MEMO TO THREE SUMMERS STUDENTS

This memo has been prepared to acquaint students with the requirements of EPSY 5092 and to provide necessary documentation and evaluation information.

The Purpose of the Independent Study
This Practicum has been designed as an implementation project and vehicle for ensuring that all students in the Teaching for Talent Development Program have mastered the teaching and administrative competencies necessary for implementing a successful SEM Program. Although students are required to be familiar with a variety of programming options in talent development, it is felt that those graduating from the TTD Program should have a thorough familiarity with the model and philosophy of the system developed here at UConn.

SEM Competencies
In order to acquaint students with the breadth of these skills, we have prepared a list (menu) of skills, known as the SEM Competencies Menu. As you review this list, please keep in mind that students should concentrate their coursework on SEM skills they have not yet attempted (with exceptions made for more informed implementation of prior skills that met with less success in the past). Furthermore, University regulations stipulate that a three-credit graduate level independent study should involve 90–120 hours of work. Use this SEM Menu of options as a worksheet to decide which skills you have already mastered, which skills you have yet to accomplish, and with consideration for which skills can be realistically attempted in your present teaching situation. New skills must be your target skills for this Practicum and should include those begun during the current school year.

Step One—After reviewing the list of SEM Competencies, determine your choices for new SEM competency skills equaling 90–120 hours.

Step Two—Click here to open the Contract for Competencies Document (CCD) form. Complete the top portion and enter the competencies (skills) you have chosen to accomplish for this class. List the letters and numbers from the Competencies Menu in Column One (Example: B-2) to specify the activity. In Column Two, abbreviate the skill (Example: Prepare a Type I Interest Center). In Column Three, record the time allocation (Example: 10 Hours). Check to be sure that your list equals at least 90 hours of work and type an “X” in the box indicating these represent new skills for you. Finally, email this completed CCD form to Mary Sullivan and she will promptly approve and/or give you feedback on your contract.

Step Three—After you receive communication from Mary indicating that your CCD has been approved, you may begin accomplishing each competency. Mary is available via email throughout the completion of your Practicum if questions or concerns arise, or if changes need to be made.

Step Four—Students may find it helpful to set up a digital or hard copy file system for each chosen competency as a place to collect and hold notes, realia, and other information. These items will be used as evidence of completion during the documentation phase in Step 5.

Step Five—In order to prepare your work for submission, complete one Documentation of SEM Competencies form for each skill (see sample). Also describe what you are including to document your completion of this activity. Complete a separate form for each activity you choose to include in your final product.

Step Six—To conclude your Practicum experience, submit each activity’s documentation (emails, photos, documents, lesson plans, newsletters, etc.) with its appropriate Documentation of SEM Competencies form. Arrange these skills in the same order as they appear on your contract. Practicum may be submitted either digitally or as a hard-copy binder or file. E-mail Mary Sullivan when you are ready to submit your Practicum – no later than December 1st if you are registered for the preceding spring semester, or May 1st if you are registered for the preceding summer or fall semesters. If you are submitting your Practicum as a hard copy, Mary will send you a mailing address.

Evaluating Your Work
When your Practicum is received, each activity and its accompanying documentation will be evaluated and comments will be recorded. Mary will notify you when she has submitted a final grade and she will email/mail you her evaluation of your work.

Files you may find helpful . . .

Scales for Rating the Behvioral Characteristics of Superior Students-II (Renzulli Hartman Rating Scales)

If I Ran the School

Mary Sullivan
email: mary.b.sullivan@uconn.edu