Policies & Procedures
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- Faculty of Education Policy on Professional Practice
- Recognition of Professional Experience
- Failure on Professional Experience
- Teaching Practice Assessment Process
- Withdrawal from Professional Experience
- Child Protection Requirements for Interstate Practicum
- Child protection Policies
- Occupational Health & Safety Policy
- Professional Experience Pregnancy Policy
- Accident Insurance
- NSW DET Code of Conduct
Faculty of Education Policy on Professional Practice
The Faculty of Education Policy on Professional Practice was developed by the Sub Dean Professional Experience and the Directors, Professional Experience Co-ordinators from each School in the Faculty of Education at Charles Sturt University and approved and evaluated in an ongoing manner since March 2004. The policy covers the procedures for all professional experience subjects and programs in pre-service courses for Primary, Early Childhood and Secondary Teachers. There may be some variations in nomenclature based on the variety of settings in which preservice teachers are placed.
Recognition of Professional Experience
Students who are able to demonstrate current and significant classroom experience in a setting appropriate to their course of study, may apply for exemption from Professional Experience subjects. All students must demonstrate teaching in at least two different schools to gain full exemption. Students wishing to discuss possible exemption should contact the Sub Dean Professional Experience with the information requested in this form. [DOC 34Kb]
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 Generic Forms. 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 through Contacts on the Communicate link.
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.
Child Protection Requirements for Interstate Practicum
Pre-service teachers completing their placement allocations outside of NSW 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.