Practicum/Field Experience Manual

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1 College of Education Master of Education in Educational Administration Master of Education in Educational Leadership Practicum/Field Experience Manual

2 Table of Contents College of Education Mission Statement... 3 Disclaimer... 3 Statement of Education Philosophy Learning, Leading, Serving... 4 College of Education Learning, Leading, Serving Pledge... 4 Professional Learning Network (PLN)... 5 Fingerprint Clearance... 6 The Student as a Representative of GCU... 6 Professional Dispositions... 6 Practicum/Field Experience Expectation Violations... 7 Practicum/Field Experience... 7 Practicum/Field Experience Placement... 7 Practicum/Field Experience Definitions... 8 Student Disability Services and Special Accommodations... 8 Documentation... 9 Clinical Field Experience Verification Form Step-by-Step Directions (text)... 9 Clinical Field Experience Verification Form Step-by-Step Directions (PowerPoint) Page 2

3 College of Education Mission Statement Professional education programs at Grand Canyon University are designed to support and promote the university s mission to prepare candidates to become global citizens, critical thinkers, effective communicators, and responsible leaders from the context of GCU s Christian heritage. The College of Education inspires excellence in pedagogy and scholarship; advances reflective, innovative, and collaborative teaching practices to maximize student learning and achievement; promotes servant leadership in educational communities; and engages a diverse and global community of candidates with purpose and passion. Disclaimer Grand Canyon University s College of Education reserves the right to make changes of any nature to this manual when they are deemed necessary or desirable. This manual is for informational purposes and does not constitute a contract. The Grand Canyon University Master of Education in Educational Administration and Master of Education in Educational Leadership Practicum/Field Experience Manual does not establish a contractual relationship; rather, the manual sets forth academic and other requirements that a candidate must meet to be granted a degree and, in some circumstances, to continue to be enrolled at the university. While counselors and other Grand Canyon University personnel are available to guide the student with respect to the requirements, it is the ultimate responsibility of the candidate to fulfill the requirements. Candidates should view the Academic Catalog for college and program specific information.

Statement of Education Philosophy Learning, Leading, Serving Learning: We believe that all students can learn and that highly effective, innovative, and collaborative teaching and administration

4 Statement of Education Philosophy Learning, Leading, Serving Learning: We believe that all students can learn and that highly effective, innovative, and collaborative teaching and administration maximizes best practices as well as student learning and achievement. Effective teachers and administrators are highly educated, skilled, committed, and compassionate; they ensure all students learn to the best of their ability. Leading: We believe that education is a powerful tool with which to purposefully engage a diverse, global community. As our teacher and administrator candidates find their purpose and calling within education, they seek to lead others to reach their God-given potential in order for them to influence the changing world. Serving: The culture and Christian heritage of the University promotes a spirit of servant leadership within the College of Education's faculty, staff and candidates so they can serve people within the broader educational community. College of Education Learning, Leading, Serving Pledge In keeping with Grand Canyon University s Christian heritage, in the College of Education we find our purpose and calling in teaching, and we seek to lead others to reach their God-given potential by integrating faith into our work. We believe all students can learn and are deserving of highly effective, innovative, skilled, committed and compassionate educators who ensure that all of their students learn to the best of their abilities. Page 4

5 We believe education is a powerful tool to purposefully engage a multicultural, global community to make a difference in a changing world. We believe in the spirit of servant leadership and are committed to serving all students within our local and broader educational communities, and to leading with creativity and innovation in our profession with a commitment to personal integrity, professional ethics, collaboration, and excellence for all. As a Grand Canyon University College of Education, teacher candidate/ teacher/ educator I pledge to: 1) Enter my class as a professional educator, fully prepared every day. 2) Maximize learning for all students, inspiring them to achieve at their highest potential. 3) Approach teaching and learning for all students with the heart of a servant leader. 4) Be a culturally responsive educator, engaging with and advocating for social justice, and supporting each student and their unique learning needs. 5) Model personal integrity, professional ethics, collaboration, and excellence for all. 6) Be a lifelong learner to advance my commitment as a professional educator. This pledge is made to affirm my commitment and devotion to learning, leading and serving. Professional Learning Network (PLN) The PLN can be accessed by registering with your preferred address and permanent password at This network supports GCU s Conceptual Framework of Learning, Leading, and serving by providing a virtual space for principal candidates, Arizona teaching interns, educational administration candidates, GCU faculty supervisors, and faculty to learn, collaborate, and connect in a supportive environment working towards successful clinical practice experiences. As a participant in practicum/field experience, members are encouraged to participate in this virtual space. Engaging in this space can support you in your practicum/field experience as you strive to embody the GCU Conceptual Framework of Learning, Leading, and Serving. The PLN Navigation heading contains icons and titles to enable ease of use. Below is an overview of each page you can access: Home - From the Home Page you can quickly access document folders, links, upcoming events, PLN news, recent activity, and PLN Conduct Expectations. Resources - Provides GCU resource links, social media links, resource folders, and library discussion. Page 5

6 Education News - Provides education news as posted by the Clinical Practice group, and News Chatter posted by all users. Calendar - The Calendar provides dates of educational conferences, webinars, and GCU events. Groups - Find the Group Spaces relevant to you and join into the chat community. Here you can chat with your peers in a protected space. Discussions - This is an open dialogue space for all members of the PLN. People - This area provides profiles of each PLN member. You can find peers in your region, those studying in your program, or your GCU faculty supervisor. To get started, here are a few things you can do: Complete your personal profile Connect with Groups Post into relevant Discussions Review and comment on PLN news updates Visit Resources to obtain helpful materials and links Check the Calendar for upcoming events Fingerprint Clearance Candidates seeking an Arizona Institutional Recommendation for teaching or administrative credential must have an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card, in addition to their own state s fingerprint or background clearance documentation. Refer to the University Policy Handbook for additional information on fingerprint clearance requirements. The Student as a Representative of GCU Candidates have the responsibility of representing Grand Canyon University to the population being served in a professional manner. Our goal is for the candidate to be an exemplary professional model for Grand Canyon University; therefore, while completing the practicum, candidates must be mindful of the candidate role as a representative of the university. For more information concerning conduct and university expectations, please refer to the Grand Canyon University Policy Handbook. Professional Dispositions Dispositions are the values, commitments, and professional ethics that influence behaviors toward students, families, colleagues, and communities and that affect student learning and achievement, motivation and development, as well as the educator s own professional growth. If sincerely held, dispositions should lead to actions and patterns of professional conduct. Page 6

7 For additional information on the COE Professional Dispositions, refer to the University Policy Handbook. Practicum/Field Experience Expectation Violations Information clarifying conduct unbecoming of candidates in the College of Education can be found in the University Policy Handbook. Practicum/Field Experience Candidates are required to complete 90 hours of practicum/field experience. Nine core courses require 10 hours of embedded practicum/field experience per course. An overview of the program course sequence appears below. All practicum/field experience is mentored by qualified administrators, who monitor and coach candidates. Course Number Course Title Directed and Focused Field Hours 10 EAD-501 Education Administration: Foundation for the Developing Leader EAD-505 Education Law 10 EAD-510 Education Finance 10 EAD-513 Managing School Culture 10 EAD-520 Instructional Leadership I: Strengthening Curricular Programs to Promote Continuous School Improvement EAD-523 Developing Professional Capacity 10 EAD-530 Improving Teacher Performance and Self-efficacy 10 EAD-533 Developing and Empowering Instructional Leaders 10 EAD-536 Strategic Leadership and Management in the 10 Principalship Total Practicum/Field Experience Placement Candidates are to secure their own setting for completing practicum/ field experience hours in each course. In most cases, candidates will complete their practicum/field experience hours at the school where they are employed. If assistance is needed in securing an appropriate setting, candidates may request this from the Field Experience Counselors (FECs). If required by the district, an official letter from the candidate s Field Experience Counselor may be provided to the candidate that confirms the candidate attends GCU, the program, the current course, and the number of hours required for the practicum/field experience. The purpose of the letter is to Page 7

8 authenticate the candidate s eligibility to complete practicum/field experience requirements within their school district. The Field Experience Counselor may support the candidate in selecting appropriate placement based on the course practicum/field placement setting requirements identified in the Benchmark Assignment. Be sure sites are consistent with practicum/field experience requirements, desired skill development, and future certification or licensure criteria. Refer to the Practicum Field Experience Fact Sheet within the COE Student Success Center for information on appropriate settings. In the event the candidate cannot complete practicum/field experience hours within the designated perimeters, he or she will need to contact the course instructor for a practicum/field experience site modification. Candidates should contact their Field Experience Counselor (FECs) with any questions or concerns encountered at their site. Practicum/Field Experience Definitions Candidate: The candidate is defined as the student who is actively enrolled in a College of Education program of study who works to fulfill all field experience requirements. The role of the candidate includes observing the Principal Mentor, mastering benchmark assignment competencies, and submitting assignments that demonstrate applied learning. Principal Mentor: The Principal Mentor is the school administrator hosting the candidate. The Principal Mentor must be certified, endorsed or licensed as an administrator. The primary responsibility of the Principal Mentor is to the school and district, then to the candidate. Course Instructor: The course instructor is the university faculty member assigned to teach the course. Course instructors are responsible for implementing course assignments, as required through the curriculum, which relate to the candidate s field experience, particularly lesson planning and instructional design. Field Experience Counselor (FEC): The Field Experience Counselors supports candidates in meeting COE specific supplementary requirements throughout their program. These requirements include, but are not limited to, fingerprint clearance, testing requirements, field experiences, student teaching application, and Institutional Recommendation. In addition, the Field Experience Counselor verifies eligibility for clinical field experience, advises the candidate on field experience requirements, and communicates with candidates needing field experience assistance. The FECs will work in tandem with the candidates Student Services Counselor, and other offices on campus to facilitate completion of the candidate s program of study. Student Disability Services and Special Accommodations Candidates that require special accommodations for their practicum/field experience must register with Student Disability Services at Grand Canyon University prior to their official placement. Candidates will be required to complete the steps to accommodations, which include Page 8

9 submitting the Accommodation Request Form and providing supporting documentation of their disability. Determinations about what accommodations will be provided are based on the criteria outlined for Disability Services in the University Policy Handbook. To begin the accommodation process, you can contact the Student Disability Office as follows: Phone: Documentation As candidates progress through their field experiences, professional practices will be reviewed, formulated, and refined based on the increased development and demonstration of competencies grounded in the professional knowledge and skills of the field. This process is the essential ingredient for professional growth, as it will lead the candidate from student to professional/practitioner. Through the relationships maintained with instructors, peers, and other professionals, personal, philosophical, ethical, and theoretical beliefs will be actualized. Significant decisions and choices will be determined by the candidates analytical and behavioral approaches to the field experience. It is paramount that timely, accurate documentation of activities be maintained using the required forms and documents. Field experiences will be documented by the candidates using the Clinical Field Experience Verification Form. Refer to the syllabus for details. Completed Clinical Field Experience Verification Forms will be uploaded to LoudCloud for evaluation and the hours will be calculated into the course grade. Please note that field experiences will increase in complexity throughout the program and will require more direct interaction with students. Incomplete hours may result in up to a twenty percent deduction for a related assignment. o 0-99% completed = 20% module deduction o Candidates must complete all required practicum/field experience hours within the course timeframe. All required practicum/field experience hours not completed within the course timeframe are subject to the assignment deduction AND must be made up prior to the end of the following course. Candidates have until the end of the course to complete and submit the required hours. o Practicum/field experience hours are mutually exclusive. Candidates must complete all required hours per each course no double-dipping. o Failure to complete all practicum/field experience hours required within the program of study may result in ineligibility into the internship portions of the program. Clinical Field Experience Verification Form Step-by-Step Directions (text) Candidate should: 1. Access the Clinical Field Experience Verification Form in the documents section of the Student Portal or by checking the primary address on file. 2. Complete all required fields on the student portion of the electronic document*. Page 9

3. Submit by clicking click to sign. An email will be sent to the classroom teacher/mentor to fill out and verify the practicum/field experiences. 4.

10 3. Submit by clicking click to sign. An will be sent to the classroom teacher/mentor to fill out and verify the practicum/field experiences. 4. Communicate with the classroom teacher/mentor to request he/she verify the experience by completing this document. Once the experience has been verified by the classroom teacher/mentor, an will be sent back to the candidate s primary address on file with the final completed document. 5. Save the signed Clinical Field Experience Verification Form (pdf) and submit to LoudCloud. See instructions on Submitting Your Assignments to LoudCloud. Additional information about this process can be found on the Student Success Center. For questions contact GCU s Technical Support or your Student Services Counselor (SSC). *The data entered into this document may be audited for accuracy. Candidates who engage in fabricating, falsifying, forging, altering, or inventing information regarding field experiences and/or the log may be subject to sanctions for violating GCU academic integrity policies, which may include expulsion from GCU. Clinical Field Experience Verification Form Step-by-Step Directions (PowerPoint) Page 10

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