The primary objective of this descriptive study was to garner a clearer understanding of how judgements are made by supervisors regarding the success or failure of student teachers. The secondary objectives were: (1) to identify what criteria are used to make decisions about the success or failure of student teachers; (2) to determine if these criteria change in emphasis over the duration of the student teaching experience, and (3) to determine if some criteria are deleted, added, or new labels attached. The research model used open-ended interviews with four experienced, practicing supervisors of student teachers to plot three composites of their thoughts on individual circles periodically throughout the semester. Their concentric circles provided a cause map, or idea schema, used by supervisors for decision making. Analysis of data did suggest criteria used and a shift in priority of criteria during the term. The research model seems to have potential for gathering data not usually obtained. (Author)