Middle Grades Preparation Field Placements

Field Placement in Schools Policy

All field placements, including student teaching, are arranged by the Office of Clinical Experiences and Candidate Services with collaboration from the Student Teaching Coordinator and Department Chairperson. Student teaching placements occur in public schools Students are not to solicit placements. While students' needs are considered in assigning placements, no particular placement can be guaranteed. All placements are within one hour of the university. Transportation to and from field placements and student teaching is the responsibility of the individual student.

Teacher candidates must have their tuberculosis screening results, plus criminal background, child abuse, and FBI fingerprinting clearances for MGP 220, MAT 352, MAT 353, EDR 318, SCE 330, MGP 335, and MGP 410/411. Candidates must provide the originals and a copy of valid clearances when out in the field (with an issue date no earlier than one year prior to the last day the semester in which the course is taken). Receipts will not be accepted. Candidates must renew clearances annually to ensure validity. Candidates are required to scan their updated clearances by the dates provided (see emails, CESW website, and CESW social media for deadline and process). Students are required to adhere to email announcements and postings regarding scanning, or clearance procedures as they are updated each semester. Failure to scan current clearances by the deadline will result in candidates being dropped from the roster of field courses.

Candidates complete field experiences in four levels during their program. 

LEVEL I: OBSERVATION 

Candidates are required to complete approximately 10 observation hours in the Level I field course. Candidates are to adhere to the instructions and policies of EDP course faculty to identify appropriate observation videos. 

  • EDP 201: Young Adolescent/Adolescent Development and Learning Theories 

LEVEL II: EXPLORATION 

Candidates are placed by the instructor in two different middle level classrooms (grades 4-6 and grades 7-8). Candidates assist the teacher, learn the procedures of the classroom, work with small groups of students, and teach a minimum of one lesson in each placement. 

  • MGP 220: Field Experiences in the Middle-Level Environment 

LEVEL III: PRE STUDENT TEACHING 

As an integral part of methods courses in the four content areas, candidates are placed in grades 4-8 classrooms to instruct middle level students. Candidates must enroll concurrently in ERM 354 with another level 3 field course. Students should refer to the pacing guide for suggested sequence of courses, and pairing of field courses.

  • SCE 330: Science Methods for Middle Level Education  
  • ERM 354: Assessment for Learning—Middle Grades (must be taken with another level III field course)
  • MAT 352: Methods for Teaching Children Mathematics or MAT 353: Methods for Teaching Middle School Mathematics
  • MGP 335: Teaching Social Studies in Middle Grades
  • EDR 318: Reading Instruction and Practicum (6 credits)

LEVEL IV: STUDENT TEACHING  

Approval for Student Teaching

Student teaching is the culminating experience of the educator preparation program. Candidates must complete student teacher applications via the program's assessment system (Anthology) one year before the semester in which they intend to teach. 

Candidates must apply through the Office of Clinical Experiences and Candidate Services for approval for student teaching placements. All candidates must meet the following criteria in order to student teach:  

  • Achieved Teacher Candidacy 
    • Have earned final passing grades, in all professional preparation requirements as indicated in the degree guidance sheet,
    • Earned the required credits per program (see program guidance sheet) prior to the student teaching experience, including all professional educational courses and all specialized preparation courses with necessary grade prerequisites, with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or above
  • Completed the following forms:  
    • Student teaching application (must be submitted within one full year prior to the academic semester in which student teaching is to be scheduled).
    • See CESW policy below.
    • PA Child Abuse History Certification
    • Criminal Record Check-PA State Police 
    • FBI Background Fingerprinting Check 
    • TB testing.  
  • Registered as they would for any other University courses. 
  • Attended a student teaching pre-registration meeting one year prior to student teaching. (The Office of Clinical Experiences and Candidate Services will notify students of preregistration meetings.)
  • See department webpage and/or handbook for specific programmatic requirements. 

To be eligible to complete a student teaching experience, candidates (undergraduates and post-baccalaureates) must have: 

  • Completed the prerequisite course requirements, 
  • Met the grade point average (3.0) or higher,
      • Pennsylvania’s Chapter 354 and therefore, the PA Department of Education, requires a 3.0 for candidacy. However, those with a 2.8 or above may be conditionally admitted. Please contact the Office of Clinical Experiences and Candidate Services for questions.
  • Satisfied the requirements for Teacher Candidacy.

All candidates for certification must take  all required licensure tests prior to student teaching. Please review all testing information for specific details regarding the testing requirements for your area of certification. 

See program listings and advising sheets for specifics and any additional program requirements. Candidates should contact their departments for specific requirements.

Candidates are assigned a student teaching placement in schools with which the University has a formal agreement. 

Policies Applicable to Student Teaching

  1. Candidates who fail to meet the minimum cumulative GPA necessary for student teaching must take courses under the guidance of their advisor to achieve the required GPA.
  2. All West Chester University Middle Grades Preparation majors must complete the full twelve (12) credits of student teaching.
  3. The Coordinator of Field Experiences will make every reasonable attempt to provide candidates with varied field placements (rural, urban, suburban).
  4. Conditions under which the Department of Early and Middle Grades Education will allow candidates to take an additional course during student teaching.
    1. Minimum 3.0 GPA
    2. All professional education and specialized methods courses must be taken before student teaching. Exception: MGP 400 Classroom Management ad Engagement or MAT 390 may be completed concurrently with student teaching.
    3. A general education or elective course is acceptable with the approval of the Department Chairperson or Coordinator of Student Teaching.
    4. A candidate may take no more than three (3) additional credits while student teaching.  

Policies related to Student Teaching 

Fall Student Teaching Placement

Candidates seeking to student teach during the fall semester should submit all appropriate information no later than *February 15th of the previous academic semester. Completed applications submitted on or before this date will have priority over incomplete or late applications. We encourage candidates to submit their applications as early as possible to ensure a placement within a school district:

  • Attend the Pre-Registration meeting one year in advance (previous fall semester)
  • February 1st - Submit the student teaching application
  • February 15th - Completed applications are submitted to school districts

Late applications or those that were returned because they were incomplete can be submitted no later than *February 23rd to be considered for student teaching in the fall semester.

  • Applications not completed by this date will not be considered for student teaching during the fall semester.
Spring Student Teaching Placement

Candidates seeking to student teach during the spring semester should submit all appropriate information no later than *September 15th of the previous academic semester. Completed applications submitted on or before this date will have priority over incomplete or late applications (see below). We encourage candidates to submit their applications as early as possible to ensure a placement within a school district:

  • Attend the Pre-Registration meeting one year in advance (previous spring semester)
  • July 1st - Submit the student teaching application
  • September 15th - Completed applications are submitted to school districts

Late applications or those that were returned because they were incomplete can be submitted no later than *September 23rd to be considered for student teaching in the spring semester.

  • Applications not completed by this date will not be considered for student teaching during the spring semester.

*If  this date falls on the weekend, the completed application is due the following work day.

    1. A candidate may take no more than three (3) additional credits while student teaching.