Clinical Practice Information for Supervisors

 

 

The struggling teacher candidate is one who demonstrates performance deficiencies. This teacher candidate can usually be identified early, will likely need continued assistance, and may not be ready to manage and facilitate learning in his/her own classroom. The complete supervisory process for monitoring and accommodating struggling teacher candidates includes the following major components: identification, placement considerations, adjustments in visits and observations, facilitation of teacher candidate self-reflection, and anecdotal record-keeping. The information provided below is designed to provide more specific articulation of the expectations for supervision of the ineffective or ‘struggling’ teacher candidate.

1. The Academic Coordinator is to be notified immediately when a teacher candidate does not appear to be progressing at a rate to allow for successful completion of the Clinical Practice experience.
2. The Academic Coordinator will notify the teacher candidate, cooperating teacher, building administrator, college supervisors, and Dean of Education regarding the unsatisfactory quality of the teacher candidate’s performance.
3. Information relevant for remediation of the teacher candidate will be sought from college records and college personnel, including (but not limited to) his/her academic advisor and former instructors.
4. Unless the situation demands that the teacher candidate be removed immediately, an improvement plan will be developed that identifies areas of needed improvement and strategies for implementation.
5. The improvement plan will be developed by the cooperating teacher, in consultation with the college supervisors, Academic Coordinator, and Director of Education Services, and presented to the teacher candidate. The plan will include:
   - identification of areas where improvement is needed
   - specific strategies to implement improvement plan
   - specific outcomes desired and person responsible for validation of outcomes
   - a timeline for completion of outcomes
   - consequences of not completing the plan on time or adequately
   - date and signature of the teacher candidate and cooperating teacher
   A copy of the plan will be given to the cooperating teacher, college supervisor(s), and the WSC personnel.
6. During the period specified for demonstrating professional or classroom improvement by the teacher candidate, the college supervisor will evaluate the performance of the teacher candidate at least one full period each week. Written and oral feedback will be provided to the teacher candidate regarding his/her progress toward reaching the goals of the remediation plan. ALL interactions will be carefully documented, including major points of discussion, conclusions reached, and dates.
7. Possible outcomes from the steps outlined above are:
   - The teacher candidate may adequately meet the requirements of the improvement plan and be allowed to continue the Clinical Practice experience.
   - The teacher candidate may make significant progress toward meeting requirements, but may not complete all aspects of the plan. The Academic Coordinator may choose to either extend the experience at the same location or assign the student to a different location during the same or a subsequent semester. Should the experience extend beyond the end of the semester, an incomplete grade will be assigned until the experience is completed. Additional coursework may be required.
   - The teacher candidate may decide to voluntarily withdraw from Clinical Practice.
   - The teacher candidate’s rate of progress may remain unsatisfactory requiring the experience to be terminated. The decision to terminate will be made based on input from the cooperating teacher, college supervisors, building administrator, and Academic Coordinator. When a termination decision is made, a conference will be held with the teacher candidate. Personal or career counseling may be suggested.
   - Should the teacher candidate withdraw or be terminated from his/her Clinical Practice experience, he/she may be allowed a second chance in a subsequent semester. Pursuant to any new assignment, the teacher candidate must verify having had additional coursework and/or practical experiences in a learning environment that would increase his/her potential for success. The teacher candidate has two years from the semester of termination to attempt completion of his/her program, with the understanding that a second attempt at Clinical Practice is subject to the approval of the Dean of Education.

Download Improvement Plan Form template (PDF)

Download Improvement Plan sample (PDF)

For our Removal of a Teacher Candidate Policy, see the Policies and Procedures page.