Professional Experience Policies and Procedures

Faculty of Education Policy on Professional Practice

The Faculty of Education Policy on Professional Practice is  covers the procedures for all professional experience subjects and programs in pre-service courses for Primary, Early Childhood and Secondary Teachers. This policy is currently under revision and will be available soon.

Exemption from Professional Experience

Students who are able to demonstrate current (within last 4 years) and significant classroom teaching experience in a setting appropriate to their course of study, may apply for exemption from Professional Experience placements. All students must demonstrate teaching in at least two different schools to gain full exemption. Students wishing to discuss possible exemption should fill out this form and email it to the Director of the Professonal Experience Unit.

Teaching Practice Assessment Process

Each course has a set of criteria based broadly on the NSW Institute of Teachers Standards Framework which are used for assessing each placement, but all placements are graded as Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory based on a comprehensive Assessment Report. It is essential that you familiarise yourself with the process and the assessment requirements, in order that you may benefit from the evaluative and reflective process inherent in assessment.

Formative Assessment

Preservice teachers who do not receive visits from a university appointed supervisor are required to submit a report at the end of each week of their (block) program (see the 'Information for all students' section of this site). These reports are for your benefit as well as for assessment purposes as they are designed to assist you to focus on your achievements and learning each week. These students will be contacted by a member of university staff to discuss learning and teaching targets. This mentor will also discuss the student's progress with the associate/class teacher.

Each preservice teacher will receive a mid-session report, outlining her/his strengths and areas for attention. It is highly advisable that you discuss this report with the Associate/Class teacher to ensure there is a shared understanding of issues to be addressed.

Summative Assessment

Preservice final assessment is determined by the associate/class teacher in consultation with University staff and the preservice teacher, who should take an active role in the decision making process. If any person involved in the assessment process is dissatisfied then they should seek advice from their campus Professional Experience staff. All contact details are available on the Contact Us page.

Sample copies of assessment profiles are available in the handbook, while copies of the assessment Overview for each program can be found with your course material on this web site.

Withdrawal from Professional Experience

In the event a student withdraws from a Professional Experience program either before or after the commencement of the program, please contact staff at CSU immediately.

Failure on Professional Experience

Extract from Academic progress regulations in the CSU Handbook.
Please note the professional experience components for your course (and the associated subjects) are regarded as an indicator of your professional suitability. A failure in the professional experience component will mean that you have not met an essential element of the Academic Progress Regulations. Should you fail the professional experience component of this subject you may be excluded from your course. If you are unsuccessful in your appeal you will be prevented from studying subjects in your course for up to three years, and you will be required to re-apply for admission to the course because continuation after exclusion is not automatic. Should you experience any difficulties in the professional experience component of this subject and/or you have been identified as being 'at risk', it is strongly recommended that you immediately seek additional assistance and advice from your Associate Teacher, the School Principal or delegated member of staff, University staff and/or the Director, Professional Experience on your home campus. For more information, see the Faculty of Education Policy on Professional Practice (in revision).

Follow-up Processes for Unsuccessful Placement

The following document contains details of procedures to be undertaken if a student fails to satisfactorily complete a placement: Follow-up Processes for Unsuccessful Placement 

Child Protection Requirements

Pre-service teachers completing their placement allocations must ensure that they comply with the working with children legislation requirements of the State/Country of where their placement is occurring. Pre-service teachers must provide evidence to the Professional Experience Office, that they have applied/met the legislation requirements of the relevant State/Country, in order for placement to be confirmed. Please note that a full police check can take an extended period of time, so you should commence the process early to prevent timing problems.

The Australian Institute of Family Studies provides useful information and links relevant to the Australian States and Territories. If the State/Country you are completing your placement in does not require a WWCC or similar please advise the Professional Experience Office so that placement organisation is not unnecessarily delayed.

Child Protection Task

This is a mandatory task to be completed before you commence your first site-based placement, irrespective of the site in which you are going to be working with young people.

This must be submitted and marked before you submit your application for a placement.

Occupational Health & Safety Policy