Guidelines and Policies for Field Experience
Provision for field experience prior to actual student teaching is an increasingly important aspect of teacher training. We believe that it is important to offer our certification candidates a wide variety of opportunities to work with teachers and pupils in an on-site setting.
The following guidelines and policies specify roles, responsibilities, and expectations for all parties. They serve to clarify important issues that can surface in the course of institutional/individual cooperation. Since these guidelines cannot address all possible questions or contingencies, please feel free to contact the Greenville University School of Education at any time if you need further clarification.
I. University
1. The School of Education at Greenville University shall provide adequate preparation for all students prior to requesting placement for any pre-student teaching clinical experience. Such preparation shall include – but not be restricted to - classes specifically designed to convey information and policies for tutoring experience, distribution of pertinent written guidelines, and individual conferences.
2. A representative of the Greenville University School of Education faculty will respond to all school/teacher requests for information, clarification, or adjudication if questions or problems should arise in regard to clinical practice, field experience placement, or a particular Greenville University teacher candidate. The university representative will travel to the clinical site whenever appropriate.
3. The School of Education and the instruction to candidates will meet all school policies, regulations, and restrictions governing clinical experiences.
4. No more than one candidate should be placed in a classroom setting at any one time.
5. The university has the right and professional obligation to terminate a candidate’s assignment with cause at any time.
6. The university has not established and does not follow policies or procedures that intentionally or unintentionally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or irrelevant condition of disability.
II. School – Mentoring/Cooperating Teachers
1. The school will ensure that placements are made only with certified, qualified school faculty.
2. The mentoring/cooperating teacher shall provide candidates with opportunities to tutor and work in classes pertinent to the Greenville University student’s specific certification program and subject/discipline concentration(s).
3. The mentoring/cooperating teacher agrees to structure tutoring and work settings so that observation and supervision can occur. The Greenville University candidate should have opportunities to observe on-going class activities.
4. The mentoring/cooperating teacher shall have the final determination in specifying which class(es) and pupils shall be tutored and assisted, and which skills or topics of the curriculum will be addressed.
5. The mentoring/cooperating teacher agrees to submit an evaluation form (provided by Greenville University) to the School of Education. This form includes a time validation statement.
6. The school agrees with the university policy with respect to the candidate’s position in the event of a strike or work stoppage. This policy requires that the teacher candidate remains neutral, and that after five days, the university reserves the right to terminate the placement and to find an alternate setting for the candidate.
7. The school has not established and does not follow policies or procedures that intentionally or unintentionally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or irrelevant condition of disability.
8. The mentoring/cooperating teacher shall notify the Director of Field Experience and Clinical Practice if the candidate is absent without notification or fails to comply with school policy.
III. Teacher Candidate
1. The Greenville University teacher candidate is responsible for fulfilling all requirements, schedules, and obligations pertinent to pre-student teaching clinical practice or field experience, whether imposed by the school, the mentoring/cooperating teacher, or the School of Education.
2. Teacher candidates will observe customary professional standards regarding promptness and dress when meeting with school personnel and pupils. Sufficient advance notice shall be given should the candidate not be able to fulfill an agreed upon tutoring arrangement (illness or extreme extenuating circumstance).
3. The candidate will obtain, complete, and submit for completion all pertinent forms and records provided by university or school personnel. He/she will assume responsibility of forwarding them to the appropriate office or individual.