Admission and placement of student teachers, conditions of student teaching and the dismissal of student teachers from their field experience are frequently cited areas of legal concern for cooperating teachers, school jurisdictions and teacher preparation programs (Karanxha and Zirkel 2008). Cooperating teachers must be aware of the liability of student teachers in their care and ensure that student teachers are acting within the scope of their assigned duties and acting without malicious intent (Henry & Weber, 2016).

Although more information on liability can be found in The Teaching Profession section of this website, cooperating teachers are reminded to review the following topics found in Copyright Infringement and Privacy Rights and Substitute Teaching While in the Field, as well as the E-liability brochure from the ATA.