Eastern Kentucky University Student Teaching

College of Education Office of Professional Laboratory Experiences

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

• When and how do I apply for student teaching?

 

      Teacher Education candidates apply for student teaching the semester prior to the one in which they plan to complete student teaching.  Look for the STUDENT TEACHING APPLICATION link on the home page of the Office of Professional Laboratory Experiences.  When you apply, you will need your EKU ID and a copy of your current CARES (or transcript).  You will be allowed to provide your first three choices for placement, including district, school, and teacher(s).  At the end of the form there is a link to additional forms you will need to print:  The Criminal Background Check, the Medical Form and the TB skin test results form.  Once you submit your form, an e-mail will be sent to your advisor who must approve your application.

 

• What are the requirements for admission to student teaching?

 

1. You must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program

2. You must have completed all teacher education requirements including methods coursework.

3. Elementary and middle grades majors must have completed all emphasis area coursework

4. Secondary education majors must complete at least 80% of their major and have 12 hours or less remaining in their program other than student teaching.

5. Elementary and middle grades majors may complete general education coursework that is not part of the emphasis or general studies for teacher education after the student teaching semester.

6. Undergraduate students may not take another course during student teaching (with the exception of ESE 490 or the Honor’s Seminar).

7.  You must pass the portfolio interview for admission to student teaching (conducted by the methods instructor(s)) to be fully admitted to student teaching

8. You must meet the minimum GPA requirements as stated in the catalog

 

• Where am I allowed to complete student teaching

 

      Student teachers are placed in public school districts that are in EKU’s service region.  These include (but are not limited to) Madison, Clark, Estill, Jackson, Rockcastle, Pulaski, Lincoln, Garrard, Boyle, Fayette, Jessamine, Bourbon, Montgomery, Whitley.  Students may also be placed in Jefferson County.  Other county placements depend on the availability of a qualified supervisor as well as cooperating teachers in the area.  Special education placements are made in programs that best demonstrate the services and instruction for the specific population.

 

        Secondary Teaching majors are usually not placed in the high schools they attended.

 

        You may not be assigned to a school in which an immediate family member is a student or employee.

                   

The EKU Teacher Education Program is committed to the preparation of P-12 teachers and education support personnel who meet the requirements and standards established by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board.  These standards and requirements are aligned with Kentucky’s New Teacher Standards and Kentucky’s Program of Studies for grades K-12, including the Commonwealth Accountability Testing System.  Therefore, the EKU Teacher Education Program does not allow student teaching placements outside of Kentucky, except for candidates enrolled in the Special Education Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teaching program.  Candidates who have extreme personal situations (for example, relocation of a spouse) that require them to live outside of Kentucky during the student teaching semester must apply to the COE Field Experiences Committee for a waiver of this policy.

 

Letters Requesting the waiver should be addressed to the College of Education Field Experiences Committee, c/o the Director of Professional Laboratory Experiences, 425 Bert Combs Building, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY 40475-3102

 

Appeals to the committee’s decision must be made to the Chairs and Directors of the College of Education then to the Dean of the College of Education.  The Dean’s decision is final.

 

• What is the student teaching schedule?

 

      The student teaching schedule will be posted in the Professional Laboratory Website prior to the end of the semester.

 

      All student teachers usually meet for the orientation meeting on the first day of classes at EKU.  Student teaching will begin on the second day of classes for elementary, middle grades, and special education majors.  All undergraduate secondary teaching majors (P-12, 5-12, and 8-12) will take ESE 490 for the first two weeks of the semester.  ESE 490 class schedules will be posted in the Blackboard site for the class.

 

      While there may be 3 – 4 seminars on the EKU campus during the semester, student teachers otherwise follow the school district’s schedule and not EKU’s schedule. (This applies to Thanksgiving Break, Spring Break, and other holidays.).  Model Laboratory School follows EKU’s schedule regarding holidays and spring break.

 

      The last day of student teaching is usually the Thursday of Final Exam Week.

 

• When and how can I find out my placement?

 

 Come to or call the PLE office during final exam week.

 

• How do I register for student teaching?

 

      You will receive a letter from the PLE office that will inform you of the registration process and notify you of any items you need to complete.  In the letter you will be provided with the Course and CRN in which you should enroll.  We promise that the student teaching sections will not fill up and that you will be able to register in a timely manner.  However, please be patient!  This process takes time.  Please be patient!

 

      The PLE staff will review your application for student teaching and your CARES report.  Make sure your CARES reflects any recent changes in your program! You will be notified by e-mail if there are any concerns regarding your admission to student teaching.

 

      If you plan to graduate the semester you complete student teaching, you must also apply for graduation.  Elementary and middle grades majors apply in the Office of Teacher Admissions and Certification (423 Combs).  Secondary majors apply in the Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Technology, or the College of Health Sciences, according to your major.

 

•  What documents must I submit to the Office of Professional Laboratory Experiences?

 

1. TB skin test results (The EKU Infirmary will conduct this test for you at no cost).

2. Medical Check-up Report

3. Criminal Background Check

 

• Where are these forms found?

 

              On the last page of the on-line application - you must print these!

 

• What is the Criminal Background Check and how do I complete it?

 

     Student teachers must secure a current criminal background check according to state law, and it is also required for first year teachers in Kentucky.  This must be processed with the school district office where you will be doing your first (or only) placement of your student teaching.  (If you have recently served as a substitute teacher you may have a current and appropriate background check.  (Fayette placements pick up the fingerprint form in 425 Combs). All districts will not accept another district’s background check, however.  Please check with the district you are requesting as your first choice.  You may begin this process as soon as you file your application for student teaching.

 

•  Is it possible to fail student teaching?

 

      Student Teaching is a Pass/Fail course, but the candidate will receive a detailed evaluation completed by the cooperating teacher and the university supervisor.  The final evaluation forms will provide more details about your knowledge, skills, and dispositions for teaching.  You will want to include the final evaluation(s) in your professional portfolio to share with potential employers.

 

      It is possible to fail student teaching.  The good news is that EKU’s teacher education candidates are very well prepared for student teaching and very few candidates do not complete student teaching successfully.  However, it is possible to extend the student teaching assignment for one or more days, to assign a grade of incomplete (I) and complete the placement during the next semester, or to repeat the entire semester.

 

•  When do I take the PRAXIS tests?

 

      EKU teacher education candidates must take all required PRAXIS tests prior to graduation.  Each candidate must pass the required tests in order to receive the Statement of Eligibility for a Kentucky Teaching Certificate. 

 

      A representative of the Teacher Education Admissions and Certification Office will review PRAXIS requirements during methods classes.  Most undergraduates will take the content area PRAXIS test during the semester they complete methods.  Most undergraduates do not take the PLT until the semester they complete student teaching. 

 

       MAT candidates must complete at least one content area PRAXIS prior to admission to the MAT program and must take and pass the PLT in order to receive any Kentucky Teaching Certificate (including a temporary, provisional certificate.

 

      The Office of Teacher Education and Certification website provides information about the PRAXIS exams, registration, and study guide resources.

 

 How do I find out about teacher certification?

 

      A representative of the Office of Teacher Education Admissions and Certification will meet with all student teachers during the orientation meeting and again at the final seminar to explain the process and have you complete the necessary forms.

 

 

Last updated 1/30/08