Clinical Year FAQs

Q: What are the requirements for entering into the Clinical Year?

• For a Bachelor of Arts in Global Education (BAGE) candidate to qualify as a Clinical Resident for the Clinical Year, candidates must meet several eligibility requirements. Failure to meet these criteria may result in a transfer to the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies (BA-LS) program.
• Candidates must pass 75% (3 out of 4) of the Praxis Elementary Subtests (Language Arts, Math, Social Science, Science) by mid-semester of the Advanced Year - Semester 2, with official scores submitted by the following deadlines: March 1st for a Fall Clinical Year start and October 1st for a Spring Clinical Year start.
• Requirements include employment at a school with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Reach placement in an elementary classroom for the Clinical Year (note: SPED classrooms do not meet this requirement).
• Successful completion of required courses as outlined in the Scope and Sequence.

Q: What is the deadline for submitting the required Praxis scores?

The Praxis date submission depends on your cohort’s Clinical Year entry semester.  Click here for instructions on calculating your CY entry semester. 

• Spring CY Start: October 1st
• Fall CY start: March 1st

Q: Where do I submit my scores?

• You can submit your Praxis scores to us by uploading your ETS score report here.
• You can also add Reach as a score recipient when registering for Praxis on the ETS website.
  • LA code - 6430
  • AR code- 6208

Q: What Praxis scores are considered Passing for Clinical Year Eligibility? 

• Content exams (Social Studies, Science, Math, and ELA)
• Click here to review the minimum scores needed to pass your Praxis exams.
• Check with your state here for the most updated information on passing scores. 

Q: What are the Praxis requirements for entering the Clinical Year?

• BAGE candidates are required to take a Praxis exam after their cluster courses and will have to show proof of Praxis registration from ETS for end-of-semester completion of courses (cluster courses - math, science, social studies, and Literacy) during the semester candidates are enrolled in the course. 
• Candidates must choose a test registration date no later than 30 days past the last day of the semester (for example, if the semester ends on June 1st, the registration date must be no later than July 1st).  
• Failure to register for the Praxis by the end of the semester will result in an incomplete as the final course grade. Candidates will have 30 days to complete the Praxis registration requirement to receive a grade for the course.
• Additionally, candidates cannot enroll in Clinical Residency I without passing the required Praxis exams aligned to cluster courses in years 2 and 3 of the program.

Q: Where can I learn more about the expectations of the Clinical Year?

• The Clinical Year Handbook 
• 2024 Clinical Year Informational Session Slide Deck and Recording here (PW: fA&4Vn!5)
• Arkansas State Department of Education LINK
• Louisiana State Department of Education LINK

Q: What are my options (BAGE candidate) if I do not complete the Praxis requirements (75% of praxis content exams passed) for entering Clinical Year?

• You will still earn your degree by switching to our Bachelor of Liberal Studies program. With our BLS pathway, you must enroll in an alternative certification program after graduation to complete your licensure requirements.

Q: What will happen if I don't earn at least a B in my clinical residency semester 1 courses?

• Candidates may enter into the Clinical Residency during the Fall or Spring semester only. To continue into Residency semester 2,  Candidates MUST have completed Clinical Semester 1 courses with grade of “B” or better. See Pg 9  Clinical Year Handbook
  • If your grade average is lower than a B during the semester, it is best practice to speak with your professor(s) about how to revise or improve your work before the end of the semester. 

Q: I have make-up classes to complete. Will I be able to enter my clinical year with my cohort?

• Candidates need to complete outstanding courses before entering their Clinical Year. 

Pg. 9 of the Clinical Year Handbook 

Q: What will my clinical year look like in terms of classes?

Here's a structured summary of what your student teaching year will look like: You can find more in-depth information on pages 22-23 of the Clinical Handbook

• • Focus: Learning about IEPs and strategies to meet the needs of diverse learners.
  • Goal: These courses will deepen your understanding of individualized education plans (IEPs) and the variety of ways to support students with diverse needs in the classroom.

• • Focus: Inquiry-based learning and instruction.
  • Goal: This course will guide you using inquiry-based methods, encouraging students to explore and engage deeply with content.

• • Structure:
    • First Half of the Year: Methods coursework paired with a clinical residency.
    • Activities: Observations, receiving feedback, logging hours, keeping coaching journals, and ongoing support from your mentor.
  • Goal: To build practical teaching skills through hands-on experiences in a classroom setting, combined with reflective practices to support growth.

Q: Do we choose our mentor? 

• Yes- as long as they meet the requirements for your state to be a mentor. Your mentor has to work at your clinical site, and you are completing your residency in their classroom. Your principal will need to approve as well. 
• In Louisiana, Mentor Teachers must hold valid Mentor Teacher certification or have a state-granted waiver in lieu of the certification. 
• In Arkansas, an experienced mentor teacher and/or journeyman will show that they are highly qualified by meeting the following requirements:

• • Hold a standard teaching license
  • Have a minimum 3 years of teaching experience
  • Have evidence of an annual rating of effective or higher
  • Be able to show documentation of completing a DESE Recognized Coaching Training

Q: Can I have more than one clinical mentor?

• You can absolutely have multiple individuals providing support during your clinical residency, but please note that only one person can serve as your official clinical residency mentor. The mentor will be the primary person responsible for guiding and evaluating your progress throughout the residency.

Q: How many hours a day/ week am I required to spend in a regular education classroom for each semester?

• LA & AR candidates - 18 hours or 3 days a week the first semester of the Clinical Year; 24 hours or 4 days a week the second half of the Clinical Residency.

**For candidates who may need to make arrangements to spend a portion of the day in a different site (for example, if currently in a Pre-K  classroom or serving as a paraprofessional in a High School remediation lab), the candidate and school system must ensure that an adequate placement in an elementary setting is achieved for a substantial portion of the Clinical Residency

Q: What will my clinical year look like if I cannot be in a regular education classroom?

• Securing a placement in the required general education elementary setting is mandatory to be accepted into the clinical residency. For Louisiana, this means a placement in grades 1-5, and for Arkansas, a placement in grades K-6 is required. Without this placement, you will not be able to move forward in the clinical residency process.

Q: Will a resource classroom setting be allowed?

• You are enrolled in our Bachelor of Arts in General Education (BAGE) program with a recommendation for Elementary licensure; it is required that you complete your clinical hours in a general education elementary grades 1-5 (LA) K-6 (AR) classroom setting. This aligns with your certification in Elementary (General) Education, which is focused on preparing you for a broad classroom environment. However, if you wish to add a Special Education (SPED) endorsement to your initial certification, you can do so by taking and passing the Praxis exam for that area. This will allow you to expand your qualifications and teach in general and special education settings. 

Q: Can my clinical hours be completed in a SPED/middle school/high school/pre-K classroom?

• You are enrolled in our Bachelor of Arts in General Education (BAGE) program with a recommendation for Elementary licensure; it is required that you complete your clinical hours in a general education elementary grades 1-5 (LA) K-6 (AR) classroom setting. 
• However, if you wish to add a Special Education (SPED) endorsement to your initial certification, you can do so by taking and passing the Praxis exam for that area. This will allow you to expand your qualifications and teach in general and special education settings. 

Q: I work at a high school/middle school/pre-K classroom. Will I need to leave my job for the clinical year? 

• You must complete your clinical hours in a general education classroom with grades K-6 for AR and 1-5 for LA.
• If you cannot secure a position in an Elementary general education classroom by the start of the clinical year, please contact the Clinical Year Directors to discuss your options. 

Q: Can I apply for a teacher position while completing my teaching residency?

• This depends on your school and the opportunity presented. Before accepting a full-time position, you should speak with your school administration and clinical year director. 

Q: I am graduating this semester from Clinical Year. What requirements must I complete to apply for licensure in my state?

• The Clinical Directors and Supervisors will support Clinical Residents in using the Arkansas Online Certification Checklist or the Louisiana Online Educator Certification Application Checklist to ensure all steps are followed promptly to guarantee licensure through the Arkansas Department of Education or the Louisiana Department of Education. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure these steps are completed within the suggested timelines. 

Q: Why am I not receiving a letter grade for my assignments? 

• Some assignments in the program are graded based on completion points. This means you will receive points for attending required meetings, submitting forms by the specified deadlines, and completing other necessary tasks. These assignments are meant to track your engagement and timely completion of program requirements.

Q: I have an accommodation. Will my cohort’s Praxis score submission deadline be accommodated? 

• All candidates must pass the required percentage of Praxis assessments before entering the clinical residency. If you need additional support, please contact your advisor, professor, and school or local co-op for additional tutoring resources.

Q: I do not work in a standard elementary-aged classroom. What happens if I cannot secure a placement as required?

• Securing a placement in the required elementary setting is mandatory to be accepted into the clinical residency. For Louisiana, this means a placement in grades 1-5, and for Arkansas, a placement in grades K-6. Without this placement, you will not be able to move forward in the clinical residency process.

• Both Reach University and your district/parish collaborate as partners during your clinical residency. However, your school employer is responsible for finalizing your clinical residency placement. It’s important to stay in communication with both Reach and your district to ensure all necessary steps are completed for your placement.