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Section 5

Policies and Grading

Contents:

Handbook Policies

Grading for Student Teaching


Handbook Policies


Attendance

Absences

Being absent for any reason will result in an extension of your student teaching days or withdrawal from the student teaching experience.

Excessive absences may result in termination or incomplete.

If a Student Teacher is going to miss a day, he/she/they must notify the Mentor Teacher and the Coach (University Supervisor).

Expectations

Student teachers are expected to be in school every day for their student teaching experiences, Monday - Friday during the entire school day, including teacher contract hours.

ST will follow the calendar of the respective school corporation and will honor the school districts fall/spring break and any other teacher holidays.

ST will make up missed school days. All Teacher Candidates are expected to fulfill the required number of days of their student teaching assignment.

Protesting

Participation in protests is the Student Teacher's choice. Follow non-attendance protocol, communicate with Mentor Teacher and Coach, and plan to make up the day. Student teachers act on behalf of themselves, not the School of Education or the University.

Teacher Strikes

If a strike occurs, Student Teachers should contact their Coach (University Supervisor) or the School of Education immediately, remain away from the building, and should not serve as a classroom substitute for striking teachers.

Virtual Days

During virtual school days, Student Teachers should follow Mentor Teacher protocol and perform the same work as Mentor Teachers. Personal vacations during student teaching are not permitted.

Child Abuse

You are a mandated reporter. If you have suspicions, please talk with your Mentor Teacher. Please advise your Coach (University Supervisor) of the situation. The Director of Clinical Experiences will connect with the respective school principal and/or school administrators, and the IU Safety Office. You may be asked to prepare written documentation regarding details that led to suspicion of abuse and/or neglect. In collaboration with school, contact the Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-800- 5556 as soon as possible.


Harassment

What do you do if you are harrassed or find yourself in an uncomfortable/unsafe situation?

If you find yourself in a situation where you are being harassed, or something occurs that makes you feel unsafe, it is important for you to take immediate action:

1. If the incident is a school safety issue follow school protocol to shelter, etc... and keep all safe. **If not, excuse yourself from the environment. Keep your comments short, and to the point. “Excuse me, I need to go now.”

2. As soon as you are safely out of the environment, contact your Coach, and the Office of Clinical Experiences immediately. They will advise you of what steps to take next.

3. Complete a Bias Incident Report with the SoE as appropriate.

Please see IU's Sexual Misconduct Policy and the stop sexual violence website: http://stopsexualviolence.iu.edu/


Insurance

The School of Education and the University do not carry bodily injury or property damage liability insurance on students. Students may purchase medical insurance through the University. Information can be obtained at https://studentaffairs.indianapolis.iu.edu/health/index.html.

Restrictions

Student teachers:

May not administer or witness corporal punishment. May not transport any student in their own vehicle.

May not visit students in their homes or in private.

Should always conference with students in an open, visible, and easily accessible place.

May not take unsupervised responsibility for extracurricular events or activities, including school-sponsored trips.

Substitute Teaching

Student Teachers need to alert Coaches (University Supervisors) when they are serving as substitutes. Student teachers may act as a paid substitute if the Mentor Teacher is absent, aligned with policy and placement district requirements, only after the first 10 weeks of placement.

Grading for Student Teaching

Grade Requirements to Student Teaching

If a student does not receive a grade of “C” or higher in all block courses and “satisfactory” in all field experiences, they are removed from the teacher education program. To be considered for re-instatement, the intern must file an appeal with the School of Education Academic Standards (Appeals) Committee. If granted, the intern must repeat the failed course(s), assignments, and field experience. The intern registers for the course(s) again, and previous grades remain on the transcript.

Grades

Assessment

Student teaching is graded on a S/F basis. Teacher Candidates earn a “Satisfactory” based on assessments by the Mentor Teacher and the recommendation of the Coach (University Supervisor).

Requirements include:

No scores of '1' on the Final Summary Evaluation. Completion of all assignments and requirements.

Completion and passing of the Benchmark assignment.

Eligibility for Incompletes

If student teaching is interrupted and the Student Teacher is doing satisfactory work, a grade of “I” (Incomplete) may be recorded. An arrangement with the Office of Clinical Experiences is required to remove an “Incomplete” grade.

Repeating Student Teaching

Failures

If an intern fails (F) student teaching, the intern is removed from the program and must file an appeal to be re-instated. The “Appeals” Committee will determine the conditions of re-instatement if the appeal is granted. If allowed to repeat student teaching, the intern must register for student teaching again.