Removal from a Field or Clinical Experience

A request to initiate removal of a teacher candidate from a field or clinical experience placement in an undergraduate or graduate teacher education program should be made by the KSU supervisor in consultation with the CT and the Program and/or Clinical Experience Coordinator, and Director for the Center for Clinical Experiences, Placements, and Partnerships (CEPP). Removal of a candidate from the clinical experience placement typically results from a joint decision of the Program and/or Clinical Experience Coordinator and Department Chair, in consultation with the collaborating teacher, KSU supervisor, CEPP Director, and possibly the school principal. The school principal and collaborating teacher have the ultimate discretion to request removal from the assigned placement. 

When the candidate is removed from the clinical experience placement prior to the completion of the term, the final grade assigned will be determined jointly, by the Program and/or Clinical Experience Coordinator and Department Chair. 

If a teacher candidate is removed from a placement for unsatisfactory performance, compelling cause, by personal choice, or by a school or school system, the candidate will not be assigned a new placement for that semester. The candidate may appeal this decision following the steps outlined below. Following the results of the appeal process, the candidate may submit a request to be assigned a different placement for the remainder of the term.  

A candidate may be removed from a field or clinical experience when any of the following occurs:  

  1. The appropriate school authority (i.e., school principal or CT) states that the candidate’s presence in the classroom is not in the best interest of the school’s students and/or requests that the candidate be removed. In this case, guidance will be sought from appropriate KSU administrators.
  2. The joint decision of the appropriate teacher education program coordinator and department chair in consultation with the Director of Clinical Experiences, Placements and Partnerships (CEPP), Program and/or Clinical Experience Coordinator, supervising collaborating teacher, and/or university supervisor states that the circumstances are such as to prevent either the development and/or maintenance of a satisfactory learning environment.  
  3. Unprofessional and/or unethical behavior, as defined by the Georgia PSC Code of Ethics  has been exhibited by the candidate.
  4. The candidate has not demonstrated EPP dispositions (i.e., asset-based thinking, collaboration, communication, continuous learning and improvement, integrity and ethics) in a sustained and consistent manner in class, the field, and/or in communicating with personnel and peers at KSU and/or in the field/clinical setting.  
  5. The candidate does not have an issued Pre-Service Certificate.
  6. The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) suspends or revokes the Pre-Service Certification.
  7. Medical reasons make it impossible for the candidate to remain in the classroom. Documentation from the candidate's physician is required. A “release to return to the classroom” will be required to return in a subsequent semester. Decisions pertaining to medical removal will include university administrators, program faculty, and/or health professionals as appropriate.    
  8. Not meeting the objectives by the deadlines set forth in a Professional Development Plan (PDP) focused on the field.
  9. Violating KSU student conduct/ expectations and/or other KSU policies. Such activities may include violated a law, policy, procedure rule, breaking law, PSC or KSU policies that impact candidate performance.  

While this list is thorough, it is not all inclusive. There may be additional reasons for removal from placements. 

Candidate Appeal Process  

If a teacher candidate is removed from any clinical experience placement, the candidate can appeal the removal decision.  

KSU, not the collaborating school, will be responsible for all candidate appeals of a removal decision and the assigned grades in accordance with existing university policies. Candidates may not appeal to return to the same placement site or school district.  

Request for removal from a clinical experience placement by a school or school system is a serious matter. If a candidate is removed from a placement by a school or school system, he/she/they may not be assigned to a new placement for that semester. A decision of whether a second placement for a semester should be granted will be determined by the process listed below. At each stage of the appeal process, the candidate will receive a formal letter stating the decision and available next steps in the appeal process.  

  1. Documentation of removal issues and rationale for a second placement should be completed by the Program and/or Clinical Experience Coordinator and forwarded to the CEPP for filing within one calendar year of the date of removal from the placement.  
  2. The candidate submits an appeal of the decision including the rationale for removal and what he/she/they will do to address these issues and to move forward successfully. The Program and/or Clinical Experience Coordinator indicates whether they support the appeal.
  3. The Department Academic Standing Committee and/or Department Chair review the case to determine if another attempt is warranted. Available evidence may include, but is not limited to, candidate performance on CAPs, observations, course assignments, anecdotal notes, etc. Once a department makes its decision, it should, in its written response to the candidate, let them know about their right to appeal and provide direction on the next step with the Teacher Education Council.  
  4. A formal appeal of a decision to deny admission or retention in the teacher education program may be made to the Teacher Education Appeals Board. Instructions and forms for such appeals are available in the office of the Dean of the Bagwell College of Education. An appeal must be based on exceptional and extenuating circumstances and/or other pertinent information not previously available or considered. A formal appeal must be submitted in writing to the Dean of the Bagwell College of Education within 30 days of being notified of admission or retention status. In all cases, the candidate may initiate an appeal after seeking resolution with the appropriate degree program’s Admissions and Academic Standing Committee or Department Chair or both. 
  5. The dean will transmit the appeal and charge the Teacher Education Appeals Board to review the case. The Teacher Education Appeals Board consists of the following individuals:  
    • Associate Dean for Curriculum Catalyst and Innovations
    • Director for the Center for Clinical Experiences, Placements, and Partnerships (CEPP)
    • Assistant Director of Admissions and Certification (OAA)
    • Director of Education Student Services (ESS)
    • Faculty Representative from College Faculty Council (CFC)
    • Faculty Representative from Initial Certification Program Coordinators (ICPC)
  6. The decision of the Teacher Education Appeals Board will be shared with both the candidate and Department Chair. The candidate may appeal this decision in writing within 10 business days to the Dean of the Bagwell College of Education.  
  7. If an appeal is not submitted after the 30-day period, the recommendation of the Teacher Education Appeals Board is final.  If an appeal is submitted, the Dean of the Bagwell College will make a final decision within 10 business days. 

It is important to note that removal from the field is not automatic removal from the program. After removal, the Program Coordinator will determine an appropriate period of remediation, including a Professional Development Plan (PDP) and determine readiness for re-assignment at the completion of the designated PDP. In no case will a candidate be allowed more than two attempts at a clinical experience placement.  

If a candidate is removed from the program, they cannot enter any other teacher education program at KSU. 

Process for Addressing Candidate Concerns Prior to Removal 

If feasible, the Program/ Clinical Experience Coordinator, KSU supervisor, and/or Department Chair should schedule a conference with the teacher candidate to discuss the candidate’s position and possible options prior to removal.  

The following circumstances may warrant moving a candidate to another teacher within the same school or to another school: 

  • Placement with a CT who does not have a minimum of three years of successful teaching experience, does not hold a renewable certificate in the teaching area, or is not highly qualified in the teaching area.
  • The CT becomes ill or for any reason will be absent for more than 8-10 consecutive school days or for frequent intermittent school days and the absences constitute a critical gap for the candidate.
  • Other compelling cause as determined by Program and/or Clinical Experience Coordinator, Department Chair, and KSU Supervisor. 

There are numerous supports available to candidates prior to removal from the clinical experience. If a candidate has a concern, they should follow the process outlined in the graphic below. 

Professional Development Plan

Anytime throughout a semester that a serious weakness in the teacher candidate is observed which may jeopardize the candidate's final evaluation, the CT, KSU supervisor, and program coordinator will confer and inform the candidate immediately so that steps may be taken to correct the situation as early as possible. This may result in a professional development plan for which the candidate meets agreed upon benchmarks by specific deadlines to demonstrate improvement. The Program and/or Clinical Experience Coordinator should be consulted before beginning a professional development plan and will collaboratively draft the PDP with the candidate.  

Upon successful completion of remediation, the candidate may proceed in the program, either with or without a continuation of the plan. Unsuccessful remediation might result in a new PDP, student receiving an “Unsatisfactory” in the course, etc. If it is determined that a candidate would benefit from the support of a PDP, the candidate must sign the PDP to continue in the field experience/program. Not signing the PDP indicates the decision by the candidate not to accept the opportunity for support in professional development and not to continue progressing in the program. 

A PDP is developed on a case-by-case basis based on the candidate's progression in the program and concerns expressed by the CT, KSU supervisor, and/or coordinator. Rationale for developing a PDP may include but is not limited to: 

  • Unprofessional behaviors
  • Excessive Level 1 or 2 scores on programmatic key assessments, observation instruments, and/or disposition ratings
  • Consecutive Level 1 or 2 scores on programmatic key assessments, observation instruments, and/or disposition ratings 
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