Success Starts Here

Field Experience†

Short-Term Classroom Observations
(single day, short stints in multiple classrooms)

1. Read the Field Experience Guide

2. Complete the Field Experience Registration 5 MIN

3. Complete a background check

Field Experience Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the school year. Processing typically takes 15 business days for approval.‡

Student Teaching†

Full-Time Teaching Internship
(multi-week, 4-5 days weekly in 1-2 classrooms)

1. Read the Student Teaching Guide

2. Complete the Student Teaching Application (available April 14) 5 MIN

3. View the Student Teaching Calendar

Student Teacher Applications are processed on a semester basis and approvals are issued a few weeks before the student’s first day of student teaching.‡

Have a specific question?

Send it over.

Frequently Asked Questions for Student Teachers

• Will background checks from other vendors be accepted?

  • No.​ CPS cannot accept background checks from outside vendors and agencies. You must fingerprint at an Accurate Biometrics location using the CPS Fingerprinting Background Authorization & Release Form.

• If I completed a tuberculosis test and fingerprints for field experience and/or pre-clinical hours in the district and/or for another school district, do I need to complete the requirements again?

  • Yes.​ Since January 2016, Illinois School Code requires new tuberculosis and fingerprint documents to be completed within 90 days of the student teaching state date.

• If I did not receive a Report to Service approval notice, can I start student teaching?

  • No.​ To ensure the safety of our students and school communities, a Report to Service approval notice is required from every prospective student teacher.

• What happens if I missed the application deadline to apply for student teaching?

  • Please reach out to your university coordinator indicating that you have missed the application deadline.

• I'm completing a year-long student teaching program. Do I need to submit separate applications for both semesters?

  • No. ​You only submit one student teaching application. Plan to complete your application and required test results during the application window one semester before you start student teaching.

• If I submitted an application, completed the required tests, and then deferred my student teaching to another semester, do I need to complete the process again?

  • Yes.​ You will be required to submit a new application and complete new test results for the upcoming semester. All documents must be dated within the given application window for which you are applying.

• Can I obtain my background check results even though the results go to CPS?

  • Yes.​ ​You may request a copy of your background check results up to a year of your fingerprints being processed. To request your results, please contact your institute of higher education coordinator who will partner with CPS to obtain a copy.

• Do I complete another background check if I performed field experience and student teaching in successive (back-to-back) semesters at the same school?

  • No.​ CPS considers this situation a “linked placement.” The field experience background check results are valid, and another background check is not required.

• ~accord