School of Education

Early Field Experience

Temporary Use of ATLAS

For the Spring 2024 semester, all students enrolled in the following courses will be utilizing ATLAS, our virtual observation experience program, instead of receiving in-person placements:

  • EDTE 255, section 2
  • EDTE 255, section 3
  • EDTE 265, section 1
  • EDTE 265, section 72

If you are enrolled in a section of the above listed courses and have questions about ATLAS, please reach out to your course instructor. Students participating in ATLAS observations are not required to submit an application or supplemental documents, nor are they required to submit a timelog or obtain a Disposition Form. 

Students enrolled in EDTE 255, section 1; EDTE 570; AGED 210; MATH 195; MATH 295; and MUSC 221 will participate in in-person volunteering for Fall 2023 and will be cleared for volunteer service via the clearance process as outlined below and will be required to submit a TB test or assessment and letter of recommendation as part of the clearance process. Students will receive further instruction on this clearance process and the requisite forms from their Course Instructors and via email from the School of Education. 

About Early Field Experience

The School of Education's Early Field Experience (EFE) program is responsible for placing pre-credential students in classrooms to fulfill the forty-five hour minimum service requirement for their applications to a California teaching credential program. Formerly the Service Learning program through CAVE, the School of Education only clears and/or places students enrolled in EDTE 255, EDTE 265, and EDTE 255-equivalent courses. 

Want more information on our policies? Check out our EFE Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) sheet (PDF)

Early Field Experience Clearance Process

  • STEP 1: Students must be enrolled in an Early Field Experience course

    These courses have an in-classroom service requirement built into the coursework. Please see the Early Field Experience Class List (PDF) for a full list of courses supported by Early Field Experience for the current semester. 

    Please note, only Sophomore through Post-Baccalaureate students enrolled in one or more of our serviced courses are eligible for placement through Early Field Experience. First-time Freshmen are not eligible to volunteer during their first year at Chico State. 

  • STEP 2: Complete a TB Assessment or Test

    TB assessments and tests must be dated within four years of your application and must clearly indicate a negative result. Unless specified by the volunteer school site or district, TB assessments will be accepted in place of a skin prick TB test. 

    The Student Health Center offers TB testing services. Please visit their website for more information. 

  • OPTIONAL STEP 3: Begin the Certificate of Clearance (COC)

    Please Note: a completed Certificate of Clearance is not required to receive an Early Field Experience placement. A COC is required when students apply for a California teaching credential program. As this certificate is good for 5 years, obtaining a COC now will be extremely helpful for students as they continue down the path towards a credential. Do you have questions as to whether or not completing the COC now is a good choice for you? Please contact your course instructor for more information. 

    Please refer to the Certificate of Clearance Instructions & Live Scan Form (PDF) for a complete guide to the Certificate of Clearance. 

  • STEP 4: Begin Collecting Your Supplemental Documents

    The following supplemental documents are required as part of your Early Field Experience Student Application (PDF) and should be submitted to the EFE Application Submissions Box folder(opens in new window) alongside it:

    • Letter of Recommendation(s)
    • TB Assessment or Test

    If you are completing the OPTIONAL Certificate of Clearance, please also provide proof of starting the process or of submission when you submit your application. 

    Letters of Recommendation must include the following:

    • Dated within four (4) years of your application
    • Written by a professional contact, i.e., an employer, faculty member (not the course instructor), or a coach. 
    • Written on official letterhead with appropriate contact information. 
    • A statement of how and for how long the recommender has known you and your suitability for a classroom setting. 

    Letters of Recommendation that do not meet the above requirements will not be accepted and you will be asked to resubmit a new letter. 

    Student Applications will not be processed without the accompanying, required supplemental documents.

  • STEP 5: Submit Your Early Field Experience Student Application

    The Early Field Experience Student Application (PDF) will be distributed via email at the beginning of the semester to all students enrolled in an Early Field Experience-supported course participating in in-person volunteering. This application must be completed in its entirety and be submitted with your supplemental documents in order for you to be cleared for and/or receive a placement.

    If you are a distance learner (meaning that you require a volunteer placement outside of Chico), you are required to find your own placement at a K-12 school site within your local community. Please indicate that you are a distance learner or if you have found your own placement on the Early Field Experience Student Application (PDF)

    Students who have found their own placements must include their placement information (days and time ranges) and their Mentor Teacher's contact information on their applications in the "Placement Information" section. Failure to do so will result in students being required to submit a new application. 

    Once you have completed your Early Field Experience Student Application (PDF) in full, submit it to the EFE Application Submissions Box folder(opens in new window) using the link provided. This link can also be found in the sidebar of our website.  

    Have questions about the application? Please contact Megan Mann by emailing efe@csuchico.edu(opens in new window) or by calling 530-898-6293. 

  • STEP 6: Wait for Your Placement Form

    Once you have submitted your Early Field Experience Student Application (PDF), TB test or assessment results, and letter of recommendation to the EFE Application Submissions Box folder(opens in new window), please allow for one to two weeks for review. Volunteers are typically cleared for service and assigned placements (if required) by Week 4 of the Chico State semester. The School of Education will contact you should our office require any edits to your application or additional paperwork from you. The cut-off date for volunteer clearance and placement assignment is the end of Week 6 of the Chico State semester. 

    Students are not permitted to begin volunteering in any capacity until after they have received their Early Field Experience Placement Form.This includes in the classroom, at the school site, or at school site-related events. 

    Once your Early Field Experience Student Application has been processed and approved, you will receive an email containing your Early Field Experience Placement Form. This is your "golden ticket" to begin volunteering; for volunteers who are being assigned a placement by the School of Education, your placement information and volunteer schedule will be listed on this form. Your Mentor Teacher, Course Instructor, and Site Liaison (when applicable) will also receive a copy of your Placement Form signaling that you have completed the clearance process and may begin volunteering immediately. 

    Don't forget to log the hours you spend volunteering on your Early Field Experience Timelog (PDF)

Forms & Guides

Questions?

Please contact Megan Mann, Early Field Placement Coordinator, at efe@csuchico.edu

Spring 2024 Important Dates

Application Deadline
February 9, 2024

Volunteer Placement Cycle
January 22-March 1, 2024

Timelog & Disposition Form Deadline
May 17, 2023

Fall 2024 Teacher Request Form Collection
April 5-May 10, 2024

Recommended Trainings for Volunteers
Check out these recommended trainings on working with youth(opens in new window) from Chico State's Risk Management Department!
Interested in Being a Teacher?
Join our Credentials Team for one of their General Advising Sessions or Application Workshops(opens in new window) to learn more about the Credential Program! 
Want EFE volunteers at your school?

If you are a public school or charter, please email us directly at efe@csuchico.edu