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Whitehall-Coplay School District

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Student Teaching & Internship Procedure

Process for Placements-Student Teaching, Internships, and Field Experience 

Whitehall-Coplay School District is excited to partner with local colleges and universities to provide student teaching opportunities, counseling internships, and field experiences. All placement requests are centralized through our Department of Personnel, please follow the four steps listed below:

Step 1-Partnership/Affiliation Agreement 

  • First priority: a formal partnership agreement between the college/university and Whitehall-Coplay School District. “Affiliation Agreements” must be approved by the school board. Once approved, the agreement typically remains valid 1-5 years (usually yearly automatic renewal, with a 90 day termination clause if either party wishes to end the partnership). 
  • If inquiring about an existing Affiliation Agreement email wcsdhrquestions@whitehallcoplay.org

Step 2-Official Placement Requests

  • Twice a year our existing affiliate schools are automatically sent an email with information to submit placement requests for the Fall and Spring Semesters. 
  • For placement request inquiries email wcsdhrquestions@whitehallcoplay.org

(a Google Form will be sent to affiliate schools.)

  • Information needed includes: Candidate’s name, email, name of college or university, type of placement (observation, student teaching, etc.), grade levels/content area, start and end dates, required number of hours, and any other pertinent information.

Step 3-Required Paperwork- Must be submitted to the Department of Personnel

  • Observations and Field Experience under 10 hours- Basic Clearances valid within 1 year
  • Act 34 PA State Police Criminal Background Check
  • Act 151 Child Abuse Clearance
  • FBI  Federal Fingerprint Criminal Record
  • Act 24 Form completed, signed and dated
  • Practicum, Student Teaching and Field Experience over 10 hours- Basic Clearances valid within 1 year.
  • Act 34 PA State Police Criminal Background Check
  • Act 151 Child Abuse Clearance
  • FBI  Federal Fingerprint Criminal Record
  • Act 24 Form completed, signed and dated
  • Health form-including emergency contact information (college entrance physical can be used to satisfy this requirement)
  • Negative TB Test (valid within 6 months)
  • Act 126 Mandated Reporter Child Abuse Training Certificate (completed within 5 years) 
  • Job Shadowing- Available to current High School Students for 1 day, no clearances are required. Must be present with an adult at all times. 

Step 4-Confirmation

  • Placement arrangements are made with cooperating teachers by Personnel and are approved by the building principal. An email with placement details will be sent to the candidate, college/university field coordinator/director, building secretary, and cooperating teacher to confirm the placement.