The evaluation of student teaching is a continuous process which facilitates the mastery of Teacher Education Learning Outcomes and achievement of California Standards for the Teaching Profession at a level indicative of successful beginning practice. Evaluation by others also assists the student teacher in developing techniques of self-assessment. During the semester, frequent observations by the cooperating teacher should serve constructive and informational ends. In the post-observation conference, the student teacher and cooperating teacher will want to explore both the successful and unsuccessful aspects of the lesson. The conference can be most valuable when specific areas can be targeted for attention and suggestions for improvement are used in planning future lessons.
Experience suggests that it is better to focus on two or three points per lesson.
They will be provided to students and cooperating teachers as a supplement to this Handbook by the end of the third week of the semester. A formal midterm evaluation by the cooperating teacher is required each semester to reinforce success and provide assistance to student teachers who are having difficulty. This midterm evaluation is normally done immediately prior to the beginning of the final 5-week, intensive phase of student teaching for both Stage I and Stage II students. Student teachers need to be informed of areas of both strengths and weaknesses and given specific suggestions for improvement. It will be beneficial if the student teacher and the cooperating teacher take the opportunity at this time to set goals for the intensive phase to follow.