BSW Grades & Evaluations
GRADES
The student’s letter grade for field education incorporates a grade for field placement given by the field supervisor and a grade for the field integrative seminar given by the faculty liaison. 50% of the final grade is determined by the student’s performance in the field and 50% of the final grade is determined by the student’s performance in the seminar. Assigning the final grade is the responsibility of the faculty liaison. Although the final grade represents a 50/50 split between field and seminar, the faculty liaison has the discretion to lower a student’s final grade for: (1) failure to turn in on time all time sheets, the learning contract (Individualized Partnership Plan), assignments, or any additional course requirements; (2) failure to complete any assignment or a course requirement; (3) failure to attend and/or participate in field seminar;
(4) inconsistencies in student performance between field placement and field seminar; and
(5) failure to complete the minimum of 400 field placement hours.
A grade of “C” or better in SW 4500 is required for continuation into SW 4900. If a student has taken a social work core course with SW 4500, the student must earn a “C” or better in this course for continuation in SW 4900- Field Education II as well. A grade of “F” represents a failed field education course. Students who fall below the minimum standards set forth by the School of Social Work will be subject to academic review. Academic review may result in re-enrollment in the field education course, academic probation, or dismissal from the social work program (see Student Handbook).
An “I” (incomplete) may be granted to a student with extenuating circumstances as approved by the field director. A student who is failing field education may not receive an “I” grade. According to the GSU Undergraduate Catalog:
The notation of “I” may be given to a student who for nonacademic reasons beyond his or her control is unable to meet the full requirements of a course. In order to qualify for an “I,” a student must:
(a) have completed most of the major assignments of the course (generally all but one) and
(b) be earning a passing grade in the course (aside from the assignments not completed) in the judgment of the instructor.
When a student has a nonacademic reason for not completing one or more of the assignments for a course, including examinations, and wishes to receive an incomplete for the course, it is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor in person or in writing of the reason. A grade of incomplete is awarded at the discretion of the instructor and is not the prerogative of the student. Conditions to be met for removing a grade of incomplete are established by the instructor.
If a student must withdraw from SW 4500 or SW 4900, the student must follow University procedures as outlined in the “Withdrawal from Classes (including Hardship Status)” section of the Undergraduate Catalog. If a student withdraws from field education, the student may not be assigned to the same agency upon re-entry. Re-entry may be limited to a space-available basis.
FIELD SUPERVISOR’S EVALUATION OF STUDENT
Evaluation of the student is an on-going process. A student continually receives feedback on his/her performance from the field supervisor, task supervisor (where appropriate), and assigned faculty liaison. Written evaluations completed by the field supervisor are required three times during the two-semester field placement. A mid-term evaluation of the student is required during the first semester in placement and a final evaluation is due at the end of each semester [link: BSW evaluations]. The field supervisor is responsible for completing each written evaluation in a timely manner, discussing the completed instrument with the student and obtaining the student’s signature on the final page. It is the student’s responsibility for handing the evaluations in to the faculty liaison by the due date. The due dates for the evaluations are found on the Academic Calendar.
The field supervisor is asked to grade the student on field performance as part of the end-of-semester final evaluation. The field supervisor’s grade accounts for 50% of the overall grade each semester. The following criteria shall be used in the determination of a student’s final field placement grade:
A 90-100
Represents excellent work. The student demonstrates superior abilities in field. The student is almost always consistent in his/her field performance and in meeting the educational objectives.
B 80-89
Represents good work. The student demonstrates solid, above average progress in field. The student is consistent in his/her field performance and in meeting the educational objectives.
C 70-79
Represents average work. The student demonstrates satisfactory work. The student is somewhat consistent in his/her field performance and in meeting educational objectives.
F less than 69
Represents failing work. The student has demonstrated incompetence in his/her field performance. The student has not met field expectations and educational objectives.
FACULTY LIAISON’S EVALUATION OF STUDENT
As part of the faculty liaison role, the designated faculty member is responsible for assigning the student’s field seminar grade each semester. This includes evaluating the student’s course assignments and final paper, completion of the learning outcomes as set forth in the Individualized Partnership Plan, and the successful completion of any additional field integrative seminar requirements. The liaison’s responsibility for the field seminar grade is in addition to his/her responsibility for assigning the final field education grade each semester.
50% of the overall field education grade is determined by the student’s performance in field seminar. The following criteria shall be used in determining the student’s seminar grade:
SW 4500- Generalist Field Education I (Fall):
- Attendance/Participation 30%
- Critical Thinking Monthly Writing Assignments 20%
- In-Service Activity and Reflection 10%
- Ethical Dilemma Presentation 10%
- Organizational/Agency Analysis Presentation 20%
- Field Portfolio 10%
SW 4900- Generalist Field Education II (Spring):
- Attendance/Participation 30%
- Field Colloquium 10%
- Critical Thinking Monthly Writing Assignments 20%
- Case Presentation 20%
- Career Exploration Assignment 10%
- Field Portfolio 10%