Field-Based Experience General Information

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TEA Field- Based Experience Regulations

The Texas Administrative Code (§228.43) requires Educator Preparation Programs to provide field-based experiences, for a minimum of 50 clock- hours. The field- based experiences must be completed prior to assignment in an internship, clinical teaching, or residency. To meet this requirement, hours of field-based experiences are integrated in course work and are completed as prescribed in §228.43 of this chapter.

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Types of Field-Based Experience Hours:

Interactive: At least 25 hours MUST be interactive hours, with candidates participating in classroom activities rather than simply observing. Interactive field- based experiences include activities such as:

(A) small group instruction;

(B) tutoring;

(C) presenting whole class instruction;

(D) one- one- one student support;

(E) practicing classroom management skills;

(F) supporting lead teacher instruction; and

(G) coteaching.

Observation: Up to 25 hours may be provided by use of electronic transmission or other video or technology-based method (i.e., approved videos by your Instructor of Record). Observation experiences include:

(A)observing a classroom;

(B)approved videos by your Instructor of Record;

Other approved activities.

Note: At least half of the required hours MUST be interactive and hands-on. The remaining hours can be completed in flexible ways.

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Field-Based Experience Documentation

Program Directors will provide faculty and adjunct professors in their department with a Microsoft Form link. Faculty will then share the link with teacher candidates, who will use it to complete their field-based experience documentation in two parts: (1) the Field-Based Experiences Time Log and (2) Field- Based Experiences Reflections.  

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Status of Field Experiences

The Center for the Professional Development of Teachers (CPDT) works with partner school districts to update field-based experience information. Please contact the CPDT Office with any questions

The availability and mode of field experiences are determined by the individual districts. Districts have requested a 30-minute maximum time for observations and/or teaching by UHCL students visiting their campuses. 

General Information for Field Experiences

1. All field experience requests are due to the CPDT office by the 4th Friday of the start of the fall/spring semesters.
2. Refer to the Field Experience Request Submission Instructions for the submission process.
3. Refer to school district requirements for submission of applications and Criminal History Background Checks.
   • District Specific Field Experience Instructions
   • Criminal History Background Checks
4. Students must successfully complete all district requirements for application and background checks before their field experience request will be considered by the district.
5. Allow at least two-three weeks for the district to process the field experience applications and background checks upon receipt.
6. Instructors observing students on a district campus may be required to sign in and present a driver's license or state-issued ID.
7. Students are not eligible to report to any campus until instructors have been notified.
8. The CPDT office will communicate with school district personnel on behalf of COE regarding all aspects of the field experience process.
9. Direct all field experience questions to the CPDT office via phone: 281-283-3612 or E-mail: cpdt@uhcl.edu

Please include with your request the names of students whose UHCL and state identification records differ, the name under which they applied and completed the background check information and that which is listed on their state-issued identification.