Section 25.610  Definitions

"Clinical Experiences" means that part of the professional preparation program enabling candidates preparing for licensure to acquire practical experience along with theoretical knowledge prior to entering into the full responsibilities of the role for which they are seeking licensure.  These practical and structured experiences include pre-student teaching field experiences and student teaching and insure gradual and sequential introduction to, and eventual assumption of, the full range of experiences associated with a role for which a PEL is required.  At appropriate times the candidate shall demonstrate mastery of skills  and techniques necessary for effective performance as a beginning practitioner and to enable evaluation by qualified personnel.  The sequence of experiences brings the candidate into contact with a variety of populations and educational situations, including public school settings, encountered by practitioners.

"Clinical Practice" means student teaching or internships that provide candidates with an intensive and extensive culminating activity.  Candidates are immersed in the learning community and are provided opportunities to develop and demonstrate competence in the professional roles for which they are preparing.

"Code" means the Illinois School Code [105 ILCS 5].

"College Supervisor" means a person employed by the institution of higher education to supervise candidates engaged in clinical experiences.

"Cooperating Teacher" means a person employed by a school district directly engaged in teaching students in a school and who is immediately responsible for a student engaged in clinical experiences.

"Directed Observation" means a clinical experience involving observation of practitioners working under the direction of representatives of schools or educator preparation institutions.  This experience is planned, guided, and evaluated by a mentor or supervisor and can occur in a variety of educational settings and situations.

"Dispositions" means professional attitudes, values, and beliefs demonstrated through both verbal and nonverbal behaviors as educators interact with students, families, colleagues, and communities. 

"Field Experiences" means a variety of early and ongoing field-based opportunities in which candidates may observe, assist, tutor, instruct, or conduct research.  Field experiences may occur in off-campus settings such as schools, community centers, or homeless shelters.

"Intern Supervisor" means a person employed by a school district directly engaged in school support personnel work in a school building and who is immediately responsible for a school support personnel intern.

"Internship" means a sustained, continuous, structured, and supervised experience lasting for a substantial period of time in which the candidate engages in performance of various aspects of the role and is gradually introduced to the full range of responsibilities associated with the role. Internships take place in all types of situations and settings.  The use of internship is usually restricted to school support personnel and administrative programs.

"Practicum" means a type of clinical experience characterized by intensive work with students, in a group or one on one, which is carefully designed as part of an approved program; is supervised by a designated representative of the institution offering the program; and provides evidence that the candidate for the endorsement is able to apply the knowledge and skills relevant to that endorsement area. 

"Student Teaching" means a form of internship required for approval of educator preparation programs calling for close and competent supervision.  It entails preparation for full responsibility in an instructional setting.  In the course of the experience, the candidate shall demonstrate mastery of skills and techniques including, but not limited to, planning, organization, evaluation, parent relations, and competence in subject matter areas.  The experience is carried out under diligent and systematic supervision by college and local school personnel.

"Supervised Participation" means a wide range of experiences in which the candidate assists or engages in purposeful interaction with students and school personnel under the guidance and evaluation of qualified personnel. These experiences are carried out under continuous supervision by appropriate personnel who can appropriately modify the candidate's behavior.

(Source:  Amended at 45 Ill. Reg. 7269, effective June 3, 2021)