Clinical Experiences in Professional Education
Demographics in Minnesota P-12 schools are changing rapidly. Schools are experiencing increasing diversity with respect to English Language Learners, immigrant populations, and students of color as well as students of poverty. The Minnesota Department of Education monitors the demographic data of all school districts in the state (http://education.state.mn.us/mde/Data/Data_Downloads/School_and_District/Enrollment/index.html).
As part of their program all candidates have experiences working with students with exceptionalities and students from diverse ethnic, racial, gender, and socioeconomic groups in their field experiences and student teaching.
If a candidate has not had experiences with students of color, English Language Learners, and students with exceptionalities by the end of field experiences, that candidate will be placed in a school with a diverse population for student teaching. Advanced program candidates who have not had experiences with diverse learners through clinical experiences are required to perform an alternative clinical assignment in a diverse setting.
