GWYNEDD MERCY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GRADUATE AND

WYNEDD MERCY UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

THIS IS AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN WATTSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT AND PARTICIPATING

COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES CONCERNING COOPERATIVE EFFORTS INVOLVING STUDENT TEACHERS AND

FIELD PLACEMENT STUDENTS.

1. S

cope of the Agreement. This Agreement shall set forth the responsibilities and rights of the Wattsburg

Area School District (referred to as the School District), of Gwynedd Mercy University (referred to as th

niversity), and any student enrolled at the University, such student to be assigned as a student teacher in

the School District or an observer in the School District. For ease of reference, the following words sh

all

have the following meanings:

• “

Student Teacher” shall mean a University student enrolled at the University and assigned by it to teach

in the School District, as part of his/her preparation to enter the teaching profession.

• “Cooperating Teacher” shall mean an employee of the School District to whom a student teacher or

practicum student is assigned for a specific in-school field placement.

• “University Supervisor” shall mean the University employee (or designee) responsible to supervise the

wynedd Mercy University student during their field placement and to serve as liaison to the

cooperating teacher and the LEA.

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lacement of Student Teachers. The placement process shall be a cooperative effort involving both the

University and the School District. However, the University shall initiate the placement of the students.

equests for Field Placement assignments will be made in writing and forwarded to the appropriate school

district personnel.

• T

eachers are eligible to serve as Cooperating Teachers if they hold the PA Instruction II certificate in the

subject area pursued by the student, and if they have had a minimum of three (3) years of successful

teaching experience as reflected on the PDE-430.

• Assignment of School of Graduate and Professional Studies students in a Field Placement shall be made

by the School District. Such assignments shall be made based upon the school district human resources

department practices.

3. C

alendar. Students shall be required to comply with the calendar of the School District and the daily

schedule of the individual school in which the experience will be completed. Any deviation from said

schedule or calendar shall be approved by the Cooperating Teacher, Principal and the University Supervisor.

4. P

rofessional Standards. Both parties to this agreement have a right and an obligation to insist on standards

of professional decorum on the part of Field Placement Students. The standards must be consistent with

prevailing standards and as per the PA Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators.

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either party shall discriminate in the choice of schools, University Supervisors, Cooperating Teachers,

or Field Placement students on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, age or gender. Nor shall

For Review

such opportunity be denied on the grounds that the University student is blind, deaf, or physically

disabled in some manner, provided he/she is capable of performing the responsibilities of the

assignment.

5. Student Teacher Supervision. Students shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the School District

and under the direction and governance of the Cooperating Teacher, Principal, and other administrative

personnel, while on the premises of the School District or acting on behalf of the School District in locations

other than the premises. The following points have specific reference to the various types of supervisory

responsibility:

• Students may not be compensated for any responsibilities which constitute all or part of the required

field experience program.

• Cooperating Teachers shall file such reports as are prescribed by the University: PDE-430 documents;

lesson observations; surveys.

• The University Supervisor shall have access, at all reasonable times, to visit the classroom(s) to which

the student is assigned for the purpose of observation, providing feedback, and supervision.

6. Termination or Change of Assignments. Either the School District or the University may, at any time,

change or terminate the assignment of any Student Teacher. Before a change or termination, parties shall

consult and determine the outcome.

8. Honorarium for Student Teaching Cooperating Teacher. An honorarium in the form of a voucher to cover

the tuition of a three (3) credit graduate course shall be given to the Cooperating Teacher by the University,

at the conclusion of the full-time, Student Teaching practicum.

9. Final Grade. The final academic grade for a student teacher will be determined by the University Supervisor

with input from the Cooperating Teacher.

10. Miscellaneous Provision. This agreement may be terminated either by the School District or the University

based upon just cause. Such termination will be communicated between the University Director of Field

Placements and the school district field placement designee.

Executed July 20, 2020 Executed ______________20___

By: ______________________________________ By: ______________________________________

Superintendent, Director, or Designee Dean, School of Graduate and Professional Studies

Gwynedd Mercy University

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