Background Check
Prior to placement in any school setting for any field experience, a
student must apply for a Missouri State Highway Patrol/Missouri
Department of Social Services Request for Child Abuse or
Neglect/Criminal Record Background Check (name search option) and
authorize the release of the background check results to Central
Methodist College and school districts in which the student is
requesting placement for any field experience. The Criminal History
Record Report is valid for one calendar year only and must be repeated
each calendar year for which field experience placements are required.
Child Abuse or Neglect/Criminal Record background checks will normally
be completed at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters for all
students enrolled in courses with field experience components. All costs
of the Child Abuse or Neglect/Criminal Record background check are the
sole responsibility of the student. Only official "Database Reviews’
provided by appropriate state agencies will be accepted; unofficial
copies are not acceptable.
Failure or refusal to complete and sign a form for Child Abuse or
Neglect/Criminal Records Background Check in a timely manner (within 14
working days for the first official day of the semester) may be
considered grounds for immediate dismissal from the Teacher Education
program, denial of access to field experiences, or denial of
recommendation for certification.
"Open" records obtained from the Missouri Criminal Record Repository and
information from the Missouri Division of Family Services’ Central
Registry are defined as convictions, guilt pleas entered, charges
pending, arrests less than thirty days old, and suspended imposition of
sentence during probation. "Closed" records are defined as charges not
filed, not prosecuted, dismissed, or subject found not guilty or
suspended imposition of sentence after probation.
Open records, as defined above, reported on the criminal history
received from the state of Missouri, shall constitute grounds for
verification and explanation by the student. Closed records shall not be
investigated further. Students will be notified of reported open records
by registered mail. Verification and explanation shall take the form of
a notarized statement written and signed by the candidate and delivered
to the Chair of Teacher Education office within 10 working days of
return receipt of the notification letter. The verification and
explanation includes, but not limited to a description of the incident(s),
the circumstances surrounding the incident(s), and a personal statement
from the student about the outcome of the incident(s). Verification and
explanation statements shall be forwarded to the Teacher Education
Committee for review and disposition, which may include recommendation
for dismissal from the Teacher Education program, denial of access to
field experiences, or denial of recommendation for certification.
Students have the right to appeal the decision of the Teacher Education
Committee. The appeal shall be reviewed by the Vice President & Dean of
the College and Vice President for Enrollment & Student Development for
Undergraduate Studies and Student Services.
All open records as well as student verification and explanation
statements and disposition recommendations from the Teacher Education
Committee will be forwarded upon written request to the receiving school
district(s) where placement for field experience is being made. In the
event that a school district declines the placement, the student shall
be notified in writing by the Department Chair. If a student whose
request for placement has been declined by the receiving school district
for reasons related to reported open records, the Department Chair will
assist in locating acceptable field experience placements for the
student.
A student who transfers into a Teacher Education program and who has not
been a resident of the state of Missouri for at least one year shall be
required to obtain a Child Abuse or Neglect and Criminal Record
Background record check in the state of previous residence at his/her
own expense. Results of the out-of-state background record check(s)
shall be forwarded directly to the Teacher Education Office. Guidelines
for dealing with reported incidents shall follow those established for
Missouri background record checks.
