GCU%20-%20Universal%20Agreement%20-%20Field%20Placement%20Agreement.pdf

Parent document: Regular Meeting-05-22-2024.pdf

Text

Field Placement Affiliation Agreement
Between GCU and Meridian School District

1. PARTIES: This Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into on this 4/26/2024 day by and
between Grand Canyon University (“GCU”) and Meridian School District located at 214 West Laurel
Road, Bellingham, WA 98226 hereafter referred to as the (the “District”).

2. PURPOSE: The purpose of this non-exclusive Agreement is to establish the terms and conditions
under which candidates of GCU may participate in College of Education (“COE”) Practicum/Field
Experience, Student Teaching, Educational Administration Internships, or College of Humanities
and Social Sciences (“CHSS”) School Counseling (SC) Practicum/Internships at the schools located in
the District.

3. TERM: The term of this Agreement begins 4/26/2024 and ends 4/26/2027.

4. Roles & Definitions:

(Candidate: The Candidate is defined as the student who is actively enrolled in a COE or CHSS
program of study who works to fulfill all Practicum/Field experience, Student Teaching,
Educational Administration Internships, or SC Practicum/Internships.

(Mentor: The Mentor is defined as the teacher/educator hosting the COE or CHSS candidate in
practicum/field experiences or educational administration internships.

(Cooperating Teacher: The COE Cooperating Teacher (the “CT”) is defined as the teacher in
whose classroom the candidate is placed in to complete the student teaching experience. The
CT must be certified, endorsed, and/or licensed as a teacher.

{School Counseling (“SC”) Site Supervisor: The SC Site Supervisor is defined as the clinical site
supervisor in whose supervision the Candidate is placed to complete the practicum/internship
field experience expectations for school counselors in training (“SCITs”). The SC Site Supervisor
must meet the requirements as outlined in the Graduate Field Experience Manual.

( GCU Faculty Supervisor: The GCU Faculty Supervisor is defined as the GCU approved supervisor
who has oversight responsibility for the evaluation of the candidate during Student Teaching or
SC Practicum/Internships.

(_ Practicum/Field Experience: Practicum/field experiences are field-based learning opportunities
that focus on observation, application, and reflection. Practicum/field experiences require the
candidate to observe and interact in diverse, real-life educational settings, and to apply the
theories and concepts learned in program coursework.

(Student Teaching: Student teaching is the capstone experience at the end of the initial teacher
licensure program that provides candidates with the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of
knowledge and skills in a classroom setting. During the 15/16-week experience, dependent on
program of study.

( Educational Administration Internships: Educational Administration Internships are field-based
learning opportunities for candidates enrolled in an Educational Administration program leading
to principal licensure under the direct supervision of a certified school administrator.

(School Counseling (“SC”) Practicum/Internships: SC Practicum/Internships are field-based
learning opportunities for candidates enrolled in school counseling programs leading to initial
licensure under the direct supervision of a certified school counselor.

5. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DISTRICT:
5a. The District shall provide participating candidates with field placement experiences in a school
of the District under direct supervision of a host teacher (“Cooperating Teacher”), host mentor

GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY



(“Mentor”), or SC Site Supervisor that meets the minimum GCU qualification requirements as
outlined in the applicable program manual (See Appendices).
5b. The District shall ensure that the Cooperating Teacher/Mentor/SC Site Supervisor provides
oversight, feedback and mentoring to GCU’s participating candidates. Cooperating
Teacher/Mentor/SC Site Supervisor expectations are outlined in the applicable program manual.
(See Appendices.)
5c. The District shall provide the participating candidate prior to the start of the field placement
with any District policies and procedures to which the candidate is expected to adhere to during
the candidate’s field placement while on District premises.
5d. The District shall allow a GCU faculty supervisor (the “GCU Faculty Supervisor”) virtual and/or
in-person access to the host school and classroom for the specific purpose of observing the
participating candidate or consulting with the SC Site Supervisor.
5e. The District shall through the involvement of the Cooperating Teacher/Mentor/SC Site
Supervisor, communicate with the GCU Faculty Supervisor and candidate to provide feedback on
the candidate’s performance which will be used by the GCU Faculty Supervisor for completion of
the candidate’s formal evaluation.
5f. The District shall have the right to refuse a candidate for field placement or may terminate the
field placement of any candidate based upon its good faith determination that the candidate is not
meeting performance standards or is otherwise deemed unacceptable to the District. Notices of
such decisions shall be provided to GCU in writing and shall state reasons for such decisions.
5g. The District shall provide participating candidates with immediate first aid for work-related
injuries or illnesses, such as blood or body fluid exposure.
5h. The District shall promptly and thoroughly investigate any complaint by any participating
candidate or GCU regarding unlawful discrimination or harassment at the field placement site or
involving employees or agents of the field placement site and take prompt and effective remedial
action when discrimination or harassment is found to have occurred and to promptly notify GCU of
the existence and outcome of any complaint of harassment by, against or involving any
participating candidate.
5i. The District shall support the candidate in compliance with all policies of GCU that pertain to this
Agreement as outlined in the University Policy Handbook and applicable program manuals. Please
refer to the program manuals regarding recording, virtual services, and informed consent
requirements(see Appendices).
5j. The District shall comply with all federal, state, and local statutes and regulations applicable to
the performance of the Agreement.

6. RESPONSIBILITIES OF GCU:
6a. GCU shall not provide compensation to Mentors or SC Site Supervisors hosting candidates for
Practicum/Field Experiences, Educational Administration Internships, SC Practicum/Internships, or Student
Teaching in the instance where the candidate is employed as a full-time teacher of record.
6b. GCU shall pay a $500 stipend to Cooperating Teachers hosting student teaching candidates per each
15/16-week session of full-time service. Longer or shorter sessions will be paid on a pro-rated basis.
6c. GCU shall pay the stipend upon the completion of the student teaching semester provided all paperwork
has been submitted.
6d. GCU shall provide a GCU Faculty Supervisor for candidates completing the student teaching, SC
practicum/internships or educational administration internships to evaluate a candidate’s performance

GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY



through virtual and/or in-person observations. The GCU Faculty Supervisor will meet requirements and
expectations as outlined in the applicable program’s handbook.

6e. GCU shall require that all candidates who must enter a field placement site provide GCU with a current
and clear copy of a background check. GCU will prohibit candidates from moving forward in the field
placement process until this document is received.

6f. GCU shall promptly and thoroughly investigate any complaint by any participating candidate or the
District regarding unlawful discrimination or harassment at the field placement site or involving employees
or agents of the field placement site and take prompt and effective remedial action when discrimination or
harassment is found to have occurred and to promptly notify the District of the existence and outcome of
any complaint of harassment by, against or involving any participating candidate.

6g. GCU shall support the candidate in compliance with all policies of District that pertain to this
Agreement as outlined in policy handbook and applicable program manuals.

6h. GCU shall comply with all federal, state, and local statutes and regulations applicable to the performance
of the Agreement.

7. CANDIDATE COMPLIANCE WITH GCU AND DISTRICT POLICIES and PROGRAMMATIC HANDBOOKS:
Candidates accepted to the District for field placement shall be subject to all applicable policies and
regulations of the District and GCU. Prior to assignment of candidates to the District, GCU will advise
candidates of any specific requirements that must be met to participate in the applicable field placement.
These specific requirements are outlined in the applicable program manual. (See Appendices.) Failure to
complete the requirements will result in non-placement of candidates.

8. PAID POSITIONS/EMPLOYMENT: GCU does not solicit, source, or guarantee paid opportunities or
employment for candidates, GCU may allow a candidate to maintain a paid position during Student Teaching
or SC Practicum/Internship if deemed appropriate by the District and the role is in alignment to the
candidate’s university program of study, setting and coursework requirements and desired certification. The
candidate must have an appropriately certified mentor/Cooperating Teacher/SC Site Supervisor available at
the school site. Candidates requesting to hold a paid position must complete additional documentation that
requires written approval from the District. Requests to student teach or SC practicum/internship in a paid
position are reviewed by the applicable College on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed.

9. INSURANCE AND LIABILITY
9a. College of Education (Practicum/Field Experience, Student Teaching, Educational Administration
Internships): GCU will maintain in full force and effect, at its sole expense and written by carriers acceptable
to District:

( Commercial General Liability (Minimum Requirements):
Limits of Liability:
$1,000,000 Each Occurrence
$2,000,000 General Aggregate
$2,000,000 Products/Completed Operations Aggregate
$1,000,000 Personal Injury/Advertising Injury
$5,000 Medical Payments
Coverage:
Premises/Operation Liability
Medical Payments Liability
Contractual Liability
Personal Injury Liability
Independent Contractors
( Professional Liability, as related to Educational Services:

Limits of Liability:

GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY



$1,000,000 Each wrongful act
$1,000,000 Aggregate
{ Automobile Liability:
Limits of Liability:
$1,000,000 Combined Single Limit
{Sexual Abuse or Molestation Liability:
Limits of Liability:
$1,000,000 Each
$1,000,000 Aggregate

9b. College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) School Counseling: Each candidate will be
required to provide proof of his/her own professional liability insurance in the amounts of $1,000,000
per claim/$3,000,000 aggregate to the GCU field experience office.
( Commercial General Liability (Minimum Requirements):

Limits of Liability:

$1,000,000 Combined Single Limit

$2,000,000 General Aggregate

$1,000,000 Products Aggregate

$1,000,000 Personal Injury

$5,000 Medical Payments

Coverage:

Premises/Operation Liability

Medical Payments Liability

Contractual Liability

Personal Injury Liability

10. FERPA: GCU and the District agree to protect the candidate’s and/or student’s educational records in
accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C, 1232g (“FERPA”) and any applicable
policy of GCU and the District. To the extent permitted by law, GCU and the District may share information from
a candidate’s and/or student’s educational records with each other so that each can perform its respective
responsibilities under this Agreement but shall not disclose or share educational records with any third party
without the candidate’s and/or student's prior written consent.

11. CONFIDENTIALITY: GCU shall inform each participating candidate of Federal law governing the
confidentiality of District student information, including FERPA. The District shall inform each participating
candidate of any applicable State law governing the confidentiality of student information. The District shall also
inform each participating Cooperating Teacher, Mentor, or SC Site Supervisor that they are bound to maintain in
confidence, any documents or other confidential information about the participating candidate and GCU to
which they might have access. Any breach of confidentiality by a participating candidate, Cooperating Teacher,
Mentor, or SC Site Supervisor shall be grounds for immediate termination of the field placement.

12. INDEMNIFICATION AND HOLD HARMLESS: Neither party shall be responsible for personal injury or property
damage or other loss except that resulting from its own negligence or the negligence of its employees or others
for whom the party is legally responsible.

13. USE OF MARKS AND LOGOS; RIGHT OF PUBLICITY: The District hereby grants GCU the right and license to
publish and/or use District’s logos or trademarks for all purposes connected with the promotion of the
Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing license, District shall retain all right, title, and interest in and to

GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY



District’s logos and trademarks. District shall allow GCU to publicize District, the Agreement and the related
programs in all advertising, publicity, and promotion, including GCU websites, and social media. GCU’s right to
utilize District’s logos and trademarks and right of publicity will survive the termination or expiration of this
Agreement for a reasonable period of time until GCU is able to revise and update such materials, websites, and
social media.
14. ASSIGNMENT: The provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the
successors of the parties hereto. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or obligations here under may be
transferred or assigned without prior written consent of the other party.
15. NOTICES: Notices under this Agreement shall be in writing and mailed electronically, or delivered to the
parties as follows:
Grand Canyon University
COE/CHSS Affiliations
COEAffiliations@gcu.edu

Subject: Meridian School District Affiliation Agreement Notification

School/District Information
Meridian School District
214 West Laurel Road,
Bellingham, WA 98226

16. MODIFICATION OF AGREEMENT: This Agreement may be modified only by written amendment executed by
both parties.

17. TERMINATION: Either party, upon thirty (30) days written notice to the other party, may terminate this
Agreement.

18. PARTNERSHIP/JOINT VENTURE/EMPLOYEMENT: Nothing herein shall in any way be construed or intended
to create a partnership or joint venture between the parties or to create the relationship of principal and agent
between or among any of the parties. Candidates are not employees, independent contractors, or agents of
GCU. The relationship between candidates and the District shall be determined by the District according to its
policies and agreements with the candidates.

19. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR: The relationship between Cooperating Teachers (hosting College of Education
student teachers) and GCU shall be that of an independent contractor and shall not be deemed to be that of an
employer-employee relationship, joint venture, or partnership. Cooperating Teachers shall be solely responsible
for the payment of their own state and federal income tax and self-employment tax as applicable.

20. NONDISCRIMINATION: The parties shall comply with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of
the Education Amendments of 1972, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disability
Act of 1990 and the regulations related thereto. The parties will not discriminate against any individual including
but not limited to employees or applicants for employment and/or candidates because of race, religion, creed,
color, sex, age, disability, veteran status, or national origin. This section shall not apply to discrimination in
employment on the basis of religion that is specifically exempt under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C.
§2000 e).

21, GOVERNING LAW: This Agreement shall be governed in all respects, whether as to validity, construction,
capacity, performance, or otherwise, by the laws of the State of Arizona, without giving effect to its conflict of
laws rules. Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be
settled by confidential arbitration under the Rules for Commercial Arbitration of the American Arbitration
Association, by one arbitrator reasonably familiar with the business pertaining to the services covered by the
Agreement, appointed in accordance with such Rules. The arbitrator shall apply the laws of the State of Arizona
to the merits of any dispute or claim. Judgment on the award entered by the arbitrator may be entered in any
court having jurisdiction thereof.

GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY



In witness whereof, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their
respective officials thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.

Grand Canyon University

By:
Signature
Name: Dr, Meredith Critchfield

Title: Dean, College of Education

Date: 4/26/2024

Signature
Naf™me: Dr. Anna Edgeston

Title: Assistant Dean of College of
Humanities and Social Sciences

Date: 4/26/2024

Meridian School District

By:
Signature
Name:

Title:

Date:

GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY


Appendices

GCU University Policy Handbook (UPH)
University Policy Handbook

College of Education (COE) Appendix

clinical-field-experience-handbook-all-programs.pdf (gcu.edu

student-teaching-manual-all-programs.pdf (gcu.edu)

master-education-admin-internship-manual (1).pdf (gcu.edu

College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) Appendix
College-of-Humanities-and-Social-Sciences-Graduate-Field-Experience-Manual_9.1.2023.pdf (gcu.edu

GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY