REQUEST FOR CASE STUDIES WITH LEGAL IMPLICATONS.

Rationale: A major purpose of the National Field Director’s Forum (NFDF) is to provide communication among professionals with similar positions and facilitate the sharing of information between directors and among institutions. Information sharing and support provided through the NFDF enables the directors to become more knowledgeable in fulfilling the various responsibilities associated with their position. This support is invaluable in that the field director position tends to be one in which the turnover rate is higher than of other faculty positions. Additionally, there is generally no other campus colleague in a similar position available for consultation when special problems or issues arise. Most field directors have had experiences with cases in which a situation with a practicum student, a student teacher, an intern, or a field experience student involved litigation or potential legal ramifications. Such cases present some of the most challenging and time-consuming problems for directors. The development of a book of case studies could serve as a ready reference for field directors to consult when confronted with similar challenging and often complex situations.

At the National Field Director’s Forum in February 2003 in Jacksonville, Florida, the membership approved the proposal to develop a book on “Case Studies: A Guide for Field Directors.” The executive board is inviting directors to prepare a case study for possible publication.

Format: Submit each case study in the following format:

· use a 12 point font with a maximum length of two pages;

· identify the subject category for the case study such as physical, emotional or mental health, safety, drugs, alcohol, etc.;

· describe the problem or the issue using fictitious names including changing the actual major of the student, the grade level or licensure level, and the name of the school if applicable;

· identify specific teacher education program policies if any relating to the case;

· legal ramifications relating to the case including possible advice received from a campus legal counselor or expert in school law;

· identify potential resolutions and pros and cons for each option;

· include a list of resources for referral for the case study submitted; and

· enclose complete address, telephone number and email address to contact for any questions along with a self-addressed stamped envelope to notify you of acceptance of your case study.

Directors may submit more than one case study. The executive board of the National Field Directors along with a “Review Committee” will make the final selections and edit for publication. Cases will be shared and discussed at the winter conference in Dallas. The goal is to have each case study reviewed by a knowledgeable school / university legal counsel. Each case study should be submitted by April 1, 2004 and mailed or emailed to: Marlene Bachmann, Director

Field Experiences and Student Teaching

School of Education

The University of Montana

32 Campus Drive

Missoula, MT 59812-6336

Phone: 406-243-2031 or 243-5581

Email: marlene.bachmann@mso.umt.edu

If you would like to see a sample case study please contact Marlene Bachmann at the email listed above.