Disqualification of Teacher Candidates During Student Teaching
In some cases, Student Teachers may struggle to meet TPEs. In these cases, the University Supervisor will consult with the Cooperating Teacher to determine next steps. The University Supervisor will determine whether or not these struggling Student Teachers will continue in their student teaching placements under more frequent supervision and guidance or if Student Teachers should be disqualified from the program.
For Student Teachers who deserve a continuance, written recommendations and plans for improvement will be provided for them. Basically, an individualized educational plan will be created for them. Student Teachers will be given an opportunity to remedy any deficiencies. If these Student Teachers fail to meet their designated goals in a specific timeframe, they will not be allowed to progress in the program.
Student Teachers are guests of the school site at which they are student teaching. As such, Cooperating Teachers may terminate their commitment at any time; Cooperating Teachers are responsible for their TK-12 students and in cases in which hosting struggling Student Teachers takes away from serving students, Cooperating Teachers have the option to re-focus their priorities back on their students. Furthermore, the school administrator may, at any time, also exercise the prerogative of requesting that certain Student Teachers be relieved of student teaching responsibilities. Such cases will result in a “No Credit” final grade.
The option of another placement is based on the recommendations of the University Supervisor, Cooperating Teacher, and/or Dean. This option is also based on the availability of alternative placements. It may be necessary for struggling Student Teachers to repeat the term or to terminate his/her participation in the credential program.
Disqualified Student Teachers may choose to petition the Student Academic Progress Committee for consideration to return to the credential program in cases in which a “No Credit” grade is issued and/or in cases in which the Team Leader does not support an opportunity for repeating student teaching.