October 23, 2014
CAEP Prep: What is the LCSN?
The Latham Clinical Schools Network (LCSN) is a network of 38 public school systems located throughout eastern North Carolina, who collaborate with the EPP at ECU in order to form a school partnership among teacher candidates and faculty. LCSN provides quality field placements for pre-service teachers with trained clinical teachers in diverse public school settings.
The LCSN is critical to the EPP successfully meeting the expectations of Standard 3, Field Experiences and Clinical Practice, Collaboration between the Unit and School Partners. Collaboration with the LCSN allows the EPP to strategically and proactively address concerns. One common issue collaboratively addressed through LCSN was the need for criminal background checks for field experiences (practicum) and clinical practice (internship).
The in-depth collaboration between ECU EPP and LCSN partners leads to synergistic gains for the partners. For the COE, partnerships from the LCSN support the TQP grant, focused on the clinical practice component. Instructional Coaching in LCSN member district (Pitt County Schools and Greene County Schools) was an original TQP clinical practice reform, and is also a Pirate CODE innovation. For LCSN, professional development is provided annually for all clinical teachers who mentor an intern during clinical practice through the fall and spring Clinical Teacher Conference and through other annual conferences, themed workshops, and collaborative professional development opportunities. These events unite EPP faculty and clinical partners in support of candidates.
Prior to the Site Visit, it is important for our public school partners in the LCSN to know about the EPP’s programs and Pirate CODE. LCSN representatives serve on the Council for Teacher Education, and are the crucial communication conduit for the EPP to the public schools.
Once the Site Visit schedule is determined, individual faculty, candidates, clinical teachers, university supervisors and other EPP stakeholders may possibly be invited to meet with the Site Visit Team.
Learn more about the Latham Clinical Schools Network: http://www.ecu.edu/cs-educ/oce/Clinical_Schools.cfm
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