LBD Continuous Progress Checkpoints
Checkpoint 1 Process: Admissions
Checkpoint 2 Process: Entry to Final Clinical Practice
Checkpoint 3 Process: Program Exit
Candidate Dispositions
LBD Program Major Assessments

Checkpoint Requirements. The LBD curriculum contract that the candidate signs prior to formal admissions into the LBD Program identifies the following LBD Program Checkpoints. Click on the Checkpoint titles below for more detail.

After all required items for admission have been submitted and the criteria met for entry into the LBD program, the prospective candidate is invited to a face-to-face orientation/advising session where the curriculum contract is reviewed and signed. Other important information is reviewed as well, and the candidate is assigned to an advisor. When the Associate Dean of the Graduate School sends a letter, Checkpoint 1 is completed, and the candidate is formally admitted to the LBD program and can register for classes. The candidate receives a notification letter of program admission (Checkpoint 1). For Georgetown accountability purposes, the candidate is entered into the Education Professional Standards Board data system after registering for the first time.

When the candidate begins taking courses, ECE 500-504 and ECE 575A-B should be taken first, following the suggested sequence (totaling 20 hours). Each of these courses includes an assessment in the LBD specialty area. The first Praxis test, Exceptional Children: Core Knowledge (#0353), should be completed as well. (Link to ETS Test-at-a-Glance #0353)

Although the second Praxis test (Exceptional Children: Mild to Moderate, #0542) is not required for passing Checkpoint 2, candidates on Temporary Provisional LBD certificates who wish to complete KTIP while taking ECE 575B and/or ECE 576 must pass both Praxis tests to qualify for KTIP, according to state rules, and often go ahead and complete both LBD Praxis tests. (Link to ETS Test at a Glance #0542)

LBD advisors monitor to ensure that advisees are focusing on the ECE courses first, as well as taking and passing the first Praxis test. When these steps are completed, the candidate is recommended by the LBD Program Director to the Graduate Council for entrance into clinical practice (Checkpoint 2). With Graduate Council approval, the candidate receives a notification letter and is eligible to register for ECE 576 (final clinical practice).

Once the candidate is approved by the Graduate Council for entrance into Final Clinical Practice, passes Checkpoint 2 and is eligible to register for ECE 576, the candidate should also complete the second Praxis test, Exceptional Children: Mild to Moderate Disabilities (#0542) and complete any remaining coursework. In ECE 576, there are two LBD Program major assessments that are part of the clinical evaluation. (Link to ETS Test at a Glance #0542)

In order to complete KTIP while taking ECE 576 (a common 3rd year schedule for candidates in the alt-cert Option 6 program), the candidate must have already received a minimum of 15 mentored hours from Georgetown, pass both Praxis tests, and be recommended by Georgetown in order to qualify for KTIP. The LBD Program Director provides a letter to the candidate of eligibility for KTIP, which the candidate would share with the employing district.

During the candidate’s last year of the program, the candidate takes part in an Exit Interview with the LBD Program Director to go over exit portfolio and graduation requirements. Exit interviews are offered only in Fall and Spring, and the candidate must attend the appropriate semester prior to completion of course work. The LBD Portfolio (link to the Exit Portfolio, below) is a major program assessment. LBD-A candidates (those adding LBD to another certificate) also complete an action research project through EDU 596-597 and add to their LBD portfolio a reflective essay on their professional growth. Candidates complete an Exit Survey evaluating the program at the time that they submit their exit portfolio.

Throughout the courses and field experiences, Georgetown faculty members continuously work with each candidate on the dispositions (attitudes, beliefs, values) expected of Georgetown teacher education candidates. Dispositions are described in the Conceptual Framework (link to existing document). Should a concern arise, the faculty member prepares a Dispositions Record of Concern and meets with the candidate to develop an action plan. The Dispositions Action Plan is monitored by the faculty member, the LBD candidate’s advisor and the LBD Program Director to resolve any concerns prior to the next checkpoint.

Exceptional child education course is associated with at least one LBD Program Major Assessment(s). Each major assessment provides candidates with the opportunity to demonstrate proficiency at a task similar to what is required of special educators in LBD teaching settings and/or the Kentucky Teacher Internship Program (KTIP). The following are the LBD major assessments:

• ECE 500 Individual Education Plan
• ECE 501 Behavior Change Plan
• ECE 502 Case Study
• ECE 503 LBD Teaching Unit
• ECE 504 Collaboration Plan
• ECE 575 Georgetown College Lesson Observation
• ECE 576 Georgetown College Lesson Observation;
• Georgetown College Student/Mentored Teacher Evaluation
• Praxis Education for Exceptional Children: Core Knowledge (#0353)
• Praxis Education for Exceptional Children: Mild to Moderate (#0542)
• LBD Portfolio

LBD program major assessments must be successfully completed as part of each course. In the case where a candidate does not successfully complete the assessment, a Major Assessment Remediation Plan (link to the document already in the graduate folder) must be developed. The plan includes a timeline, steps for the candidate, and any faculty supports needed in order for the candidate to complete the assessment successfully. The candidate’s advisor and the LBD Program Director will also receive a copy of the Remediation Plan to monitor success.

The two LBD Praxis tests are also considered LBD Program Major Assessments but are not associated with any one specific course. Course content in ECE 500-504 addresses Praxis content. In addition, the LBD Program regularly provides Praxis preparation (link to LBD Praxis Testing, below) sessions which candidates are encouraged to attend prior to initially taking either test. If a candidate has been unsuccessful on a test, the candidate’s LBD advisor works with the candidate on a Major Assessment Remediation Plan, which includes

• attendance at a Praxis preparation session,(link to the LBD Calendar page) if this has not already been done;
• completing a self-assessment on Praxis content; and
• developing a plan for addressing areas of weakness.