Western Governors University

D722: Student Teaching II in Secondary Education

A guide to the final secondary student teaching course and the evaluation that decides licensure eligibility.

Updated October 2026 · 5 min read

D722 Student Teaching II in Secondary Education is the final part of the two-part series and a mandatory course for initial licensure at Western Governors University. WGU says successful completion determines eligibility for licensure as a professional educator.

You are expected to implement instruction, assessment and professional behavior with growing independence. The evaluation looks at relevance and cultural engagement, effectiveness for each student, the ability to analyze and adjust, and willingness to try new methods.

Course at a Glance

ItemDetails
UniversityWestern Governors University
CodeD722 (check your degree plan)
FollowsStudent Teaching I in Secondary Education
RequiredPlacement, final evaluation, synchronous sessions
Session themesProfessional growth, ethical decisions, self-care

What D722 Covers

Competency (summarized)Secondary meaning
Ongoing commitment to improvement through reflection and collaborationWorking with department colleagues
Implements instruction and assessment from content and pedagogyFull unit-level planning and teaching
Implements knowledge of learning and developmental patternsAdolescent-appropriate challenge and support
Implements professional dispositionsReliable, ethical conduct

WGU's guide for the secondary program lists these four competencies for Student Teaching II. Other WGU programs list a fifth about creating a development plan, so check your own course page for the full list.

Ideas That Carry the Course

Planning Across Several Lessons

By this stage you plan sequences, not single lessons. Show how today's lesson builds on yesterday's and prepares tomorrow's, and how assessment data shapes the next step.

Example: A three-lesson sequence on persuasive writing moves from analyzing a model, to planning with a graphic organizer, to drafting with peer feedback. A short check after lesson one shows which students need the organizer modeled again, and you adjust lesson two accordingly.

Differentiating Without Lowering Expectations

Offer scaffolds such as sentence frames, glossaries or choice of texts while keeping the same learning goal.

Showing Professionalism

Dispositions include punctuality, preparation, respect for confidentiality and openness to feedback. They are visible every day, not only on observation days.

Typical Work and Approaches

Work typeWhat it testsApproach
Sequenced teachingInstruction and assessmentPlan backwards from the goal
Final evaluationReadinessDiscuss criteria with your mentor
SessionsGrowth and ethicsRecord takeaways
ReflectionAnalysisUse data and feedback

Showing Your Planning at Unit Level

Evaluators see single lessons, but strong teachers think in units. If you can explain where a lesson fits, what came before and what follows, you demonstrate content and pedagogy knowledge far better than a polished one-off.

Write a short unit overview: the big question, the sequence of lessons, the major assessments and the points where you will check progress. Share it with your mentor early so that your placement timetable and your plan agree.

Unit elementExample (illustrative)Why it matters
Big questionHow do authors build an argument?Gives lessons a purpose
Lesson sequenceModel, practice, draft, reviseShows progression
Assessment pointsExit ticket, draft check, final pieceEvidence for adjustment
Adjustment notesRe-teach thesis after lesson twoShows responsiveness

Cultural Engagement in the Evaluation

Relevance and cultural engagement of activities is one of the evaluation lenses WGU names. In a secondary classroom this can be as simple as choosing texts by authors from different backgrounds, using data about the local community in a statistics lesson, or letting students connect a historical event to current issues.

Write briefly about why you chose a resource and how learners responded, including anything that did not work. Honest notes show a willingness to explore new materials, which the evaluation also values.

Tracking the Competencies

Because the evaluation looks across your whole practice, keep a simple tracker with one row per competency and columns for evidence, date and next step. Review it with your mentor around the midpoint. If a row is empty, plan a lesson or activity that will fill it.

CompetencyEvidence ideaNext step
Improvement through reflection and collaborationCo-planning notes, feedback logAsk for a department observation
Instruction and assessmentUnit overview, exit ticket resultsAdjust the next lesson
Learning and developmental patternsAnonymized differentiated tasksDescribe the thinking behind them
Professional dispositionsExamples of preparation and communicationNote one ethical decision

Where Students Get Stuck

Study Tips for D722

How We Help with D722

Send your prompts, rubric and drafts. We provide model examples and editing feedback. Our education assignment help guide covers wider support.

GradeEssays is independent of Western Governors University and does not teach your placement, sit your evaluation or access your account. Our work is study support within WGU's academic integrity rules, with free revisions and a full refund if late.

Prepare for Your Final Evaluation

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does D722 affect licensure?

WGU says successful completion is a crucial step because it determines eligibility for licensure as a professional educator.

What do sessions cover?

Professional growth opportunities, ethical decision making and self-care.

What does the evaluation assess?

Relevance and cultural engagement of activities, effectiveness for each student, ability to analyze and adjust, and willingness to explore new materials.

Is D722 the same as D742?

The title is the same. Use your degree plan's code.

Do I need a development plan?

Some WGU programs list one; check your course page.

Can you guarantee a pass?

No. We provide study support only.