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The MEdT program, in seeking the simultaneous renewal of preservice education and preK-12 education, has built educational partners with various groups outside of the university. While all cohorts offer the same set of core courses, they differ depending on the nature of the partnership each has established. At this time applicants may choose from among the following three types of cohorts and partnerships:
Professional Development Schools
The Professional Development School model is the original MEdT model and is now in its 19th year. The model is built around partnerships between the College of Education and a Hawaii DOE school complex. The university faculty and DOE teachers collaborate in supporting the preparation of new teachers and the professional development of experienced teachers from the partnering schools.
Ho'okulaiwi
The Ho'okulaiwi model emphasizes the professional development of high quality teachers for communities with large numbers of native Hawaiian children. Through partnerships with local community leaders and organizations, and the DOE Schools, the program seeks the long term retention of teachers in high need areas and also serves the needs of Hawaiian Language Immersion and Charter schools. Ho'okulaiwi also relies on the teaming of university faculty, and school and community members in developing preservice and inservice teachers.
On-the-Job Teachers
The On-the-Job model supports candidates who have found full-time, paid positions as secondary classroom teachers but are not yet licensed. In this model there are no partnerships with schools or communities as candidates are placed in public, charter, or private schools wherever a vacancy exists on Oahu. This is the only model where candidates do not have the support of mentor teachers so university faculty members serve as both course instructors and on-the-job field advisors.
If candidates are interested in the On-the-Job model it is their responsibility to seek and obtain a teaching position in their intended area of licensure. The MEdT program does not find positions for applicants in this model, but does provide a licensure program for them once they have found a position.
Most candidates participating in this model have been recruited by the national non-profit organization, Teach for America (TFA). Other candidates are local applicants who have secured a teaching position on Oahu but are not licensed and are not applying through TFA. Although the program does not find teaching positions for candidates it does serve candidates who have secured a classroom teaching position independent of the college through TFA, through the DOE personnel office or with private or charter schools.
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