Throughout their license programs, teacher candidates work with cooperating teachers and clinical supervisors to develop teaching skills as well as the dispositions toward inquiry, research, and reflection that lead to life-long professional development. Clinical experiences provide opportunities for teacher candidates to link research, theory, and practice in real-world settings. Teacher candidates are mentored to meet the needs of diverse students and develop the skills to interact with students and colleagues, which we hold to be the essence of effective teaching.
Field Experiences (Pre-Student Teaching)
Field experiences are specified by each license program and are typically attached to a University course. Field experiences are shorter than student teaching experiences and typically involve fewer responsibilities by the candidate than expected during student teaching. Field experiences may take place in a classroom, across the whole school, or non- school based education settings. Examples of activities that may take place during field experiences include:
- Structured or open-ended observations
- Case study of a student
- Teach a mini-lesson approved by the University instructor and classroom teacher
- Complete informal assessments as part of a course project
- Participate in ongoing teaching activities as a support or tutor
A candidate for initial or dual licensure must have a variety of field experiences which must include at least 100 school-based hours prior to student teaching that provide opportunities to apply and demonstrate competency of professional dispositions and the required skills and knowledge under part 8710.2000. The 100 hours includes experience with students who differ in race, ethnicity, home language, and socioeconomic status; AND must include experience with students with a range of exceptionalities and on IEPs.
Student Teaching (Practicum for Additional Licensure Candidates)
Program Expectations
Each license program will have specific expectations of the student teaching or practicum experience. Generally, all programs will expect a focus on planning, instruction, and assessment of student learning. The teacher candidate is responsible for completing all program expectations.
Supervision
The teacher candidate receives supervisory visits throughout the semester. The number of observations and triad meetings depend on the type of license sought. Each observation must include actionable feedback to ensure growth and attainment of standards.
PELSB required minimum observations and triad meetings:
- For initial candidates (including Tier 2 teacher candidates), provide and document a minimum of four observations and three triad meetings with the cooperating teacher, supervisor, and candidate during the student teaching placement.
- For candidates seeking more than one professional license simultaneously, provide and document a minimum of five observations with at least one observation per placement and four triad meetings with at least one triad meeting per placement with the cooperating teacher, supervisor, and candidate.
- For candidates who have completed licensure via portfolio or a state-approved initial licensure teacher preparation program, and are seeking an additional license or endorsement, provide and document a minimum of two observations and one triad with the cooperating teacher, supervisors, and candidate.
The clinical supervisor completes the college-wide required key assessments during observations including a minimum of two of the Dispositions Assessment (pre and final) and the Skills of Teaching Observation Tool (STOT).
Length of Placement(s)
For Initial Licensure:
Candidates in approved programs must complete a minimum of 12 full-time weeks, or the equivalent number of weeks where the candidate is participating in at least 80 percent of the contracted school week. Placements must be face-to-face, aligned to the scope and content of the licensure field sought, and split into no more than two placements where each placement is with a continuous group of students and for continuous weeks in alignment with the school calendar and day.
For Dual Licensure (two initial licensure programs):
Candidates in approved programs must complete a minimum of 14 weeks or the equivalent number of weeks where the candidate is participating in at least 80 percent of the contracted school week. Placements must be face-to-face, aligned to the scope and content of each license and endorsement sought and is split into no more than two placements where each placement is a minimum of two weeks or the equivalent, with a continuous group of students and for continuous weeks in alignment with the school calendar and day;
For Additional Licensure:
Candidates in approved programs must complete a practicum experience that addresses any gaps in prior experience (as identified by program) and that aligns to the scope and content of the license or endorsement sought and is a minimum of 80 hours with a continuous group of students