Vision of UMN Special Education Teacher Candidates
Graduates of the University of Minnesota Special Education Teacher licensure programs are student-centered, collaborative professionals who deliver robust, high-quality, and specialized educational services, adding value to the learning and development of infants, children, and adults with disabilities from diverse cultural backgrounds. Our graduates are knowledgeable in the following areas:
- Engaging in collaborative problem solving with families and professionals to meet the academic, social, behavioral, and life skills needs of individuals with disabilities;
- Implementing – and supporting others’ implementation of – evidence-based instruction and intervention with fidelity to improve student
outcomes; - Using reliable and valid assessment data to make individualized educational decisions;
- Systematically selecting and adapting instructional supports to meet individual needs, based on data and knowledge of individual learning, developmental, cultural differences;
- Maximizing expectations and learning opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the Least Restrictive Environment using the full continuum of
services; and - Upholding principles of professionalism and ethics in their practice.
To fulfill this vision, UMN Special Education Teacher Candidates use the IDEAL Problem Solving Model to:
- Identify the problem
- Define the problem
- Explore alternative solutions
- Apply solutions
- Look at the effects of solutions
Grade Requirements
Successful demonstration of competencies as specified in state and national standards is essential for effective teaching. As such, the Special Education teacher licensure programs are designed on a competency-based model. To assist in determination that teacher candidates have sufficient knowledge and skills for student teaching, teacher candidates must meet minimum performance standards in licensure coursework. A student/teacher candidate must (a) attain a B (3.0) average across all licensure coursework completed prior to the semester of student teaching and (b) attain a minimum grade of B- in each of these individual courses.