Communication:

All potential problems/concerns should be shared by PSTS, FSs, and CTs with the instructor of record early.  

Professionalism:

Pre-service practicum teachers must maintain the highest standards of professionalism in both placement and university contexts, including meeting responsibilities on time and communicating proactively and professionally with CTs, the instructor of record, and field supervisor.

All the following should be conscientiously observed:

  • MSU’s Professional Expectations and Competencies,
  • Professional Educators of Montana Code of Ethics
  • Professional, appropriate relationships with students, including avoidance of non-academic or any personal/online contact

Responsibility:

Complete, timely, and competent fulfillment of each practicum requirement moves the pre-service practicum student ahead to subsequent responsibilities and is the only path to ensuring the candidate will be granted entrance into EDU 495 “Student Teaching.”

Assessment:

Practicum Grades are determined according to instructor syllabi.  CT performance evaluations will be considered by each instructor prior to determining the PST practicum grade. To demonstrate professional readiness for teaching, all pre-service practicum students must pass, with a “C” or better (73%), each of required elements to be considered and move forward into EDU 495 “Student Teaching.”

Absences:

Absences from placement classrooms and practicum course sessions are only excused for illness or serious emergencies.

  • Report all emergency/illness absences to the school, CT, FS, and EDP instructor of record.
  • Tardies are considered absences and must likewise be reported.
  • No non-emergency/illness absences are permitted during practicum, except as excused in advance by both the CT and instructor of record. Days must be made up.

Planning:

The Practicum Bobcat Lesson Plan (provided by the practicum instructor) is required for all formal observations prior to midterm and all five of the REP lesson plans.  

  1. PSTs must provide lesson plans for all lessons taught in the classroom to the CT 48 hours in advance.
  2. All formally observed lessons need to be provided to the field supervisor or REP observer 24 hours in advance.
  3. Lessons not formally observed should follow CT-directed planning methods, and all plans should be provided to the CT 48 hours in advance of any class taught by the PST. Co-teaching: MSU encourages both CTs and PSTs to engage in a co-teaching model

Reporting:

PSTs who witness signs of K-12 student abuse or neglect must report these observations to

  • PST reports to the teacher/administrator
  • PST reports to the director of field placement
  • Director of field placement follows up with the school administrator to ensure the matter has been reported and documents that the matter was reported to the school