Criminal History Background Checks

Instructors:

1. Ensure all students in course complete and submit the correct criminal history background check form per district instructions.
2. Notify students one to two weeks before class begins that your course has a required field experience and that they must submit a criminal history form per District Specific Field Experience Instructions.
3. Review the criminal history forms and instructions for selected course school district(s) with students during first class period of semester.
   • Instruct students to complete background check information and district application using the exact name under which their state identification is listed including hyphenations.
   • Any discrepancy between a student’s name according to UHCL records and that which is on his or her driver’s license or state-issued identification will delay or deny field experience approval.
   • Instruct students to notify you of any discrepancy between UHCL and state records.
   • Any student not present at the first-class meeting should be contacted within 24 hours to complete the criminal history background check requirements for selected field experience district.
4. Online Submissions
   • Complete the online forms during the first night of or within the first week of class.
   • Save/print the completed form and email verifying successful submission.
   • Advise students to save a copy for their records.
   • Do not submit information that has not been requested by the district. 
5. Hard-Copy Submissions (not online)
   • Complete criminal history background check forms in BLACK INK ONLY-no pencil.
   • Forms must be LEGIBLE.
   • Forms must be COMPLETE.  i.e. the social security number is the most frequently overlooked item.
   • Forms may be faxed, emailed, or turned in personally to instructor.
   • Do not submit information that has not been requested by the district.
6. Contact your Department Suite Secretary with questions.
7. All communications will be between instructors, suite secretaries and CPDT Office.  Students are not to contact school districts or the CPDT Office.
8. Instructors observing students on a district school campus will be required to sign in and present a driver’s license or state-issued ID.

Students:

1. Texas requires school districts allowing observers onto their campuses to conduct a criminal history background check on every student doing a field experience in conjunction with a course, regardless of current employment. There are no exceptions.
2. Every student, even if employed by, or a student teacher within the district, must complete the district’s application and undergo its background check.
3. Complete background check information and district application using the exact name under which your state identification is listed including hyphenations, jr, etc.
4. Notify instructor of any discrepancy between UHCL and state records.
5. Some districts notify students of eligibility status directly.  Students must notify instructors when they receive eligibility information from the school district
6. Students are not contact the district unless instructed to do so.
7. Online Application Submission
   • Complete the online forms during the first night of class or within the first week of classes.
   • Follow the online instructions as outlined.
   • Print the completed documents and confirmation of successful submission for your records.
   • Notify instructor when online submission is complete.
   • Do not submit completed documents to instructor unless requested.
8. Hard Copy Application Submission
   • Complete forms in BLACK INK ONLY-no pencil.
   • Forms must be LEGIBLE.
   • Forms must be COMPLETE.  i.e. the social security number is the most frequently overlooked item.
   • Submit forms to the instructor by the instructor’s deadline.
9. Students must successfully complete ALL district requirements for application and background checks before their field experience request will be considered by the district.