In the first year, they work in a variety of settings and gradually make the transition from working with individuals and small groups to whole-class instruction. In the second year, they are ready to fully teach one class on their own with support from the regular teacher, while observing and helping in a second. Schedule Students follow the public school calendar for the year, which is considerably longer than the University's academic year. This allows them direct experience with every aspect of each teaching season, from the emotions of the opening of school through the steadiness of winter to the final challenges of June. This ongoing classroom experience is designed to allow students to connect theory and research at the University to the reality of schools at each point in the program.
Few classes take place in the evening, leaving time for study.
Student teaching in public schools is in the morning and can take from 1 to 4 hours depending on the semester and the demands of the school. Day Care centers exist close to Berkeley for students with children. Nearby BART, a perimeter bus, on-campus restaurants, libraries, and student lounges create a convenient environment for students. All grad fees paid in return for a 4-year commitment to teaching in a low income school. Half of all public schools in California qualify including almost all in San Francisco, Alameda, and West Contra Costa Counties.