Assignment of Teacher Candidates/Placement Considerations

The Office of Clinical Experiences seeks placements that meet both program expectations and state licensing board requirements. Students often have questions about the placement process. There are many factors that influence a placement opportunity, including location, partnership with district, capacity and availability of licensed teachers, and interest in hosting.

Candidates are not permitted to seek their own placements. All placements are arranged and confirmed by the Office of Clinical Experiences.

• Field Experience: within 30 miles/45 minute commute
• Student Teaching: within 50 miles/60 minute commute
• For student teaching: candidates are not placed in their home school district (where they graduated from) or in a school with close personal ties.
• Requests for Placement Changes: OCE works hard to secure placements that align with all necessary requirements. This may result in a placement that is different from a candidate expectation or request. Placement changes are rare and discouraged unless there are significant unforeseen circumstances to a placement.
  • In cases where a student is removed from a student teaching placement for reasons unrelated to the student’s dispositions or performance, all efforts will be made to secure a new placement as quickly as possible.
  • Students removed from student teaching for dispositional or performance reasons will follow the process for growth plans and counseling out policy. Students will not be offered a new placement during the semester they were removed; new placement arrangements will begin the next semester.
  • Students who withdraw from a student teaching placement will follow the process for growth plans and counseling out policy. Students who withdraw from a placement either from their choice for performance/dispositional reasons will not be offered a new placement during the semester they were removed. New placement arrangements will begin the next semester.

Student Teaching Requirements/Responsibilities

During the student teaching semester, teacher candidates are responsible for all requirements and expectations of classroom teaching. This includes participating in planning, instruction, assessment, professional growth and dispositions, and parent/family school engagement.

• Planning: Candidates are expected to provide approved lesson plans for all observed lessons (total of 6 for University Supervisor, 6 for Cooperating Teacher) as part of the CPAST observation process. Lessons must be submitted to observer (CT and/or University Supervisor) at least 2 days prior to the teaching of the lesson. Adjust lesson plan based on feedback with the guidance of your Cooperating Teacher and/or Supervisor. Having lessons prepared well in advance will help to reduce anxiety as well as build confidence within your triad and classroom.
• Classroom Instruction and Assessment: Candidates are expected to support classroom instruction in both partnership and lead instructor roles. The amount of full time teaching required is based on your licensure program; expect at least 25% of total time in your placement to be full time teaching responsibilities.
• Teaching Assessment: Candidates are expected to participate in all CPAST assessments and observational protocols with the University Supervisor and Cooperating Teacher. Initial Licensure candidates must also complete edTPA requirements during the student teaching semester.
• Professional Growth and Dispositions: Candidates are expected to meet all expectations related to teacher professionalism, punctuality, and collegial relationships. If there are professional development opportunities during the placement, candidates participate with their Cooperating Teacher.
• Parent/Family School Engagement: Based on the Cooperating Teacher preference, candidates may participate in parent conference/family engagement activities.
• Candidate Responsibilities: Teacher Candidates are required to attend all SCSU campus activities noted on the student teaching calendar, including edTPA Writing Days, Student Teaching Orientation, and Professional Development Day. InPerson attendance is required.

InPlace Policies

All records related to field experience and student teaching placements are housed in InPlace, a web-based data management tool. All clinical placements are managed through InPlace. Students are assessed a one-time software fee of $120 and have access to their InPlace account following SCSU program completion.

Information Maintained in InPlace

• All field experience placement information, including dates, site, Cooperating Teacher, assessments
• Field Experience application and student teaching application information, including resume, introductory essay, and eligibility notes
• Student teaching placement information, including dates, site, Cooperating Teacher, assessments
• All required documents, including EdTPA permission forms, CPAST midterm and final evaluations, observations, and letters of recommendation
• Notes related to scope and field experience completion
• Growth Plans and information related to withdrawal and remediation plans.
• InPlace also utilizes information available through the SCSU student management system, including assigned advisors, address and student information, total GPA, and student enrollment specifically related to clinical experiences.

The following individuals have access to InPlace information

• Student/Primary User of Account
• All Office of Clinical Experience personnel, specifically the Director of Clinical Experiences
• Dean of the College of Education
• Chair of Program, Faculty/University Supervisors assigned to Clinical Experience Supervision
• SCSU Teacher Licensing Officer
• Other education officials within the University Institution with legitimate education interests. (The Director of Clinical Experiences determines the legitimacy of said interests)
• Parties with rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act