Clearances for Field Experiences
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) requires that students entering public schools for observations and practicum experiences (including student teaching) must obtain the following security clearances:
- Act 34: Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check
- Act 114: Federal Criminal History Background Check (FBI fingerprints)
- Act 151: Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
- Tuberculosis Test
Clearance Instructions
EDUC-265, 320, 350, 375, and 443 have field experiences, and students must obtain the security clearances listed above, prior to being enrolled in these courses.
Step-by-step instructions for the clearance process are here
It is important to follow all instructions very carefully and in a timely manner; failure to do so may result in having to withdraw from the course.
Students planning to enroll in student teaching (EDUC-453) must apply for and submit to the department a new (updated) set of clearances by the beginning of the preceding semester; for example, if you plan to student teach in the spring of your senior year, you must have updated clearances in hand by the beginning of the fall semester. Clearances must be valid—that is, not more than one year old—at the start date of student teaching.