/Institutions/MGH-Institute-of-Health-Professions/json/Current/OTD-EL-Program-Manual-local.json

/Institutions/MGH-Institute-of-Health-Professions/json/Current/OTD-EL-Program-Manual.json

EL-OTD Program Manual > Part IV: Fieldwork Education Policies and Procedures > Grades and Performance Evaluation > Evaluations of Student Performance

Evaluations of Student Performance

Assessment of Level I Fieldwork:

Level I Fieldwork courses are graded on a pass/fail basis. Criteria for grading are outlined in the individual course syllabus.

To pass the Level I Fieldwork course, students must achieve a grade of 80% or higher and meet all course requirements as outlined in the syllabus. If a student does not meet these requirements, a remediation plan will be implemented by the course faculty-on-record to support student success. Remediation plans provide clear expectations, targeted feedback, and structured opportunities for improvement. Successful completion of the remediation plan within the established timeframe is required to earn a passing grade; failure to meet remediation expectations will result in a course failure.

Level I Fieldwork courses are paired with associated didactic coursework and are designed as integrated learning experiences. A passing grade in the associated didactic course is required to earn a passing grade in the corresponding Level I Fieldwork course, regardless of fieldwork performance. If a student does not pass the associated didactic course, the Level I Fieldwork course will not be awarded a passing grade and must be repeated alongside the didactic course. Remediation in the fieldwork course does not override this requirement.

 

 

OT 760: Fieldwork Seminar	N/A
OT 761: Level II Fieldwork I (Summer 3)	N/A
OT 762: Level II Fieldwork II (Fall 4)	N/A

Assessment of Level II Fieldwork:

Student performance during Level II fieldwork is primarily evaluated using the AOTA Fieldwork Performance Evaluation (FWPE), which is completed by the student’s fieldwork educator(s) and reflects demonstration of entry-level competence. To successfully pass Level II fieldwork, students must meet the minimum criteria outlined in the AOTA FWPE Scoring Guide. In rare and exceptional circumstances, the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFWC), in consultation with the fieldwork educator(s) and program leadership, may review additional relevant information when making a final determination regarding successful completion of a Level II fieldwork experience. Such determinations are made at the discretion of the program, are not guaranteed, and do not establish precedent for future fieldwork evaluations.

In addition to the FWPE, students are responsible for completing all required course assignments as outlined in the course syllabi.

The Midterm FWPE serves as a formative assessment to identify strengths, areas for growth, and performance trends at the midpoint of the fieldwork experience. There is no minimum passing score required at midterm, and students are not formally passed or failed at this stage. Clinical sites retain the authority to terminate a fieldwork experience at any time based on professional judgment, regardless of midterm FWPE scores. While there is no passing threshold at midterm, any score of “1” on the FWPE is considered clinically significant and indicates unsatisfactory performance requiring immediate review. In such cases, the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFWC) will review the evaluation in collaboration with the fieldwork educator to clarify concerns, determine whether a success plan or other remediation is indicated, and ensure that expectations and required improvements are clearly communicated to the student.

Fieldwork educator narrative comments and observed performance patterns are also critical in evaluating student progress. The absence of a score of “1” does not independently indicate satisfactory performance or confirm that a student is on track for successful completion. Qualitative feedback identifying concerns related to safety, professional behaviors, communication, responsiveness to feedback, or clinical reasoning may also prompt AFWC review and the implementation of a learning contract or other support measures.

Students may not progress from OT 761 to OT 762, or from OT 762 to the Advanced Doctoral Experience, until all course requirements have been met and a final grade has been submitted.