Student teaching is a culminating experience which is often identified as the most important part of the teacher education preparation program. Student teaching provides the opportunity for certification candidates to apply their knowledge of subject matter and their understanding of educational theories of learning, behavior, and instruction in teaching students with diverse needs. Student teaching places candidates in the role of a teacher; therefore, professional behaviors, conduct, and actions are required. UIUC teacher candidates are obligated to know the school district and school policies and to observe them throughout the entire student teaching experience.
Student teaching is a full-time commitment on the part of teacher candidates. Teacher candidates should not plan to take additional course work outside of their program during student teaching, nor should they plan to be employed. Any prospective teacher candidates that anticipate a need to take additional classes and/or work should discuss options with their advisor and clinical experiences program coordinator well in advance of student teaching.
Teacher candidates should consult with their university supervisor and/or clinical experiences program coordinators regarding questions, concerns, or additional clarification of the following expectations.
The following CTE expectations apply to all UIUC teacher candidates during their student teaching. Also, all UIUC teacher education candidates must comply with any other program-defined policies in addition to these listed below. In this document, the word student refers to P-12 students.
Part I: CTE Expectations for all UIUC Teacher Candidates During Student Teaching
Attendance/Absence
UIUC teacher candidates must:
- be in school every day for the full term of the assignment.
- be punctual and regular in attendance for classroom participation.
- follow the school’s calendar in relation to vacations, in-service programs, holidays, and daily starting and ending times (The school district calendar takes precedence over the UIUC calendar).
- notify their current cooperating teacher and the university supervisor in case of illness or emergency and provide materials needed to teach assigned daily lessons.
- make up missed student teaching days; if absences become excessive, the clinical experiences program coordinator, in conjunction with the university supervisor, will determine whether the student teaching period will be extended beyond the end of the UIUC semester or terminated.
- inform the cooperating teacher when the university supervisor and/or other professionals are scheduled to make a classroom visit.
Professional Conduct Respect
UIUC teacher candidates must:
- treat all students with respect.
- treat cooperating teachers and all other school personnel with respect.
- treat all Professional Education Preparation Program personnel with respect.
Confidentiality
UIUC teacher candidates must maintain the confidentiality of school-related experiences pertaining to school personnel, fellow candidates, classroom students, records, charts, and cumulative folder data, in both oral and written communications.
Professional Dress
UIUC teacher candidates must follow the dress code, whether written or unwritten, of the school. Dress with taste and appropriateness, which includes proper hygiene.
Substance Abuse
UIUC teacher candidates have the same responsibility as teachers to follow, abide by, and enforce rules against possession and consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and chemical substances.
Sexual Harassment
UIUC teacher candidates must:
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refrain from any type of romantic or sexual relationship or inappropriate behavior with students or other school personnel.
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have the same responsibility as teachers to follow, abide by, and enforce policies governing any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors, reference to gender or sexual orientation, or other physical or verbal conduct of a sexual nature.
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adhere to the school district’s anti-harassment policy.
Child Abuse
UIUC teacher candidates must:
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know the signs and roles of educators in recognizing and reporting cases of child harassment/abuse which includes physical, emotional, sexual, and/or neglect.
- follow the school district’s policies for reporting concerns and observations regarding abuse.
Corporal Punishment
UIUC teacher candidates must not administer corporal punishment nor serve as a witness to such. According to the 2002 Illinois School Code, Section ILCS 5/24-24, teachers may not engage in slapping, paddling or prolonged maintenance of students in physically painful positions, and/or in intentional infliction of bodily harm.
Internet Safety and Photographic Images
UIUC teacher candidates must follow and enforce the school district’s policies for Internet Safety and analog or digital photographs/visual images of students. These images will not be used in commercial products or sold to the public.
Part II: Teacher Candidate Common Requirements During Student Teaching
The following are CTE common requirements for UIUC teacher candidates during their student teaching experience. Candidates must comply with all other program-defined responsibilities in addition to these listed below. Educational Practice (student teaching) courses are graded S/U (satisfactory/unsatisfactory).
UIUC teacher candidates must:
1. comply with all of the CTE Expectations during student teaching.
2. satisfactorily meet expectations of the CTE Common Student Teaching Evaluation form. http://www.ed.uiuc.edu/cte click on Clinical Experiences then click on CTE Common Student Teaching Evaluation Form.
3. be familiar with the UIUC Conceptual Framework, Teaching and Learning in a Diverse Society, the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards, the Language Arts and Technology Standards for All Illinois Teachers, and appropriate Illinois content area standards.
4. complete the following administrative/record keeping responsibilities, such as but not limited to:
· submit time cards for approval by cooperating teachers and university supervisors.
· complete the midterm and final CTE Common Student Teacher Evaluation Form.
Teacher candidates must also meet all requirements of their programs to earn a satisfactory grade in student teaching. The satisfactory completion of student teaching is one of the CTE requirements for recommendation for certification. Occasionally, teacher candidates do not fulfill course requirements and should receive a grade of “U”. Typical reasons for such a grade are: 1) the candidate fails to do what is required in the student teaching experience, 2) the candidate repeatedly exercises poor personal and professional judgment which impairs effectiveness, 3) the candidate’s instructional performance remains unsatisfactory throughout the experience, and 4) the candidate is unable or unwilling to meet the time demands of student teaching. Remediation of a candidate’s weaknesses must be attempted as soon as the areas of weakness can be identified. Options for the candidate, such as extra time or an additional experience, are discussed on case-by-case basis.
For all requirements see the Common Assessment Plan (CAP) for Undergraduate Professional Education Programs Leading to Initial Certification or Common Assessment Plan (CAP) for Graduate Professional Education Programs Leading to Initial Certification (http://www.ed.uiuc.edu/cte/caps).
Part III: Additional Information
Transporting Students
UIUC teacher candidates must not:
- transport students in private vehicles.
- transport students to and from school-sanctioned activities in school vehicles unless they have been approved as a driver following the school district’s policy.
Substitute Teaching
UIUC teacher candidates must not serve as the “official” substitute teacher. If this situation occurs, the teacher candidate must notify the university supervisor as soon as possible.
Work Stoppages in Cooperating Districts
UIUC teacher candidates are to assume the role of neutral persons and to maintain an uninvolved status with respect to a work stoppage. In the event that the work stoppage continues for a week or more, the clinical experiences program coordinator may make arrangements for an extended student teaching time period, a new placement in another district, or an appropriate substitute experience.
UIUC teacher candidates:
- · shall not be required to cross picket lines or to supervise classes when such action would constitute a breaking of the work stoppage.
- · may, at their discretion, attend teachers’ association meetings, faculty meetings, school board meetings, and other gatherings concerning the work stoppage in the role of an interested observer.
- · if they choose to participate on either side of the work stoppage, such participation shall be as individuals and not as teacher education candidates, and the UIUC disclaims any liability or responsibility for any action or the consequences of any action taken by such individuals and their participation.
Removal from student teaching
Removal from student teaching can occur by request of the cooperating teacher, school administration, and/or university supervisor. Teacher candidates should share classroom concerns/problems with their university supervisor as the first line of communication. If a satisfactory resolution is not reached, the issue will be referred to the clinical experiences program coordinator of your professional education preparation program. Removal can also occur due to, but not limited to, excessive absences, inappropriate behavior or insubordination, or not meeting requirements.
Candidates removed from student teaching are not guaranteed subsequent placements. Each case is reviewed individually.
Teacher candidates may seek information on UIUC Council on Teacher Education policies regarding complaints or grievances about program admission, dismissal, evaluation of performance, or recommendation for certification at http://www.ed.uiuc.edu/cte.
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