Field Experiences with Diverse Populations
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Click here to check the diversity on your host school.
If you do not find the school you need on the link above, click here to request information on the diversity of a specific school.
Students in need of completing a background check in order to observe in a school can do so by using the Michigan State Police Criminal History Search. In order to run a background check, click here. Note that the agency charges a $10 fee at the time of the search. Questions regarding background checks can be directed to CSS at 774-3682.
Please note the change in the requirements for the school setting portion of the Field Experience with Diverse Populations:
The school setting categories have been reduced from three (3) categories (rural, suburban, and urban) to two (2) categories (category 1 – rural/non-urban and category 2 – urban area/urban cluster). These categories are based on community populations as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The new categories will provide more flexibility for placement of students and completion of the school setting requirement.
The field experience with diverse population’s requirement is effective for all students accepted into the program beginning in the fall of 2004.
Field Experiences with Diverse Populations
In a culture that is changing due to pressures in economics, migration of populations, and health care, there is an increased need in public education to better prepare teachers for these cultural changes in the classroom. The focus of dealing with the multiple cultural issues and ensuring a quality education has become an overriding challenge for the classroom teacher.
The faculty and staff of the Teacher Education Program of Central Michigan University have developed a plan to infuse field experiences in a variety of diverse situations for all teacher candidates. These field experiences will better prepare students for their professional careers and employment opportunities. All CMU teacher candidates must fulfill the requirements for field experiences with diverse populations.
General Guidelines
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All candidates in the teacher education program at Central Michigan University are expected to participate in learning situations and field experiences representing a wide range of diverse settings. In order to be recommended for certification, each candidate must complete their field experiences in such a way as to ensure that all the categories listed below are met. Documentation for each of the field experience criteria should be placed in the Teacher Education Candidate Portfolio. This information will be reviewed at the time of Student Teaching assignment for placement purposes. Professional Education courses within the teacher preparation program will prepare students for dealing effectively with the various field placement types identified below, as well as with other important aspects of diversity such as family structure. |
Areas of Diversity
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Race/Ethnicity Candidates will participate in a classroom setting for a minimum of 30 hours with 20% or more non-white students as the basic classroom population. A listing of appropriate sites is available on the Center for Student Services web site. www.ehs.cmich.edu/css |
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Socio-economic Status Candidates will participate in a field experience for a minimum of 30 hours in a school that has a minimum of 20% of students registered for free/reduced lunch. A listing of such sites is available on the Center for Student Services web site. www.ehs.cmich.edu/css |
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Gender Candidates are expected to participate in a classroom setting for a minimum of 30 hours where both male and female students are learners. |
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Exceptionalities Candidates will complete a field experience in a classroom for a minimum of 30 hours that is defined as inclusive. The classroom will include students identified as having a physical, mental, or emotional exceptionality, a speech/communication disorder, or as gifted or talented. |
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ESL Candidates will complete at least one field experience for a minimum of 30 hours in a school that includes English as a Second Language (ESL) student population. |
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School Setting Candidates will complete at least one field experience for a minimum of 30 hours in each of the two school settings of category 1 (rural or non-urban) and category 2 (urban area/urban cluster.) A listing of these sites is available on the Center for Student Services web site. www.ehs.cmich.edu/css |
**Check the "Field Placement List for Diverse Populations" on the Center for Student Services web site at www.ehs.cmich.edu/css for a listing of schools CMU uses for field experiences. If you have planned or have been given a field placement that is not listed on the web site, please contact the receptionist at CSS to request the school in question be added to the list.
Field Experience Opportunities
Field experience opportunities in diverse settings and populations will occur minimally in the three (3) placements of a student’s teacher preparation program. These three placements are (1) the 45-hour pre-professional experience, prior to formal admission into the Teacher Education Program; (2) the midtier placement; and (3) the student teacher placement. Other field experience opportunities within the professional education program may be possible. However, written approval is required and must be attained from the Director of Student Teaching; the Assistant Director of Professional Education; or the Midtier Coordinator.
Length of Field Experience
A minimum of 30 hours documented in a given classroom for each Area of Diversity is required to fulfill the diversity field experience.
Example:
A midtier student interns in a Mt. Pleasant elementary third grade classroom containing 20 students for 30 hours. There is a 50/50 mix of boys and girls. In addition, there are four identified learning disabled (reading) students in the classroom.
The midtier student would qualify to check-off the following diverse field experience:
-Gender -Exceptionalities -School Setting (category 2)
Documentation of Experience
The diversity field experience must be documented by the supervising classroom teacher on the appropriate form.
Pre-admission experience – 45 hours, pre-professional experience form submitted to CSS, Ronan 204
Midtier experience – Placement Verification form
Student teaching experience – Evaluation form
All experiences will be documented on the Student Information Sheet for each student in the Teacher Education Program. The student can access the Student Information Sheet at www.ehs.cmich.edu/css.
Completion of Field Experiences in Diversity
A Teacher Education student must successfully complete all field experiences in diversity as a part of fulfilling the Cycle 3 requirements. Proper documentation of field experiences will serve as the basis for successful completion if a review is required.
Faculty/Administrative Review
All issues related to diverse field experiences will be processed in the following manner:
•The student will submit a written statement and appropriate supporting documentation to the faculty member or administrator supervising the field experience in question.
•Upon submission of the written statement and related documentation, the student will make an appointment with the appropriate supervisor to discuss the issue.
The supervision for the various field experiences in diversity is as follows:
•45 hour pre-professional experience – Assistant Director of Professional Education.
•Midtier program – Midtier Coordinator
•Student Teaching – Director of Student Teaching
•The decision made within each program component is final.
**Additional information regarding field experiences with diverse populations is
available in the 2005-2006 Teacher Education Handbook on pages 28-30.