The Special Education Internship is a 3 credit supervised experience offered in a public school setting. VT-HEC supervisors work with VT-HEC student interns to provide a competency based experience that reinforces graduate course content as well as exposing the intern to important opportunities that ensure development and implementation of effective programs for learners eligible for special education services. The internship focuses on the use of collaborative teaming and creative problem solving, the creation of a collaborative climate, the development of comprehensive educational services, designing and developing instructional programs that accommodate learners' needs, creating supportive social networks for learners, determining eligibility and the development of individual educational plans, and using family centered approaches to facilitate family and learner involvement. Interns receive direction, guidance, and direct feedback from their field based mentor as well as a VT-HEC Special Education Supervisor.