Professional Experience Handbook: Section 3

Academic Progress Regulations

Should a teacher education student experience any difficulties in the professional experience component of any subject and/or be identified as being "at risk", the Student Placement Support and Review Process (SPSRP) will be instigated

Procedure Defined

The SPSRP is intended to alert a Teacher Education Student (TES) that his/her performance needs to improve. Supervising Teachers (ST) are to place TES on the review process earlier rather than later only to find that problems are continuing at an unsatisfactory level later in the stages of the professional experience placement.

Process Described

This process should be instigated prior to or no later than the mid placement review; however the TES can be placed at risk of failure at any time during the placement.

If the TES is placed on the SPSRP during the first week of placement, the school/service may decide in consultation with the University Liaison Officer (ULO)/ Professional Experience Liaison Officer (PELO) and Workplace Learning Coordinator (WPLC) to extend the placement by up to 2 weeks, to enable the TES to attain a satisfactory result. If the TES has not reached an acceptable standard after the completion of the additional time, the TES will receive an Unsatisfactory (US) Grade.

If the TES is placed on the SPSRP in the final week of placement, the school/service may decide in consultation with the ULO/PELO and WPLC to extend the placement by up to 2 weeks or to terminate the placement.  If the latter occurs, the TES will receive a US Grade.

Procedure Outlined

1. The ST liaises with the ULO to determine if the TES should be placed on the SPSRP.
2. The ST and the ULO meet with the TES.
3. The TES is notified by the ST that there are areas of significant concern and the Notification of Concern is then compiled and lodged.
4. The ST, ULO and TES complete the Developmental Support Plan. The TES is expected to make immediate and sustained improvement as outlined in the DSP.
5. If the DSP is successful, the SC will receive the final report through EASTS, and a grade of SY will be awarded.
6. If the DSP is not successful, the SC will receive the final report through EASTS and a grade of US will be awarded.
7. In the case where the TES is awarded a US they will be requested to provide written documentation of no more than 1 page to outline the reasons for the unsuccessful placement.

Awarding an Unsatisfactory Grade

A TES can receive an Unsatisfactory Grade when:

1. Difficulties continue after appropriate support has been provided and the DSP is not met or the TES is withdrawn from the placement; or
2. The TES displays unacceptable professional behaviour; or
3. The ST or ULO are advised the children/students at the service/school are adversely affected by the TES behaviour/teaching ability.

Immediate termination of Placement Process

1. A school/service has the right to terminate a placement at any time.
2. This can for example be the result of misconduct and can occur without the SPSRP being followed or any warning being given to the TES. In this case, a US grade will be awarded.

Review of Grade

A student can request a review of grade in line with the Charles Sturt Assessment Policy.

In circumstances where an unsuccessful DSP or Immediate Termination has taken place, the Deputy Dean will assess and review grades for professional experience placement subjects.