Student Teaching Admissions Policy

Admission Criteria

The teacher education program at Chicago State University has established critical guidelines for student teaching to ensure program integrity and to provide quality educational experiences. All students completing an initial teacher preparation program are required to student teach five full days per week for 16 weeks. To be eligible for student teaching, the student must have:

• been admitted into the College of Education;
• presented evidence of a passing result on both the Illinois Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) in basic skills or its equivalency and the Licensure Content Area Test;
• attained a minimum GPA of 2.5 (undergraduate or non-degree) which is required in the following: all course work required in the program (Program GPA); all course work in the area of specialization or concentration (with the exception of Art Education, which requires a minimum GPA of 3.0); and all course work in professional education (with the exception of Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education, which require a minimum GPA of 3.0). Higher grade point average requirements may be included in individual program listings. A 3.0 GPA is required in MAT professional education coursework;
• completed all course and departmental prerequisite requirements, including the program-specified number of preclinical field experience hours, a preclinical field practicum and/or internship, and the successful completions of an oral interview examination;
• a current tuberculosis test (PPD);
• a "cleared" background check, including fingerprint analysis (and drug testing, as appropriate);
• a signed copy of Article 21 of the Illinois School Code; and
• zero unresolved violations of the COE Professional Code of Conduct.

Student Teaching Option for Full-time Substitutes

Full-time substitute teachers enrolled in a master's degree or non-degree licensure program for initial licensure may qualify for a student teaching option in their own classroom without relinquishing their position or salary if they meet the following criteria:

• Minimum grade point average of 3.0 in each of the following areas: all course work required in the program, the area of specialization or concentration, and professional education;
• Minimum of six semesters of full-time teaching experience with total responsibility for an assigned classroom;
• Classroom assignment matching the area of licensure the semester before student teaching;
• Three positive evaluations of classroom teaching performance from current school principal and one from the campus-based internship supervisor;
• Request from school's principal for student teaching placement in current classroom; and identification of a site-based supervisor;
• Recommendations from two teaching colleagues in the school;
• Professional development outside of course work in the form of in-services, workshops, conferences, and/or membership in professional organizations;
• Portfolio of sample curriculum materials, lesson plans, and an analysis and reflection to demonstrate a meaningful impact on student learning or the learning environment;
• Passing scores on the Illinois Licensure tests: Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) in basic skills or its equivalency, Content Area and Assessment of Professional Teaching;
• Completion of 50 secondary and 50 elementary field experience hours (by students in K-12 programs only);
• Minimum of 100 field experience hours in public schools if student teaching assignment is in a private school (no field experience hours can be waived for teaching experience).

For additional information concerning student teaching or the student teaching option for fulltime substitutes, contact the Community Outreach and Field Placement (COFPS) Services unit in ED 322 or call 773/995-2392.

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