FIELD EXPERIENCE AGREEMENT between
ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY, RUSSELLVILLE,
ARKANSAS
and
Name of School District
It is hereby agreed between the Name of School District
and Arkansas Tech University that these two institutions will collaborate in a
program of teacher education involving varying levels of pre-service field
experiences for teacher candidates enrolled in professional studies at Arkansas
Tech University. This agreement is of a
continuing nature, subject to termination by either party upon proper
notification. The nature of the
agreement is such that notice of termination shall be considered appropriate if
it is in writing and effective at the beginning of the semester subsequent to
the notice. This agreement shall be
reviewed each year, prior to August 1, to determine those modifications in
general policies and understandings, and the responsibilities of the agencies
involved which are necessary for the operation of the next academic year.
GENERAL POLICIES AND UNDERSTANDINGS
1.
The underlying
purpose and intent of this agreement is concerned primarily with the
advancement of the profession of teaching.
2.
The University
has no pre-determined intent to modify the public school organization
concerned, its administration, staff, curriculum, or procedures for operation,
as these are determined by district personnel and boards of education.
3.
The field site
accepts the teacher education program of the University and undertakes to
cooperate fully in its development and application.
4.
The selection
of mentor teachers to supervise teacher candidates in field experiences shall
be the joint responsibility of the administrative officers of both
institutions.
5.
Assignment of
teacher candidates shall be the joint responsibility of the University and the
designated field site personnel.
6.
Teacher
candidates assigned to the field site for internship or other pre-service field
experiences will be expected to conform to all regulations of the University
that apply to student activities on the ATU campus and to adhere to all
standards of professional conduct which the field site may have determined for
its own staff.
7.
Any questions
involving conflict of interests are to be resolved by the administrative
officers of the two institutions in harmony with the policies stated above.
8.
The internship
program shall be evaluated each year under the direction of the Director of
Teacher Education Student Services and the designated field site personnel with
the intent of improving the internship program.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE UNIVERSITY
1.
To collaborate
with the administrative staff of the field site in the selection of mentor
teachers for supervision of teacher candidates.
2.
To remove or
reassign any teacher candidate whose work is judged by the mentor teacher to
jeopardize student learning in the classroom.
3.
To define in
detail the experiences that may be provided to teacher candidates.
4.
To provide
professional materials and assistance to mentor teachers appropriate to the
task of fulfilling their responsibilities for guiding the growth and evaluation
of teacher candidates.
5.
To provide
every possible assistance to the school system in its general in-service
training program.
6.
To observe the
calendar of the host school during the internship experience.
7.
To have ATU faculty
on site, or recall the intern, within 24 hours in case of problems.
1.
To collaborate
with the ATU Director of Teacher Education Student Services in the selection of
mentor teachers with the following minimum qualifications:
·
are fully
certified in the appropriate content field;
·
have a minimum
of three years of teaching experience with at least one semester in the current
position;;
·
have no more
than three different preparations exclusive of activity courses (applies to
secondary mentor teachers only);
and,
additionally for internship assignment,
·
are qualified mentors having completed Pathwise training who will provide a high quality educational
model and who will have an interest in participating in a teacher preparation
program.
2.
To host the
teacher candidate in internship for a duration of at least 12 weeks.
3.
To accommodate
internship for K-12 licensure in art, music, and physical education with
assignments in at least
two of the three levels of licensure (PK-4, Middle Level,
Secondary).
4.
To seek
approval of the building principal, the mentor teacher, and the Director of
Teacher Education Student Services in making changes in the original placement
of an intern.
5.
To make all
classes and extra-class activities under the direction of a designated mentor
teacher(s) available to teacher candidates; at no time, are teacher
candidates to be expected to assume responsibility for classes or other school
activities not under the direction of the mentor teacher(s) or without
the supervision of the mentor teacher(s).
6.
To make all
instructional materials and facilities normally provided for assigned classes
available to teacher candidates.
7.
To provide
time, place, and facilities for conferences of mentor teachers, teacher
candidates, and University supervisors for planning, evaluating, and otherwise
directing the work of teacher candidates.
8.
To encourage a
mentor teacher(s) to participate in continuing professional activities that
will contribute to their effectiveness as mentors.
SIGNATURE OF SCHOOL
REPRESENTATIVE: __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________ ___________________________________
(TITLE) (DATE)
__________________________________________________ ___________________________________
(Director of Teacher
Education Student Services) (DATE)
Arkansas Tech University