Download Education Handbook - Valencia College

Other important documents that you need to familiarize
yourself prior to the field observation visits.
1. Memorandum From the Office of East Campus Social Sciences and Physical Education
The following is a statement reflecting Valencia Community College‟s interpretation and implementation
of changes in Florida Statutes regarding field experiences in public schools. The summary is that all
students enrolled in EDF 2005 and EDF 2085 will be required by Valencia to have background checks
conducted during the term in which they are observing classes, preferably within the first 2 weeks of
classes. Students taking these classes in multiple semesters will need to keep their background files active
or be re-screened each semester.
All students will have a statement regarding this requirement in Atlas in the comment section of their
course. Please read the background and finger printing information provided below carefully and make
sure you submit it in a timely manner.
2. Florida Statute 1012.32 (2)(d)
Student teachers, persons participating in a field experience pursuant to s. 1004.04(6) or s. 1004.85, and
persons participating in a short-term experience as a teacher assistant pursuant to s.1004.04(10) in any
district school system, lab school, or charter school shall, upon engagement to provide services, undergo
background screening as required under s. 1012.56.
Fingerprints shall be submitted to the Department of Law Enforcement for state processing and to the
Federal Bureau of Investigation for federal processing. Persons subject to this subsection found through
fingerprint processing to have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude shall not be employed,
engaged to provide services, or serve in any position requiring direct contact with students. Probationary
persons subject to this subsection terminated because of their criminal record have the right to appeal such
decisions. The cost of the background screening may be borne by the district school board, the charter
school, the employee, the contractor, or a person subject to this subsection.
3. Valencia Statement
Valencia Community College has developed an interpretation to the new language in Section 1012.32
(the fingerprinting law) in cooperation with the local school districts of Orange and Osceola counties.
All students including online students completing their field experience requirement in public schools
must go through the registration and screening process to become volunteers. This does involve a
background check, but does not require fingerprinting. The process is also cost-free for our students.
Background check applications for Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) through the Additions
Program can be completed and submitted online at https://volunteer.ocps.net/Vols2003/volLogin.cfm.
If a student chooses to do his/her observation at any other county or outside Central Florida he/she should
first get the approval of their instructor and then visit the particular website to follow the accurate
procedures. Policies and procedures for each county and each state will vary, but students need to submit
the same verification form. The enclosed verification form is an official document and no other form or
letter will be accepted. Students who do not complete their field experience at a public school are
responsible for meeting the requirements of the institution or agency that is hosting them.
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