Building on Opportunities for Student Teaching and Learning (BOOST) is a community-based summer preschool program developed, implemented, and coordinated by student teachers, university supervisors, and faculty. Ten preservice graduate students participated in BOOST practicum activities during the spring and summer terms of their 1-year Early Intervention/ Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE) master’s degree program. Eleven children with and without developmental delays attended the preschool program during the 5-week summer term. The student teachers, supervisors/faculty, and families evaluated the effectiveness of the BOOST practicum. Results have implications for alternatives to traditional student teaching and practicum experiences.
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