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Courses that Require Field Observation (FO) & Teaching Practicum
Students enrolled in EDF2005 Introduction to The Teaching Profession and EDF2085 Introduction to Diversity for Educators are required to complete 15 hours of Field Observation for each course. Students enrolled in EPI0950 Teaching Methods Practicum are required to complete a minimum of 60 hours of Practicum.
The purpose of Field Observation is to provide meaningful learning experiences for pre-service educators in accordance with state mandated guidelines for teacher preparation. Students should have an opportunity to:
- Observe best practices and techniques for effective classroom management
- Connect theory with practice
- Obtain assistance in career decisions
- Develop personal skills and values
Students can complete their field observation / teaching practicum through a variety of ways. Public school, charter school, and private school settings are available, as well as placement opportunities in the surrounding counties. Students may select the venue that works the best for them.
If you have questions about the field observation (FO) assignment requirements or Practicum assignment requirements, please consult with your professor. Questions about the observation placement process should be directed to your professor.
Students enrolled in the EPI0950 course, please visit EPI0950 Teaching Methods Practicum Information and contact the Program Director Dr. Jamie Beth Leeder at the Educator Preparation Institute for additional information.
The school placement process requires all field observation, practicum students, including private/charter school students, to submit a placement request. The Online Placement School Request Form links are provided by September for the fall term and by January for the spring term. This includes Charter and Private School student placement requests. For the current spring term 2025 link, see below.
For Practicum Students only: We have an affiliation agreement with St. Lucie Public Schools for students enrolled in EPI0950 to complete their practicum hours.
Important Updates
Spring 2025
All field observation and practicum students will need to submit an Online Placement Request.
Students wanting placement for SDPBC practicum, SDPBC Field Observation (FO), and/or charter/private school placements must complete a Online Placement Request according to the course they are enrolled.
Online Placement Form for FO, Practicum or Charter/Private School Students
Students then submit their placement request and once the school placement is confirmed, an email will be sent to the student with the placement details.
No self-placements are allowed in Palm Beach County, Martin County or St. Lucie County public schools.
Badging & Security Process
Palm Beach County School District Process
The PBCSD no longer requires District ID Badges for Practicum and Field Observation students. View Pre-Service Student ID Requirements
Each time a practicum or field observation (FO) student visits a Palm Beach County Public School, they will use the Raptor* to sign in. Raptor will print out a new sticker (badge) for each visit and students must display their Palm Beach State College ID to identify them as a Pre-Service Student.
*Please note students are required to show a government issued photo ID
Charter/Private/Out-of-County Process
These placements are secured by the student and a Permission Memo which must be completed and signed by both the student and school principal/director. Students must obtain permission from the school and all placement locations must be approved by your instructor prior to beginning observation. EDF2005, EDF2085 and EPI0950 students are required to complete a Permission Memo and have the school complete the bottom portion. The student must email a copy of the completed and signed Permission Memo to their professor. Please note EPI students are required to be placed with a Clinical Educator (CE) in the subject area(s) on their Temporary Certificate or SOE for at least 60 hours during non-instructional time. Charter, private and out-of-county public schools may have separate security and badge requirements.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please visit the appropriate web page to learn more: