Field Observation
Courses that Require Field Observation (FO) & Teaching Practicum
View Field Observation Course Descriptions
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 Cyndi Demitruk.
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 school placement request. School placement request links are provided by the school district in September for
the fall term and in January for the spring term. This does includes Charter and Private
School student placement requests.
For Practicum Students only: We have an affiliation agreement with St. Lucie Public Schools for students enrolled in EPI0950 to complete their practicum hours.
For the Summer 2024 term the Palm Beach County School District Pre-Service Office is not placing students. Those enrolled in Summer 2024 classes EDF2005 and/or EDF2085, can look for field observation opportunities in a private or charter school. Please visit Charter/Private School Opportunities for details on these placements.
Summer Charter or Private School Placement Opportunities - it is suggested those enrolled in Summer 2024 classes EDF2005 and/or EDF2085, should start looking for field observation opportunities in a private or charter school. Please visit Charter/Private School Opportunities for details on these placements.
Badging & Security Process
Palm Beach County School District
The PBCSD no longer requires District ID Badges for Practicum and Field Observation
students. Please Click Here for Pre-Service Student ID Requirements. Each time a practicum or field observation student visits a school, they will use
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 current driver's license or other approved government issued photo ID
Charter/Private/Out-of-County Process
Charter, private and out-of-county public schools (Martin County and St. Lucie County have Level 2 security requirements) may have separate security and badge requirements. Please visit the appropriate web page to learn more:
- Palm Beach County Charter Schools
- Private Schools in Palm Beach County
- Martin County Public Schools
- St. Lucie Public Schools (Practicum Students)