Steps for Student Observation

Prairie View A&M Universityis fortunate to be surrounded by many partnership school districts that welcome our pre-service studentteachers.

Within your field experiences, you will find rich opportunities to utilize what you learned in your university classeswith students and teachers in the public schools.

Several districts have established procedures for securing pre-service student teacher placements and we will share those with you.

If the district that you would like to do your field experience is not listed, please consider the following recommendedsteps for securing your field experience placement.

  1. Go to the Central Administration Office, introduce yourself and request permission to do field experience inthe district;
  2. Have your request for placement, days of the week and times that you are available to do field experiences,

and the Criminal History Background Check completed before you arrive at the Central Office; with a copy of your driver’s license/ID.

  1. Provide a letter from your instructor explaining the desired field experience outcomes;and dress professionally.
  2. The Central Office will then take all of your paperwork and notify you of your placement at a later date, or send you directly to a

campus principal for further conversation.

NOTE: All districts have different procedures (see below); however, you will alwaysfollow protocol by beginning your request for placement at the Central

Office of a particular school district.

FORMS: Request for Placement

Criminal History/Background Checks

ALDINE / Submit, in person (no exceptions), course description required. Information must be obtained from your professor.
CYFAIR /
  1. Submit PVAMU observation approval letter and driver’s license to Cy Fair ISD Human Resources Dept.
  2. HR office will contact campus and finalize placement and contact student observer with placement information.
Placement process is minimal and student may be placed for observation as soon as the next business day.
WALLER / Student Teaching/Observation Assignment Form must be completed.
Applicants may contact the HR Dept for status 5 days after forms are submitted to Waller ISD.
SPRING / Office of Student Teaching and Field Experiences verification needed. Process usually takes 3-5 business days.
HOUSTON /
  1. Inform campus administration of intent.
  2. Go to the Houston ISD website to complete application packet.
  3. Submit completed forms to HISD Human Resources office.
  4. Contact preferred campus administration to communicate specifics of assignment, i.e. certification level, placement/s, etc.

HEMPSTEAD /
  1. Submit completed Application for Student Teaching/Observation Assignment Forms to Hempstead ISD Human Resources Dept. If application and schedule is approved, the student will be contacted.
  2. Applicants may contact the HR Dept for status 5 days after forms are submitted to Hempstead ISD.

LAMAR /
  1. Complete the “Volunteer Application” at .
  2. After you have submitted the “Volunteer Application,” email Human Resources Technician with the following information:
  3. First and last name; Home address; Name of program requiring observation hours; Type of degree and certification;
  4. The number of observation hours needed; Preferred campuses.
  5. If approved, placement is within 3 – 5 business days.

SHELDON / Contact the Human Resource Dept to complete background check. COME ON A WEDNESDAY ONLY - BEFORE 12 NOON
Bring driver’s license.
FORT BEND / Student needs to complete the Criminal History Application online at:
Observations are only scheduled from mid-September to the end of November and mid-January through the end of April. Do not report to a campus without scheduling your visit. All applicants completing a criminal history application will receive an email within 3-5 business days.
NAVASOTA / Student Observation Authorization Letter needed.
COLUMBUS /
  • Contact preferred campus and provide principal with detailed information.
  • Campus/student will contact HR to complete a background check. Candidate will be placed as soon as possible.

ALVIN / Contact District office to complete application and provide relevant information.
MAGNOLIA /
  • Contact preferred campus and provide principal with detailed information.
  • Campus/student will contact HR to complete a background check. The candidate will be placed as soon as possible.

PEARLAND /
  • Complete “other” on-line application at: indicating the position preference of Observer.
  • Candidates must complete the Observation Request Form and Submit data by email.
  • Observation authorization letter needed.
  • Once information has been received and verified, it will be forwarded to the campus principal for acceptance.
  • If accepted, email campus contacts provided. Make all arrangements with the teachers directly. Allow 7-10 business days for processing before contactingto schedule your observation days/times.
  • Observationsare from September 1 - March 1in the following certification areas only:
  • Special Education EC-12
  • Fine Arts (all areas) EC-12
  • Generalist 4-8
  • Math 4-8; 8-12
  • Science 4-8; 8-12
  • Foreign Languages (Spanish and French) 6-12
  • All other areas by written request only and with limited availability.

BRENHAM / Contact campus to schedule observation times. Bring Driver’s License for entrance into campus.
CALVERT /
  • Observation Authorization Letter and background check needed.
  • Observers will be notified accordingly as soon as possible.

GALENA PARK / Download and complete Criminal History Review Permission Form and submit to Human Resource and Communication Services (HRCS), at 14705 Wood Forest Blvd. Candidates will be notified by letterof approval. Present letter to Campus Administrators.
KATY / Complete the KISD Application packet and submit:
a. KISD Observation Procedures and Guidelines form;
b. Observation Hour Request Form;
c. Observation General Information Sheet;
d. Consent to Perform Criminal History Background Check ;
e. Letter or syllabus for course requirements related to classroom observation.
Processing requests takes a minimum of 10 days.Deadline: 2nd week in November
CONROE / Contact preferred campus and check for availability. Driver’s License neededfor entrance into campus.
PASADENA / If you are in need of observation hours for your alternative teaching program orcollege/university course work please read the following requirements and completethe attached forms in order to conduct your observations in Pasadena ISD. Yourrequest will be approved within 5 business days.
Observer must:
1. Submit the following forms: Criminal History, Observation Request and DPS Audit.
2. Student Observation Authorization Letter needed.
SPRING BRANCH / a)ReadtheSpring Branch ISD Observation Procedures and Guidelines form.
b)Complete Observation Information Sheet; Criminal History Records Form.
c)Letter or syllabus for course requirements related to classroom observations.
d)Student Observation Authorization Letter needed.
TOMBALL /
  • Submit completed application, Observation Authorization letter, and copy of DL (for background check) in person.
  • Process usually takes up to 8-10 days.

GOOSE CREEK /
  • Complete the Goose Creek Substitute application online at:

  • Fingerprinting may be required.

COLLEGE STATION /
  • Return completed forms to HR between8am and 4:30pm Monday-Friday. HR will return the signed and approved form to the student.
  • Take the approved application to campus administrator with an observation schedule.
  • Application process must be complete before the end of the third week of the Texas A&M University semester schedule.
Files:
  • Access to RecordsForm.pdf
  • Field Experience Application.pdf

MONTGOMERY / Student Observation Authorization Letter needed. Attach the complete Criminal History Authorization for Student Observers*
Process usually takes about 2 weeks to notify candidate.
Other DISTRICTS / If a candidates wishes to student teach or conduct observations in other ISDs not listed above, please contact the Office of Student Teaching and Field Experiences for assistance.