Field Experiences and Clinical Practice

The unit and its school partners design, implement, and evaluate field experiences and clinical practice so that teacher candidates and other school professionals develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions necessary to help all students learn.

Field experiences and clinical practice continue to be a critical component of the professional programs at SSU that allow our candidates to develop their skills and evince the performance expectations and professional dispositions we consider essential to our candidates’ success as educators. All of the basic and advanced credential and degree programs in the SOE provide multiple opportunities to develop and apply pedagogical, content, and instructional knowledge in field settings.

Since our last NCATE visit, two major changes have substantively impacted the field placements and clinical practice in our initial programs.  First, in 2008-2009 the Multiple Subject and Single Subject Programs piloted and then fully implemented in fall 2009, a state-mandated teacher performance assessment (Performance Assessment for California Teachers -PACT).  This assessment occurs during the candidates’ clinical practice. Our school partners have been invaluable members of the implementation and evaluation team for this assessment.  Second, the initial Education Specialist Program has been redesigned to meet new state standards with significant changes to the delivery of field experiences and clinical practice.  As well, the advanced Education Specialist credential program is being phased out.