Virginia Tech's Off Campus Provisional Certificate Vocational Education Program.

Overview & Synopsis

Virginia Tech has implemented an off-campus individualized instruction model for new, inservice, provisional certificate teachers. The program has incorporated several innovations to enhance the quality and efficiency of this approach, which has been practiced in various states for a number of years. The provisional certificate course series consists of five offerings taught over a two-year period: introduction to vocational and technical education, methods of teaching vocational subjects, laboratory management, curriculum development, and evaluation. Use of the conventional model Performance-Based Teacher Education modules is a basic program component. Specialized modules have been developed in the areas of methodology for teaching handicapped and disadvantaged students, planning a first-week management system, demonstrating an understanding of adolescent behavior, and demonstrating a knowledge of federal, state, and local policies. After the provisional certificate requirements have been completed, a teacher educator completes the competency program sheet, which indicates competence in seven areas mandated by the Virginia Department of Education. Some periodic group interaction is required. (A list of modules used and a competency program sheet are appended.) (YLB)