1610. MIDDLE SCHOOL EDUCATION (GRADES 4-8)

1610 MIDDLE SCHOOL EDUCATION (GRADES 4-8) 1610.1 In addition to the general education requirements, for certification in middle school education, the following shall be required: (a) A minimum of thirty (30) semester hours in a major content area representing a broad, adequate background in the subject to be taught; and (b) A minimum of twenty-one (21) semester hours in the professional foundations and instructional knowledge of middle school education that provides theoretical and research knowledge and practical skills in the following: (1) Human growth and development as it relates to the physical, emotional, intellectual, and moral development of the young adolescent; (2) Modeling and incorporating positive skills such as cooperation, assertiveness, responsibility, empathy, and self-control in everyday classroom management and expectations; (3) Creating a positive and caring environment, using a variety of instructional techniques that are developmentally appropriate and that organizes the curriculum to adapt to the learning style of each student; (4) Designing interdisciplinary, developmentally appropriate programs of study within a team framework; (5) Using an issues-oriented curriculum to engage young adolescents in the development of physical and psychological self-knowledge and social interaction; (6) Developing and utilizing assessment strategies aligned with teaching outcomes; and (7) Emphasizing the active involvement of the student in the learning process through hands-on activities; (c) Supervised classroom instruction: (1) Supervised planning, observation and teaching experience preferably at the intermediate (4-6) grade levels or middle school grades (4-8); or (2) A minimum of one (1) year of satisfactory teaching experience in grades K-12. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 28 DCR 3201 (July 17, 1981); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 33 DCR 6542 (October 24, 1986); and by Final Rulemaking published at 40 DCR 6893, 6901-02 (October 1, 1993).