1. ASSIGNMENTS: All assignments for student teaching are arranged by the Office of Field Placement. We make every effort to accommodate your needs; however, a student teacher will not be placed in a school district in which s/he lives or has attended. It is the policy of the School of Education, Health and Human Services to place students in a variety of districts, including a "high-needs" school, as defined and required by New York State. Students are asked not to contact schools until notified to do so by the Office of Field Placement. Credit is given only for student teaching assigned by the University through the Office of Field Placement and supervised by University faculty.

Field Placement Policies

Policy on Non-Placement in Student's Home School District

It is policy not to place student teachers or participant-observers in their home school districts. The reasons are manifold:

1. The Hofstra student is very familiar with the schools and community in the home district. Our program is intended to broaden their experiences and perspectives.
2. There are issues of confidentiality. The Hofstra student could have a neighbor's child in class.
3. When there is a placement problem, and we have to move a student, the student is often reluctant to "make waves," and wants to remain in an unacceptable setting. Such a request cannot be honored. This can result in discomfort and can leave bad feelings in the school.
4. It is difficult for the Hofstra student to make a transition from student to professional status, when viewed by the school faculty as a former student in the school.
5. Staff who may know the Hofstra student often have difficulty offering objective evaluations.
6. Teachers have expressed discomfort having residents in the faculty room, where they have informal conversations about students, parents, community.

POLICY ON REQUESTS FOR PLACEMENT OF STUDENT TEACHERS OR PARTICIPANT-OBSERVERS

When school districts make requests for particular student teachers, those requests will be honored under the following conditions:

1. The student has already completed fieldwork in a wide variety of settings, including a high needs school, as defined by New York State.
2. The request is not based on any personal relationships that the Hofstra student (or his/her family or friends) may have in the school district with central office personnel, school administrators, teachers, or parents. Such relationships can compromise objective evaluation of the Hofstra student's work, and create inequities among students in the program.
3. The request must be made in writing to the Senior Assistant Dean/Director of Field Services, on district or school letterhead, and submitted prior to completion of the placement process elsewhere. If another school district has already accepted the Hofstra student and is arranging his/her assignment, the original placement will be honored.

2. CALENDAR: During student teaching, students are expected to be present in their field placements whenever school is in session in their assigned districts. Likewise, students are expected to attend classes at Hofstra whenever the University is in session. STUDENT TEACHING MAY BE EXTENDED FOR STUDENTS WHO NEED ADDITIONAL TIME TO MEET THE EXIT STANDARDS OF THE PROGRAM.

3. TRANSPORTATION: Transportation to assigned schools and to scheduled student teaching seminars is the responsibility of the student teacher.

4. WORK: It is recommended strongly that a student not engage in part-time employment, which might interfere with carrying out the full responsibilities of student teaching. Similarly, student teachers are advised to minimize course work concurrent with student teaching.

5. WITHDRAWALS: Withdrawals from student teaching must be completed by the student teacher in accordance with University regulations, including notification of this change in status to the Office of Academic Records. Additionally, notification of withdrawal must be submitted in writing to the Office of Field Placement.

6. SEMINARS: Students attend weekly seminars with their supervisors. These seminar meetings are sharing times on subjects such as pedagogy, classroom management and discipline, resumes, job interviews, certification requirements, etc. Special New York State mandated seminars on Prevention of Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Abuse, Identification of Child Abuse and Maltreatment, Highway and School Safety Education, Prevention of Child Abduction, Fire/Arson Prevention, and SAVE Legislation are required. Arrangements to complete these seminars should be made through:

Office of Certification and Educational Support Services
129 Hagedorn Hall
516.463.5747

7. REGISTRATION: Students must observe all registration procedures designated by the University, Office of Financial and Academic Records.

8. STUDENT TEACHING GUIDE: The Office of Field Placement will provide each student with the Guide for Student Teaching.

9. REQUESTS FOR CHANGE OF PLACEMENT OR CHANGE OF SUPERVISOR: A request for a change of placement or change of supervisor may be initiated by the student teacher, the University supervisor, other University faculty members, or a cooperating teacher or administrator in the local school. The Director of Field Services will review the request with all parties involved and facilitate changes when needed.