007, we piloted an assignment option whereby the MST candidates were encouraged to collaborate with their ESC colleagues.

ESC Option Visit your MST colleague’s class to observe the child(ren) who may require special instruction and/or behavioral modifications. Superimpose your suggestions for modifications so that your contributions are visible. Ask your MST colleague for samples of student work, especially for the focus special needs student(s). Analyze the work samples vis-à-vis your suggested modifications. Write a Reflective Commentary about the process of collaboration with general education colleague.

Challenges Educational Specialist credential candidates do not have to take and pass PACT (yet). When they do, we are afraid that this collaboration model may not be possible. This is a concern.

Challenges The other issue we are grappling with this first implementation year of the Elementary Literacy “mini-PACT” is how to continue to encourage and support collaboration among MST credential candidates, especially as the Elementary Literacy “mini-PACT” is for their take overs.

Assignment overview Teacher candidates plan 2-4 lessons designed to develop students’ abilities to comprehend text. Listening or Reading Comprehension PACT Rubrics will be used to score the final assignment EL-1 EL-2 EL-3 Teacher candidates use the TEP Lesson Design Frame.

Assignment overview Task 1 Context for Learning Form Context for Learning Commentary Task 2 Lesson Plans Instructional Materials Planning Commentary