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Outreach of the Middle Level Education Program

a. Early Field Experiences-

For the minor there are two field experiences in MLE. The first one is early in the candidate's career (Phase I or Phase II) and the second one is student teaching.
Those students in the endorsement program have been teaching in the middle level for at least a semester and often for more than a year.

All candidates for the minor have one or two pre-student teaching experiences in 19 different sites across Metropolitan Detroit; 16 of these sites are public schools. The other three are the Children's Museum, the Detroit Historical Museum and the Detroit Science Center.

Across metropolitan Detroit, schools vary widely in social, cultural and economic diversity, and students are required to document their experiences and reflect upon the varying challenges as they move from one setting to another as pre-student teachers and student teachers. Programs feature classroom assignments at field sites that are an integral part of course work. Student teaching, internships and clinical assignments at all levels are designed to provide a reality base against which students can measure the validity of pedagogical theory.

b. Collaboration/partnerships with K-12 schools- There are currently no formal partnerships or collaborations with K-12 schools beyond the awareness that WSU offers the endorsement program. This has been done through flyers given to to undergraduates or students as they graduate and flyers sent to school districts.

c. Collaboration/partnerships with community organizations- The coordinator of the MLE program has attended the annual Middle Start meetings at Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek.

d. Collaboration/partnerships with other post secondary institutions- The MLE program coordinator has attended meetings of Michigan Schools in the Middle.