SECTION III:  Problem Solving and Evaluation Procedures

Problem Solving Process

Most problems which arise between the cooperating teacher and the intern are resolved through daily conferences.  The following process should be followed if the problem cannot be resolved:

1.  Either the intern or the cooperating teacher should:
2.  
3. Have a conference with the university program area supervisor to discuss the issues.
4. Develop a plan to resolve problems.
5. Communicate the plan to the principal and to all involved parties.
6. Work the plan and document progress.
7.  
8. If the problem continues, the principal and the university supervisor confer with input from

the cooperating teacher and/or the intern to determine the next steps.  After this meeting, one of the following alternatives will be initiated:

1. The intern is removed from the assignment and reassigned within the school or the

            school system.               

1. The intern is removed immediately from clinical practice in that school system.

c)   The intern is removed immediately from the clinical practice internship.

1. If the intern is not satisfied with the decision, he/she may appeal to a committee composed of the Associate Director of Professional Education, Dr. Chris Ormsbee; the Coordinator of Clinical Practice, Price Brown; and the Program Area Coordinator.

Evaluation of the Intern

The evaluation of the clinical practice internship will be ongoing. The cooperating teacher should evaluate the clinical practice performance at least weekly. Secondary programs use an assessment that is specific to the content area in addition to the OSU clinical practice evaluation form. The cooperating teacher must submit an online assessment with a formative evaluation of the intern at mid-term and the end of the clinical practice.  The cooperating teacher’s evaluation provides valuable input that will be used in determining the intern’s final grade. Promptness in returning the evaluation is important, as evaluations received after the cut-off date for submission of grades are of little value to university supervisors. Since interns are aware of the evaluation form and the evaluation process, the cooperating teacher should involve the intern when completing the mid-term and final evaluation forms.

Employment Recommendation

Candidates will frequently request a letter of recommendation from their cooperating teacher which will become part of the candidate’s credential or placement file.  While OSU does not maintain a credential or placement file, candidates are encouraged to maintain their own files and/or utilize an online clearinghouse at www.referencenow.com .  If the cooperating teacher feels she/he can provide such letters, we encourage him/her to do so.  However, the cooperating teacher is not required to provide such letters.

Certificates for Professional Development

Upon receipt of the completed candidate final evaluation, OSU will issue a Certificate for Professional Development to the cooperating teacher as a token of appreciation for his/her service. This certificate can be applied to tuition fees for residence credit enrollments as well as outreach enrollments at OSU, OSU/Tulsa, and OSU/Oklahoma City.  The specific policies and procedures for using the certificate are given below.

Although the Certificate for Professional Development is issued to the cooperating teacher, some
school districts have elected the "banking" method, whereby all of the Certificates for Professional Development are sent to the district office.  In this method, the cooperating teacher of record is given first option to use the certificate.  If the cooperating teacher chooses not to use the certificate, it can be transferred to another teacher/administrator within the same school district.  However, the cooperating teacher and the superintendent of the school district must sign the back of the certificate signifying approval of the transfer, before it can be transferred to another certified teacher/administrator in the system.  The "banking" approach has many advantages for the school district, since the district can ensure the utilization of certificates before the expiration date.

Procedures and Policies for use of Certificates for Professional Development

This certificate provides a tuition waiver for the continuing professional development of a certified teacher, counselor, or administrator who has rendered services to the OSU Professional Education Program.

A certificate may be redeemed by a certified teacher, counselor, or administrator only.  The cooperating teacher of record can transfer the certificate to another teacher or administrator within the cooperating teacher of record’s school district with the approval of the superintendent. Certificates cannot be sold by the cooperating teacher. Please refer to Oklahoma State University’s Policy number 3-0362.9, Reporting and Taxability of Assistantships, Fellowships, Scholarships, Fee Waivers and Other Payments to Students. Should the cooperating teacher choose not to redeem the certificate, it must be redeemed by another district employee following all Oklahoma State University and district procedures. Certificates cannot be redeemed by employees of other districts; relatives of cooperating teachers cannot use the teacher’s certificates.  Both the cooperating teacher of record and the superintendent must sign the certificate if it is being transferred.  The certificate must be used during the semester in which the coursework is completed.  The maximum credit hour value of each certificate is three hours. Certificates expire after 18 months. No more than six hours may be redeemed by one person during any one semester or summer session.  Certificates pay for tuition only for resident, outreach, semester-based independent study or OSU-Tulsa courses.  Year long independent study courses do not qualify for this waiver.  It does not cover optional or required fees such as Health Service, Student Union, Colvin Center, books, materials, etc.

Residence Credit Enrollment:  To redeem a certificate, the teacher/administrator must submit it to the Office of Professional Education no later than the Friday before the first day of classes of the Fall, Spring, and Summer Semesters. Certificates can be mailed to Brenda Brown, Administrative Assistant, Clinical Practice, Office of Professional Education, 325 Willard, OSU, Stillwater, OK 74078-0431.  If questions, please contact her at 405-744-9432 or brenda.brown@okstate.edu.  Please include the teacher/ administrator's name, CWID number, course number [i.e.:  CIED 6000], and semester in which the teacher/administrator is enrolled.  If a certificate is redeemed after the first day of classes of any semester, the teacher/administrator will be responsible for all late fees.  University regulations require that if a tuition statement is not paid in full by the deadline, finance charges will be applied to the original balance of the tuition statement.  Note:  The certificate does not cover tuition for courses from which the teacher/administrator drops or withdraws.

OSU-Tulsa and OSU-Oklahoma City Universities Credit Enrollment:  Certificates for Professional Development can be applied to courses offered by OSU at OSU/Tulsa and OSU/OKC. Certificates cannot be applied to courses offered by any other institution.  The certificate must be turned in to the OSU/Tulsa or OSU/OKC Office at the time of enrollment.

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