Guidelines for Educator Candidate Placement FAQ

Q. Why are these guidelines necessary?
A. These guidelines help ensure success for educator candidates, BSD staff and students.

Q. When do these guidelines take effect? Are these guidelines permanent? 
A. These guidelines will take effect starting in the 2025-26 school year. They’ll be revised annually with updates made as necessary.

Q. What is the process for obtaining a placement in BSD?
A. Universities must apply several months in advance, typically in the spring before the placement school year. Once the program is evaluated and accepted, both parties will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to be clear about roles and responsibilities. The process of securing agreements via MOU may take some time. Following a successful agreement and signed MOU, the university may submit placement requests. 

Requests for educator candidate placements should be sent to the Human Resources Department.

For fall placement, requests made by May 30 will have priority (later requests will be processed in late August and upon availability). 

For placements starting in January or later, requests are due by October 1 (later requests will be processed upon availability). 

All requests require a minimum of 30 calendar days before the placement starting date.

The district will place educator candidates and notify the university of a potential match. The potential cooperating teacher will interview the candidate. If the placement is accepted, BSD will communicate with the university. The university will communicate with the educator candidate. 

Q. Can candidates participate in less than full-year programs if they meet the total hour requirements?
A. Candidates must complete 600 total practicum hours, including at least two months (200+ hours) of placement with a gradual release of responsibility before assuming full teaching responsibilities.

Q. How will BSD handle requests from programs that do not meet these guidelines?
A. The university programs that fail to meet all of Beaverton’s placement requirements may present a request for special consideration. The request will be reviewed and may be approved. Factors considered will include how close the program is to the district’s and state's expectations.

Q. What does the progression of classroom responsibilities look like in practice?
A. Candidates gradually assume more classroom responsibilities as the cooperating teacher releases them over time.

Q. What are the expectations for university liaisons in terms of collaboration?
A. University liaisons must communicate with BSD’s HR Department and submit placement requests within the established timelines. Liaisons are the first point of contact with the district and for their educator candidate. 

Q. How are observation visits scheduled, and what feedback is required?
A. Observation visits are scheduled collaboratively between the university supervisor, the candidate and the cooperating teacher. Feedback is provided by the supervisor and teacher using university tools and rubrics.

Q. What support will BSD provide to universities during the placement process?
A. BSD will collaborate to identify suitable matches and ensure clear communication about the placement process and timelines.

Q. How are cooperating teachers selected?
A. Building administrators recommend interested teachers who meet the following criteria: At least three years of teaching experience with two years in BSD.

Q. Why doesn’t BSD accept short programs or placements with less than 200 hours before full teaching responsibilities?
A. Ample time in the classroom allows candidates to develop essential management and instruction skills before taking on full teaching responsibilities. Candidates must complete at least two months and at least 200 hours in the same classroom where they will assume a full teaching role. This period allows the district to assess the candidate's readiness for full-day placement and ensures both the candidate's success and the quality of education for students. BSD reserves the right to approve or deny full-day placement based on these standards.

Q. What are Oregon’s requirements for becoming a teacher?
You can find additional information online at Becoming a Teacher in Oregon.

Q. What is the process for a practicum in other non-initial teaching licenses or add-on endorsements?
A. If the placement request is in a non-initial teaching license such as counseling, speech-language pathology, school psychologist, social work, school administration or add-on endorsements, the process is as follows:.

• Placements are limited and dependent upon availability. 
• The university initiates the process and contacts BSD HR with a request to discuss agreement via MOU. 
• Once an MOU has been signed, the university can request a placement through the district designee for the placement area. 

For questions, contact the University Partnership Office at HR-Career-Pathways@beaverton.k12.or.us.

Q. How do I apply to complete my practicum in BSD? Are there specific steps I need to follow?
A. The placement request must come from your university, not directly from you. BSD uses a centralized placement process managed by its HR Department.

Q. Can I arrange an educator candidate placement with a school principal or a teacher I know?
A. No, placement requests must come through the university and BSD HR, not directly to schools or staff.

Q. What happens if my university’s program does not meet the practicum hours or observation requirements? Can exceptions be made?
A. The university can present a request for special consideration even if its programs don’t meet all of BSD’s placement requirements. Approval will depend on factors such as how close the program is to the district’s and state's expectations.

Q. Is there a limit to the number of candidates BSD accepts from my university?
A. Placements depend on the availability of qualified cooperating teachers to participate.

Q. Can I choose the school or grade level for my practicum placement?
A. You may request preferences through your university, but BSD cannot guarantee specific placements.

Q. What happens if I feel my cooperating teacher is not a good match? Can I request a change?
A. You’ll have an opportunity to meet the cooperating teacher before finalizing the placement. After the placement begins, any issues should be addressed with your university, which may request a change. Alternate placements are not guaranteed.

Q. What support will I receive from BSD during my practicum?
A. BSD provides:

• Email accounts and security access to systems such as Synergy, Google Apps and Canvas.
• Career opportunities and resources to review the BSD application and hiring process.

Q. What is the process for transitioning from a practicum to employment with BSD?
A. Educator candidates can apply for any open positions in BSD after completing their program. BSD invites educator candidates to informational events regarding the hiring process and working opportunities in Beaverton.

Q. Does BSD provide funding or financial assistance for practicum candidates?
A. Beaverton doesn’t offer financial support for most programs. Financial support may be available through universities or statewide resources. Visit Become an Oregon Educator for more information.

Q. How do I verify that my program meets BSD’s requirements?
A. Contact the university to verify if they have a current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with BSD. The district has agreements with accepted universities to ensure compliance. Most local universities recognized as Educator Preparation Providers (EPPs) by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission of Oregon (TSPC) will meet these requirements. You can find Oregon’s list of teaching-approved programs online.

Q. Where can I find educational programs in Oregon?
A. Use the Oregon Department of Education resource to explore available programs. You can find Oregon’s list of teaching-approved programs online.

Q. Do these guidelines apply if I want to be an intern?
A. Individuals already enrolled in a program and on track to complete it may apply for positions through the regular hiring process. If requested to be hired as a full responsibility educator by a school, they may be eligible for a sponsored, restricted license and subsequently hired. 

Q. Can I be a substitute in BSD on days that I’m not scheduled for practicum?
A. Each university has different subbing policies. Please contact your university to check on their subbing policies during your program.

Q. As a BSD employee, do I have priority for practicum placements in the district?
A. BSD prioritizes employees and past students for placement when possible, but placement is not guaranteed. All university requirements must be met, and an MOU must be in place between BSD and the university.

Q. Can I complete my practicum in the school where I currently work?
A. The university can request that you complete a practicum in your current school, but this is not guaranteed. All university requirements must be met, and an MOU must be in place.

Q. If I’m a classified employee, can I pursue my practicum placement in a licensed position? How will this affect my current position, salary and benefits?
A. With university approval, some practicum hours may overlap with your current responsibilities. If partial or full-time student teaching conflicts with your job and duties, you may need to resign or take a leave of absence. Exceptions exist for participants in BSD partnerships.

Q. What are the current partnerships with BSD, and what do they offer?
A. Contact the university or program directly for details. Current partnerships include:

• TeacherConnect: Support for diverse teaching candidates
• Lewis & Clark: Part-time MAT cohort for employees interested in teaching at the elementary level
• Lewis & Clark: Aspiring Administration program (equity focus)
• PSU Bilingual Teacher Pathways: Bilingual, bicultural candidates who want to teach at the elementary level
• University of Portland: MAT with substitute teaching opportunities at the elementary and secondary levels
• Western Oregon University: MAT Special Education generalist

Q. Does BSD have a list of university programs that meet the educator candidate criteria?
A. No, but you can use the Oregon Department of Education resource for details about programs in Oregon. Contact the university to verify if they have a current MOU with Beaverton School District. BSD has agreements with accepted universities to ensure compliance. Most local universities recognized as Educator Preparation Providers (EPPs) by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission of Oregon (TSPC) will meet these requirements. You can find Oregon’s list of teaching-approved programs online.

Q. Does BSD offer financial support for employees pursuing educational pathways?
A. BSD offers tuition reimbursement and partnerships with specific universities to provide additional resources. Financial support may be available through universities or statewide resources. Visit Become an Oregon Educator for more information.

Q. Do I need approval from BSD to enroll in a program that places me as an educator candidate in the district?
A. You don’t need BSD approval to enroll in a program, but if you desire a placement in Beaverton, the university must request it through BSD HR. All BSD requirements must be met, and an MOU must be in place. The university can request that you complete a practicum in Beaverton, but this isn’t guaranteed. 

Q. If I’m already employed by BSD, do I still need to meet the minimum practicum hour requirement?
A. Yes, if you are pursuing an initial teaching license. All program and university requirements must be met, regardless of employment status. An MOU must also be in place for your placement.

Q. Will completing my practicum in BSD improve my chances of being hired as a teacher?
A. While completing a practicum in BSD does not guarantee employment, it provides an opportunity to showcase your skills within the district.

Q. What should I do if my program doesn’t meet BSD’s guidelines?
A. Work with your university to explore ways to potentially meet BSD’s guidelines, look into other programs that meet Beaverton’s guidelines or pursue your practicum in another district.

Q. What is the process for adding an endorsement to my current teaching license?
A. HR involvement is unnecessary if the endorsement program requirements are under 100 hours, and these hours can be completed within your current position. In this case, you should coordinate with your building administrator. Otherwise, please contact the University Partnership Office at HR-Career-Pathways@beaverton.k12.or.us