• In order to comply with Pennsylvania School Law and adhere to our district partner's policies, Penn State Harrisburg requires valid, updated clearances on file prior to the start of any semester where a teacher candidate will engage in work with minors. Thus, clearances are required for the following students:

    • All students enrolled in CI 295 or EDUC 313

    • All Elementary Education majors

    • All SESST majors

    • All students in undergraduate or post-baccalaureate Secondary Education programs for English, Math, or Social Studies

  • Teacher candidates will not be permitted to enter the field until all five required documents are submitted and reviewed. Failure to submit the required clearances by the stated deadlines may result in a delayed field experience, the loss of a secured field placement, and/or disciplinary action.

  • Clearances and TB test results will ONLY be accepted through the Clearance Canvas titled Clearance Submission for Teacher Education. Clearances submitted in any other manner will not be accepted.

  • Background clearances are valid for one year and cannot turn one year old during a semester. Please note that TB tests must be dated within 90 days of the first day in the field.

  • In addition to the required federal and state clearances, a Waiver to Release Medical and Clearance Records is required by PSH to participate in a field experience.

  • Only PDFs will be accepted via the Clearance Canvas. Please be sure that the PDF captures all necessary information and is easy to read.

  • Clearances are due the first week in August for the Fall semester and the first week in January for the Spring semester. We strongly suggest this time frame for background clearances to cover two academic semesters.

  • Clearances must be clear (no record) and valid (do not expire) for the entire semester during which there is a field experience.

  • Clearances are required prior to working with minors in any capacity for any amount of time as a PSH student. Teacher candidates must obtain clear background checks before entering any public or private schools in Pennsylvania for the purpose of completing educational field experiences and student teaching.

  • Keep originals of all clearances accessible while attending field placements. You may be asked at any time by staff in schools to produce original documents. You are expected to comply.

  • Failure to submit the required clearances by the stated deadlines may result in a delayed field experience, the loss of a secured field placement, inability to successfully complete a course with a field, and/or disciplinary action.

  • In the event you have arrests or convictions on any clearance document, you are required to make an appointment with the Clinical Coordinator to discuss continuation in the teacher education program. You should not report to any field experience site without first meeting with the Clinical Coordinator.

  • In the event, you receive an arrest or conviction during your time in a course with a field component, you are expected to contact the Clinical Coordinator within 72 hours of the incident.

  • Be sure to review all of the information included in the Clearance Canvas thoroughly. After you have done so, if you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to Ms. Jessica Stephens, Clinical and Field Coordinator at [email protected].

Flowchart: Do you need to submit clearances for Fall 2021?

 

Download clearances' flowchart as PDF

Flow Chart image Do you need to submit clearances for Fall 2021? - see outline after image

Flowchart Outline Description

Title: "Do you need to submit clearances for fall 2021?"

Top of chart begins Q1: Are you taking a course with a Field Experience in fall 2021?

Q2: Do you have existing Clearances?

Q4: Is the issue date on the clearance December 10, 2020 or after?

Q5: Have you uploaded required clearances by August 9, 2021?

Q6: Are all assignments marked as ‘complete’ in the Clearance Canvas?

  • If yes, then you have successfully submitted the clearances required for a field experience in fall 2021.
  • If no, then Review comments made on incomplete assignments and review modules in Clearance Canvas to determine necessary steps to complete the assignments.

Q3: Are you anticipating enrolling in a course for spring 2022?

Q7: Do you have existing clearances?

Q8: Is the issue date on your clearances May 6, 2021 or after?

Q9: Have you uploaded required clearances by January 3, 2022?

Q11: Are all assignments marked as "complete" in the Clearance Canvas?

  • If yes, then you have successfully submitted the clearances required for a field experience in spring 2022.
  • If no, then review comments made on incomplete assignments and review modules in Clearance Canvas to determine necessary steps to complete the assignments.

Fall 2021 Clearance Submission Deadline: August 9, 2021
Spring 2022 Clearance Submission Deadline: January 3, 2022