The Student Teaching Application for
Spring 2024 (and yearlong 2023-2024 student teachers) is now closed. Please be in touch with your university supervisor if you missed the registration window.
Registration for Fall 2024 student teachers will open in April 29, 2024.
What’s your next step?
We are so glad you’re interested in Chicago Public Schools. Explore our step-by-step guides to learn more about and apply to our Student Teaching or Field Experience programs.
Field Experience†
Short-Term Classroom Observations
(single day, short stints in multiple classrooms)
Field Experience Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the school year. Processing typically takes 15 business days for approval.‡
Student Teaching†
Full-Time Teaching Internship
(multi-week, 4-5 days weekly in 1-2 classrooms)
Student Teacher Applications are processed on a semester basis and approvals are issued few weeks before the student’s first day of student teaching.‡
Student Teaching Feature: Mr. Zaker
Featured
Let Us Know Questions You Have
Ms. Scott student teaching at Dever Elementary.
Have a specific question?
Send it over.
Frequently Asked Questions for Student Teachers
Will background checks from other vendors be accepted?
No. CPS cannot accept background checks from outside vendors and agencies. You must fingerprint at an Accurate Biometrics location using the CPS Fingerprinting Background Authorization & Release Form.
If I completed a tuberculosis test and fingerprints for field experience and/or pre-clinical hours in the district and/or for another school district, do I need to complete the requirements again?
Yes. Since January 2016, Illinois School Code requires new tuberculosis and fingerprint documents to be completed within 90 days of the student teaching state date.
If I did not receive a Report to Service approval notice, can I start student teaching?
No. To ensure the safety of our students and school communities, a Report to Service approval notice is required from every prospective student teacher.
Do I have to complete the entire process by the last Friday in May or October?
No. The above dates are only the deadlines to submit the application (Step 1). All three steps must be completed prior to the start of student teaching.
I'm completing a year-long student teaching program. Do I need to submit separate applications for both semesters?
No. You only submit one student teaching application. Plan to complete your application and required test results during the application window one semester before you start student teaching.
If I submitted an application, completed the required tests, and then deferred my student teaching to another semester, do I need to complete the process again?
Yes. You will be required to submit a new application and complete new test results for the upcoming semester. All documents must be dated within the given application window for which you are applying.
Can I obtain my background check results even though the results go to CPS?
Yes. You may request a copy of your background check results up to a year of your fingerprints being processed. To request your results, please contact your institute of higher education coordinator who will partner with CPS to obtain a copy.
Do I complete another background check if I performed field experience and student teaching in successive (back-to-back) semesters at the same school?
No. CPS considers this situation a “linked placement.” The field experience background check results are valid, and another background check is not required.
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Are you an IHE faculty member who plans to visit a CPS school?
Please complete the CPS Volunteer Registration. Under "School/Organization" search for and choose "University Supervisor," and under "Volunteer Type" choose "Level II." The university supervisor approval will come from the CPS Volunteer Team, and this notice is sufficient to enter any CPS school.
Student teachers are responsible for accepting the following "Confidentiality Agreement and Acknowledgements" and "Enumerated Offenses in Illinois School Code."
Non-Discrimination Statement
It is the policy of the Board to prohibit unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation on the basis of any protected category by the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Illinois and applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances, including but not limited to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), specifically, but not limited to, discrimination, harassment or retaliation on the basis of sexual orientation, gender or sex (includes gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and pregnancy related medical conditions), race or ethnicity, ethnic group identification, ancestry, nationality, national origin, religion, color, mental or physical disability, age, immigration status, marital status, registered domestic partner status, genetic information, political belief or affiliation (not union-related), military status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or on the basis of a person’s association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics in the educational programs or activities the Board operates.
Concerns or inquiries regarding sex discrimination, harassment or retaliation can be made to the Board’s Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Student Protections (OSP) or the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
For incidents involving student victims, please see below for specific contact information:
Office of Student Protections and Title IX (OSP) at 773-535-4400 (student-to-student) (Inquiries regarding sports equity should be directed to ospcompliance@cps.edu)
Office of Inspector General (OIG) at 833-TELL-CPS (833-835-5277) (adult-to-student)
U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at 312-730-1560 or ocr.chicago@ed.gov
For incidents involving adult victims, please see below for specific contact information:
Equal Opportunity Compliance Office (EOCO) at 773-553-1013 or eoco@cps.edu
U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at 312-730-1560 or ocr.chicago@ed.gov
Concerns or inquiries regarding discrimination, harassment or retaliation involving student victims on the basis of disability should be made to:
District Manager Section 504 Compliance at Section504@cps.edu
Concerns or inquiries regarding discrimination, harassment or retaliation on the basis of any other protected category listed above should be made to:
Principal of Student’s School (student victims)
Equal Opportunity Compliance Office (EOCO) at 773-553-1013 or eoco@cps.edu (adult victims)
For further information see the Comprehensive Non-Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Misconduct and Retaliation Policy
Non-Discrimination Statement