Early Field Experiences
The Office of Early Field Experiences secures almost 1200 off-campus field placements each semester. The office works with approximately 80 schools and 600 teachers within a 60 mile radius of Bloomington. Early Field Experiences are designed to provide college students with an opportunity to examine the daily lives of teachers.
IU students observe teachers and are expected to participate in kindergarten through high school classrooms in a variety of ways. At the introductory level, students grade homework, give tests, lead small reading groups, and work one--one with children. As students advance through their academic course of study, they design and deliver lesson plans and develop classroom management strategies. It is our hope that these experiences will cement a student's decision and commitment to become a teacher. If you would like to know more about the services provided by the office, please feel free to explore this web page and/or send an e-mail to Tyna Hunnicutt.
Please choose from the menu below, or use the sidebar to the left to find out more:
Criminal History Check Information:
As schools continue to review their policies for criminal history checks, students in field experiences and student teaching will be required, at minimum, to provide a criminal history check to their placement school that is updated annually. For student teaching, please check with your placement school to verify their requirements. Certified Background is a service being provided to students to allow them to purchase the required background checks for MCCSC (nationwide and multiple county level) and other placement school corporations. The results are posted to a secure site by Certified Background that can be accessed by students and the organization. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know. If you have a criminal history you will need to submit a letter to your placement school requesting that the schools still consider you for placement. Some schools will not allow anyone with a criminal offense or arrest (other than a traffic ticket) to work in their school buildings and some will require additional criminal background checks. We will do our best to assist you, however, we cannot be responsible for disruptions in your program due to the decisions of schools regarding your placement.
How to obtain the required nationwide sex and violent offender check and multi-county criminal check for student teaching or field experience:
1. Go to www.CertifiedBackground.com and click on “Students”
2. In the Package Code box, enter package code: NI57 or NI57R if this is an annual recheck
3. Select a method of payment: Visa, MasterCard or money order. (The check will cost $30.00 and a re-check is $25)
Once your order is submitted, you will receive a password via email to view and print the results of your background check. The results will be available in approximately 3 to 5 business days -- order as early as possible. Print the results and deliver them to your placement site on your first visit unless you have a criminal history. If you do not receive a confirmation email or have any issues with your order, please contact Certified Background at 1-888-666-7788. If you have a record contact our office to discuss how to deal with your placement request and delivering the results along with a letter of explanation.
For those of you who completed a criminal history check for last semester--you can return to the site and use your password to print a new copy for the next semester--since you can use a check that has been run within the past year for your field experience.
Criminal History Check procedures continue to evolve for the state and school systems. You should expect to be required to purchase criminal history checks for employment and throughout your teaching career. Criminal records may have an adverse affect on your ability to obtain employment and the state will hold a hearing to permanently revoke the license of individuals who have specific convictions--see Indiana Code 20-28-5-8.