Diversity FAQ
  • Is there a requirement for working with diverse populations that I must complete?
    Yes, you have an opportunity to complete your diversity requirements through your three field experiences: 45-hour Pre-Professional Experience, Pre-Student Teaching Experience, and Student Teaching.

  • Why are the requirements for working with diverse populations an important part of the field experience?
    In the United States, due to pressures in economics, migration of populations, and health care, there is an increased need to better prepare future teachers for these changes in the classroom as well as respond to parents' expectations that teachers and schools meet the needs of their child. In an effort to provide a quality education and a meaningful experience for students, Central Michigan University is committed to diversity as a core value in program development.

  • How do I document the requirements related to my work with diverse populations?
    • 45-Hour Pre-Professional Experience- "45-Hour Pre-Professional Experience Verification Form." Please note you must obtain a minimum of 30 hours in one school to obtain any diversity categories.
    • Pre-Student Teaching Experience - "Pre-Student Teaching Placement Verification" assignment completed during the pre-student teaching experience on Blackboard.
    • Additional Hours Experience Verification form (This form is used by students to document hours and diversity who wish to fulfill diversity requirements in an experience not related to pre-student teaching or student teaching..)
    • Student Teaching Experience - The diversity categories will be updated by the student teaching office at the end of the field experience.
      •     * These forms are available on the CSS web site under " Forms" or may be obtained at the reception desk in EHS 421.

  • How will the completion of field experiences with diverse populations be recorded for fulfillment of program requirements?
    The completion of the diversity requirements will be recorded on your personal Student Information (SI) Sheet located within the CSS web site. You can access your SI Sheet as follows:
  • I have the race/ethnicity category to fulfill and I am student teaching next term. Where I want to student teach will not fill this requirement. What should I do?
    First, take a look at where you did your pre-professional and pre-student teaching hours. When looking at those two prior field experiences, consider the specific make up of the individual classes. Did an individual class have 20% or more non-white students? If so, you can petition for classroom ethnicity and meet that specific category through an individual class. The Classroom Diversity Request Form must be filled out and given to either the pre-student teaching coordinator or director of student teaching to confirm the request.
    Also while looking at your pre-professional hours, if you have less than 30 hours at a school that meets the categories you need to fulfill, you may want to explore the possibility of returning to that school to do additional hours to reach the 30 hour requirement for that school to count toward your diversity.

  • Do the ten hours of observation I completed in EDU 107 count toward diversity?
    Your ten observation hours from EDU 107 can count toward diversity if you complete an additional 20 hours at the same school. You would need to fill out a 45 Hour Pre-Professional Observation Form documenting the 20 hours, and attach the signed attendence sheet from your ten hours of observation through EDU 107.

  • My classroom did not meet the ethnicity and I still need to fulfill this category. Any other suggestions?
    You can do an additional 30 hour placement to fulfill any category not already complete. If you are living in Mt. Pleasant and want to get this done before you student teach make sure you check the diversity chart online to confirm what school will meet your need. Once you choose your school, arrangements can be made to begin your additional field hours. Please follow the guidelines under the link "Observation hours help."

  • What if I can't get my hours done before student teaching? Does that mean I can't graduate?
    You will be able to graduate without your diversity categories complete, but Central Michigan University will not be able to confirm your certification to the state for your teaching certificate until all diversity requirements are met. You can complete this after student teaching but it is recommended that you get this done prior to graduation.

  • Any other suggestions on how to get these diversity requirements met?
    If you are thinking about trying to complete needed diversity categories during your student teaching, but your student teaching school does not meet the needed categories, you might consider these options: 
    • Check you school district for any days off. For example, you might have the first day of deer season off and you could be excused from attending. 
    • Find as may non-teaching days during your school calendar that might allow you to obtain hours at a district that fulfills the category or categories you are missing. If you can get some hours in prior to the end of the term, you might be able to finish up the hours right after you are done student teaching. If you are student teaching in spring, one other option might be during spring break of your host school. Most likely, you will be able to find another school not on spring break that will meet your needed categories. If so, you can attend that other school when you are on spring break from student teaching.

  • How could I have avoided this dilemma of not having my requirements done and student teaching not meeting my last couple of categories?
    It is always a good thing to think ahead and try to plan on meeting your most difficult diversity categories during your pre-professional hours. The pre-student teaching field hours will meet some of your diversity, but please note the Mt. Pleasant area will not meet urban and often will not meet race/ethnicity. If you desire to drive to an urban location during your field hours, you must be sure to make the pre-student teaching coordinator aware of your needed categories by using the additional information section when filling out your pre-student teaching placement forms. You can also do an additional 30 hour placement anytime during your time at CMU. A good opportunity to obtain a 30 hour additional placement is when CMU ends the term in early May. Most schools are still in session until the end of May or early June. Many schools will welcome students at this time and appreciate the extra set of hands in the classroom. The CSS advisors are here to help you with any diversity issues. Please don't hesitate to contact an advisor for further information.