Policy Regarding Physical Fitness The Illinois School Code requires that all adults in schools must be physically healthy. The Code [105 ILCS 5/24] reads as follows: “Employee” means any employee of a school district, a student teacher, an employee of a contractor that provides services to students or in schools, or any other individual subject to the requirements.” Practicum students must also meet this requirement. “School boards shall require of new employees’ evidence of physical fitness to perform duties assigned and freedom from communicable disease. Such evidence shall consist of a physical examination by a physician licensed in Illinois or any other state to practice medicine and surgery in all of its branches, an advanced practice nurse who has a written collaborative agreement with a collaborating physician that authorizes the advanced practice nurse to perform health examinations, or by a physician assistant who has been delegated the authority to perform health examinations by his or her supervising physician not more than 90 days preceding time of presentation to the boards, and the cost of such examination shall rest with the employee.” Policy Regarding Grades of “C” or Lower in Practicum Courses Candidates who receive a grade of “C” in Practicum I or II will not be permitted to enroll in advanced coursework or field experiences. Candidates must contact the Elementary Program Chair to determine their future in the MAT Program. Candidates will meet with their Program Chair and course instructor to determine a plan of action; this may require re-taking the Practicum course or receiving a support plan stipulating actions for future success in the program. The Illinois Board of Education (ISBE) does not accept grades of “D” or “F” in any classes required for the teaching license. A grade of “D” or “F” indicates that a candidate cannot continue in the MAT program without a review and support plan meeting. This decision is communicated to the academic advisor and all Elementary program faculty, the Dean’s office, and the Registrar’s Office. Policy Regarding Grades of “C” or Lower in Methods Courses If a grade of ‘C’ or lower is received in any methods class, candidates are required to schedule a meeting with the Program Chair. Candidates may invite any instructors who can contribute information to the record in order to provide evidence that candidates are ready to student teach. Evidence can also be provided from other methods classes. Candidates may be required to retake a methods class with a grade of ‘C” before continuing in the program. As previously noted, grades of ‘D or F’ in coursework will not be accepted by ISBE and must be retaken prior to moving forward in the program. If admission to student teaching is denied, a student may petition the NCE Academic Policies Committee.
18 / MAT Elementary Education Handbook
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