The unit places a priority on field and clinical placements in highly diverse settings – both in terms of P-12 student diversity and cooperating teacher diversity (Exhibit 3.3.b.1.a; Exhibit 3.3.b.1.b). The university is located in a large metropolitan area with a highly diverse urban school district, Jefferson County Public Schools, with over 100,000 students, 49% non-Caucasian, over 100 languages spoken, and a free/reduced lunch percentage of 62% district-wide (Exhibit 4.3.a.1; Exhibit 4.3.f). The unit's Field Placement Coordinator works closely with JCPS district personnel and building principals to place candidates in optimum settings for diversity, excellence of instruction, and strong building leadership (Exhibit 3.3.b.2). The university is near more rural districts as well, including the Bullitt County Public Schools, providing opportunities for candidates to experience rural school culture (Exhibit 3.3.b.3). The unit places special emphasis on working with students with exceptionalities and requires candidates to work with students at all levels (elementary, middle, and secondary) regardless of desired level of certification. Candidates' placements are tracked through the Degree Audit Portlet to ensure the full spectrum of diversity, including income level, culture and ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, and exceptionalities.
Exhibits
3.3.b.1.a Race and Ethnicity of JCPS Schools for Field Placements
3.3.b.1.b Teacher Ethnicity Pie Charts
3.3.b.2 Criteria for School Selection for Field and Clinical Placements
3.3.b.3 Rural District Demographic Data
4.3.a.1 JCPS Enrollment by Race and Gender
4.3.f Diversity of P-12 Students in Clinical Practice Sites