Field Directors

In our program, the field instructor completes the student's final evaluation, which accounts for 500 of the 1,000 points in the field course. We calculate the score by averaging the evaluation ratings and converting it to a score out of 500 points. However, due to the subjective nature of the ratings, strong students sometimes receive calculated scores that result in lower grades than the field instructor intended. We have used a 50-point curve in recent years, but that has introduced additional subjectivity across liaisons.

For programs where the internship and field seminar are combined into one graded course, how do you translate the field instructor's final evaluation into the student's course grade?

Thanks for any insight you can give!

Hi Jennifer! 

We use a 60/40 split. 60% comes from the FI grade and 40% comes from FIS participation and assignments. Our Field Liaisons (or whoever teaches the FIS) have the liberty to adjust the FI grade if needed. 

We also do not tie the grade to the competency evaluation. We have a separate grading sheet (which includes 6 weighted categories) for the final semester FI grade. 

Hope that helps! 

In our program, the field instructor completes the student's final evaluation, which accounts for 500 of the 1,000 points in the field course. We calculate the score by averaging the evaluation ratings and converting it to a score out of 500 points. However, due to the subjective nature of the ratings, strong students sometimes receive calculated scores that result in lower grades than the field instructor intended. We have used a 50-point curve in recent years, but that has introduced additional subjectivity across liaisons.

For programs where the internship and field seminar are combined into one graded course, how do you translate the field instructor's final evaluation into the student's course grade?

Thanks for any insight you can give!

Hi Aimee,

This is very helpful!  Would you be willing to share the separate grading sheet?

Thanks!

Jennifer Schermerhorn, LCSW

Clinical Associate Professor/Director of Graduate Field Education

College of Health and Human Services

Salisbury University School of Social Work

1101 Camden Ave

Salisbury, MD 21801

TETC 254K

410-548-3563

Hi Jennifer! 

We use a 60/40 split. 60% comes from the FI grade and 40% comes from FIS participation and assignments. Our Field Liaisons (or whoever teaches the FIS) have the liberty to adjust the FI grade if needed. 

We also do not tie the grade to the competency evaluation. We have a separate grading sheet (which includes 6 weighted categories) for the final semester FI grade. 

Hope that helps! 

In our program, the field instructor completes the student's final evaluation, which accounts for 500 of the 1,000 points in the field course. We calculate the score by averaging the evaluation ratings and converting it to a score out of 500 points. However, due to the subjective nature of the ratings, strong students sometimes receive calculated scores that result in lower grades than the field instructor intended. We have used a 50-point curve in recent years, but that has introduced additional subjectivity across liaisons.

For programs where the internship and field seminar are combined into one graded course, how do you translate the field instructor's final evaluation into the student's course grade?

Thanks for any insight you can give!

Aloha Jennifer

Sure - here are the grading categories and weights. We have the form set up in Exxat but this is a screenshot from a presentation we did a few years ago. Let me know if it comes through ok.

Hi Aimee,

This is very helpful!  Would you be willing to share the separate grading sheet?

Thanks!

Jennifer Schermerhorn, LCSW

Clinical Associate Professor/Director of Graduate Field Education

College of Health and Human Services

Salisbury University School of Social Work

1101 Camden Ave

Salisbury, MD 21801

TETC 254K

410-548-3563

Hi Jennifer! 

We use a 60/40 split. 60% comes from the FI grade and 40% comes from FIS participation and assignments. Our Field Liaisons (or whoever teaches the FIS) have the liberty to adjust the FI grade if needed. 

We also do not tie the grade to the competency evaluation. We have a separate grading sheet (which includes 6 weighted categories) for the final semester FI grade. 

Hope that helps! 

In our program, the field instructor completes the student's final evaluation, which accounts for 500 of the 1,000 points in the field course. We calculate the score by averaging the evaluation ratings and converting it to a score out of 500 points. However, due to the subjective nature of the ratings, strong students sometimes receive calculated scores that result in lower grades than the field instructor intended. We have used a 50-point curve in recent years, but that has introduced additional subjectivity across liaisons.

For programs where the internship and field seminar are combined into one graded course, how do you translate the field instructor's final evaluation into the student's course grade?

Thanks for any insight you can give!

In our program, the field instructor completes the student's final evaluation, which accounts for 500 of the 1,000 points in the field course. We calculate the score by averaging the evaluation ratings and converting it to a score out of 500 points. However, due to the subjective nature of the ratings, strong students sometimes receive calculated scores that result in lower grades than the field instructor intended. We have used a 50-point curve in recent years, but that has introduced additional subjectivity across liaisons.

For programs where the internship and field seminar are combined into one graded course, how do you translate the field instructor's final evaluation into the student's course grade?

Thanks for any insight you can give!

Hi Jennifer,

Our seminar class and practicum are tied together and we talked about this a lot----still not sure if we will end up changing it or not.  However, we have the grade as a 50/50 split (honestly, we could use a 60/40 or even a 70/30 split because the student would still need an 80 or better to pass the class)--you can't earn more than 50 points in seminar and you can't earn more than 50 points in practicum---so the student has to pass both parts in order to pass seminar. Also, our seminar class is a Pass/No Credit, although student's still need a B- or better with their assignments, to pass.  Students receive either 30 points or 0 points for the end of the semester performance eval.  If the student scores a 3 (competent) or above (using Likert scale 1-5) in all 9 competencies, then they get a 30/30.  If they score all 1s (they get a 0/30).  They would also earn a 0 if the student was terminated from the internship. There is a lot of gray in there --so we also look at improvement-- if the student went from not doing well at all, and then ended up with a "2", and the comments show continued strengths and success in most other areas--we may move forward with a passing grade but integrate a performance improvement plan to start the next semester.  We may also choose to meet more often with the student/agency or even observe a few supervisions between the student and field instructor. With all of that being said, our faculty have final say over the final grade, regardless of the eval.    Good luck!

In our program, the field instructor completes the student's final evaluation, which accounts for 500 of the 1,000 points in the field course. We calculate the score by averaging the evaluation ratings and converting it to a score out of 500 points. However, due to the subjective nature of the ratings, strong students sometimes receive calculated scores that result in lower grades than the field instructor intended. We have used a 50-point curve in recent years, but that has introduced additional subjectivity across liaisons.

For programs where the internship and field seminar are combined into one graded course, how do you translate the field instructor's final evaluation into the student's course grade?

Thanks for any insight you can give!