Field Experience - Methods/Block

Block is a combination of method courses with a three week field experience in preparation for student teaching the following semester.  Placement is assigned by the Office of Field Services.

NOTE: Successful completion of block, student teaching and internship requires communication skills sufficient for entry level in to the profession.  If communication skills are not sufficient , as determined by the Speech, Language, and Hearing Screening,  remediation through the Speech and Hearing Clinic may be required.

All students enrolled in methods/block must complete the following forms prior to beginning the actual classroom field experience:

• Praxis - Pass all Praxis I tests before beginning the methods/block experience. For more information about these tests, visit the web page.

• Checklist of Requirements  – This document lists all forms, etc., needed prior to the methods/block.

• FBI Clearance (click here) information is now available.  Please read the ENTIRE document as the procedures and directions are very specific.

• Clearances – Act 33 & 34 - These clearances are valid for one year. They must be valid throughout the student teaching semester.

  • Act 33 Abuse Check Form (PDF)

  • Act 34 Criminal Record Check Form (PDF)

Now you can access your Criminal History Clearance online through the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP):

1. On the PSP webpage, under “Online Services”, click “Criminal History Request”. This moves you to the PATCH system page.

2. Scroll down the PATCH System page to the bottom and click “Go to the PATCH Application Website”.

3. A Security Alert will come up. Please click “OK”.

4. ON this page below where it says, “Welcome to Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History”, please click “Submit a New Record Check”.

5. On this page, please review the “Terms and Conditions for the use of PATCH”. Scroll to the bottom of the page. Here, by clicking the “Accept” button, you will move into the page to begin the process. If you click “Decline” you cannot go further and get your clearances online.

6. On the “Personal Information” page beside “Reason For Request:”, click on the down arrow. Then click on “Education Act 34”.

7. From this point you will need to move through the remaining pages as directed to pay for and receive your clearance printout.

You will receive the clearance printout after the application has been completed online unless there is a need for extensive research by the PSP. A debit or credit card is required for payment for each clearance request.

• Confidentiality Statement (Word) (PDF)

• Letter of Introduction Form (Word) (PDF): It is the responsibility of the student to complete this form and bring it to the Office of Field Services at the beginning of the methods/block semester.

• Mantoux (TB) Test Form (School Personnel Health Record Form now includes the TB form - click here): This test is valid for two years. It must be valid throughout the semester. This test MUST be completed through the Keeling Health Center. The Center schedules this test for education majors once each semester. Please contact the OFS and watch for signs on campus for the dates to schedule for this test near the beginning of each semester.  New information about your TB test - Important - click here.

• Physical Examination Form (School Personnel Health Record Form - click here): This physical is valid for one year. It must be valid throughout the semester. This physical MUST be completed through the Keeling Health Center. The form can be printed from the Keeling Health Center web. The Center schedules these physicals for education majors once each semester when the student signs up for the Mantoux Test. Please contact the OFS and watch for signs on campus for the schedule dates near the beginning of each semester.

• Liability Insurance: This insurance is required prior to the beginning of the actual classroom field experience. This coverage can be obtained through personal insurance or by purchasing insurance through one of the following professional associations – PSEA, ACEI, NAEYC. The liability requirement coverage is $1,000,000.

                                     >PSEA Application - http://www.psea.org/topic.cfm?SID=14
                                     >ACEI Application - http://www.acei.org
                                     >NAEYC Application - http://www.naeyc.org/

 NEW - Student Educator Professional Liability Insurance through the Forrest T. Jones Company, insurers of professionals in many professional organizations.  Check out their member list and their website at http://www.ftj.com/TIE/pages/plstudfeatures.asp .  You may be a member of one or more of their professional associations.  Then you can get $1,000,000 liability coverage for only $15.

• Health Insurance: This insurance is preferred but not required prior to the beginning of the actual classroom field experience. If the district or agency requires this coverage, the student will need to have it. Most students already have health coverage during their college experience. If a student needs this coverage, information can be obtained through the OFS or at the Keeling Health Center. The University endorses the Consolidated Health Plan. A complete review of the health plan coverage can be reviewed at www.chpstudent.com or by calling (800) 633-7867.

General Information for all Block Students:

Extended Field Experience Program for Methods/Block Students (formerly known as Cooperative Field Experience) Extended block is an extension of the regular block experience.  Students will be in the classroom longer than the standard three weeks and will be placed in the same school for student teaching.  Here are the forms to use for Extended Block - click here.  To use these forms, copy and paste the form components you need into a Word document.  Complete the form.  Then either email the form to dpatterson@clarion.edu or fax it to the OFS at 814-393-2426.

Early Childhood Lesson Plan Format - This is the lesson plan format to be used for Early Childhood lesson plans.

Instructional Strategies and Management Lesson Plan Format - This is the lesson plan format to be used during the Instructional Strategies, Block, and Student Teaching.

Action Research Process  - This is the suggested process for those who choose to complete action research during the methods/block and/or student teaching experiences.  For information related to the process for a specific major, please contact your University Supervisor and/or your methods/block professor.

Block/Student Teacher Parking Permit (Word) (PDF) - Residence Hall students on block or who are student teaching face a unique problem regarding parking on campus. To help alleviate these problems and to promote the academic mission of the University, Public Safety is introducing “Student Teacher” permits beginning this fall. For details regarding this permit, please click on the file format above. For questions or to inquire about a student teacher permit, contact  Public Safety by calling 393-2111.

Pennsylvania Department of Education link to Title 22 and Chapter 235, “Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators”. Please review this information prior to and throughout the field experience to further develop your own professionalism.

Certain majors have separate requirements. Visit the sites below to view more information:

• Supervision Expectations for Elementary Block Students - This information is given to all elementary education block students before they enter their classroom field placements during the block semester. The Block professors will review this information with the students when they discuss professionalism in the field.  The Elementary Education Block Evaluation Form is how students will be assessed during the experience.  

• Early Childhood (ECH) Block Information: ECH majors have additional requirements and documents.

• Special Education Block Information (Word) (PDF)

• Secondary Education Methods Evaluation Form (Word) (PDF)

Attention:  **It is NOT TOO EARLY to think about your applications to school districts!  Take some time to prepare your professional portfolio and documents:   For help, visit the Career Services website: http://www.clarion.edu/career/