Highlighted Policies and Procedures
Absences
Practicum students/interns are expected to honor the schedule set in coordination their field-based supervisor and to adhere to that schedule consistently. Much like in the typical professional field, personal illness or emergency are generally accepted exceptions. Occasionally, students will have an opportunity to participate in a professionally relevant event, such as a conference, or job interview. All such events should be requested in advance with the field-based supervisor for approval, with a plan for making up the time developed if necessary.
Supervisors are encouraged to discuss the expected attendance policy with the practicum student/intern at the outset of the experience, and to develop a plan for notification of absences and planning make-up time, etc.
Professional Liability Insurance
Practicum students/intern are required as part of their required coursework to carry professional liability insurance, documentation of which is kept on file. If the field-based district or agency requires proof of liability insurance, supervisors are encouraged to discuss this with the practicum student/intern at the outset of the experience, to ask for proper documentation.
Termination or Removal of a Practicum Student/Intern
The University of Wisconsin-Stout recognizes the right of the cooperating school district and the university to terminate a student's professional placement without notice, if necessary. A practicum student/intern may be immediately removed when the continued participation in the experience is determined by the school district or university supervisor(s) to adversely affect the pupils served, the university student, the participating school or agency, or the University. If the practicum student/intern is not meeting the minimum requirements of the experience but not requiring immediate removal as determined by the field-based supervisor(s) and the university supervisor, the practicum student/intern may be consulted prior to a decision regarding termination. Whenever possible, the practicum student/intern will be provided an opportunity to remediate deficiencies prior to a termination decision. If possible, the School of Education's Coordinating Chair is to be consulted prior to a termination.
In the event that removal of a practicum student/intern is deemed warranted by the field placement, the following procedures are recommended:
- Consultation concerning the removal of a practicum student/intern takes place between the coordinating teacher and/or school principal and the field-based supervisor. The university supervisor is notified of their decision.
- The university supervisor notifies the practicum student/intern of the impending removal from student teaching/internship and the reason.
- The university supervisor notifies the School of Education's Coordinating Chair. The School of Education's Coordinating Chair provides written notification to the student and to the Coordinator of Field Experiences.
- A practicum student/intern who is terminated for cause receives a failing grade.
The removal of a practicum student, when initiated by the university placement, includes the following procedures.
- Consultation concerning the removal of a practicum student/intern takes place between the university supervisor, the coordinator of field-based experiences, and the field-based supervisor.