Ariz. Admin. Code § 7-2-604.02

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 35, August 30, 2024

Section R7-2-604.02 - Educator Preparation Program Approval Procedures

A. Professional preparation institutions with no Board approved educator preparation programs, seeking initial approval for an educator preparation program shall submit to the Department the information necessary to conduct a readiness review of the professional preparation institution. The Department shall prescribe forms to assist professional preparation institutions with providing all information required as part of the readiness review process. The required information, includes the following:

1. An institutional profile demonstrating program and financial stability, a description of the educator preparation program seeking approval, a listing of national or regional accreditations the institution's governance and administrative structures and student demographic data.

2. A description of the professional preparation institution's vision, mission, philosophy and goals, and a description of how this information is shared with students, relevant staff and other relevant stakeholders.

3. Data regarding the professional preparation institution's relevant staff, including the following:

a. Demographic data relating to the relevant staff for each educator preparation program seeking approval, including, at a minimum, educational degrees, staff to student ratio, experience teaching in a PreK through 12 setting, and, if available, ethnicity and gender data.

b. Definitions of titles and clarification of roles of individuals responsible for courses, seminars, or modules of study; field experiences; capstone experiences; and administration.

c. A description of the professional preparation institution's employment policies, including procedures for determining staff assignments, evaluation procedures and professional development opportunities and requirements.

B. The Department shall provide professional preparation institutions written notification, within 60 days of receiving readiness review materials, either indicating readiness to submit educator preparation programs for review or specifying any deficiencies. The institution has 30 days from receipt of the notice to supply the Department with all required information regarding identified deficiencies.

C. The Department shall initiate a review of the specific educator preparation programs being considered for Board approval. The Department shall prescribe forms to assist institutions with providing all information required as part of the educator preparation programs review. Professional Preparation Institutions with accreditation may submit accreditation documentation to be considered as part of the review process. To facilitate this review, institutions shall provide the Department with the following:

1. A description of the educator preparation programs being considered for Board approval. This shall include, at a minimum, the criteria for student entry into the program; a summary of the program courses, seminars, or modules of study; field experiences; and capstone experiences. The professional preparation institution must verify that it requires courses, seminars, or modules of study necessary to obtain a full Structured English Immersion endorsement if required for the certificate the candidate is seeking.

2. A description of the field experience and capstone experience policies for the educator preparation programs being considered for Board approval. The review team shall verify that the field experience and capstone experience includes evidence of engagement in the application of relevant standards as articulated in the Board approved professional teaching standards or professional administrative standards and relevant national standards. Educator preparation programs applying for approval in school psychology and guidance counseling shall only be required to demonstrate compliance with applicable national standards.

3. Evidence that candidates are provided instruction and practice in how to gather, evaluate, and synthesize multiple data sources and how to effectively use data in educational and classroom instructional decisions.

4. Provide the Department with evidence that candidates are provided instruction and practice in how to appropriately integrate technology when working with students.

5. A description of the assessment plan for measuring each candidate's competencies as they progress through courses, seminars, or modules of study and field experiences to ensure readiness for a capstone experience. The plan shall require, at a minimum, that candidates demonstrate competencies as articulated in the Board approved professional teaching standards or professional administrative standards, relevant Board approved academic standards, and relevant national standards. The plan shall also describe processes for utilizing performance-based assessments and for providing candidates with necessary remediation. Programs applying for approval in school psychology and guidance counseling shall only be required to demonstrate compliance with relevant national standards.

6. A description of the procedures used to monitor and evaluate the operation, scope and quality of the educator preparation program being considered for approval. This shall include the use of internal and external evaluations, and may include stakeholder surveys, program completer employment information, and PreK through 12 student achievement data.

7. An educator preparation program matrices demonstrating that program course, seminar, or module assessments, field experiences and capstone experiences measure candidates' success in meeting the Board approved professional teaching standards or professional administrative standards, and relevant national standards. Educator preparation programs applying for approval in school psychology and guidance counseling shall only be required to demonstrate compliance with relevant national standards.

8. A plan for how the education preparation program will notify and assist program participants and partner schools if the educator preparation program closes.

D. The Department may schedule and conduct an onsite visit upon completion of the educator preparation programs review for professional preparation institutions seeking initial approval. The onsite visit may include a tour of the professional preparation institution; a review of documentation and related evidence; and interviews of relevant staff, educator candidates, and local education agency, private agency or other PreK through 12 administrators who employ program completers.

E. Upon completion of the review, and onsite review if applicable, the Department shall, within 90 days, provide the professional preparation institution with a program report of the Department's findings. This report shall cite any evidence showing deviation from each relevant standard Board approved professional teaching standard, professional administrative standard, and relevant national standard that applies to the educator preparation program. The professional preparation institution shall have 30 days from receipt of the Department's program report to submit a response addressing any identified deficiencies.

F. Based upon the Department's program report, the Department shall recommend to the Board that the educator preparation program be approved or denied.

G. The Board may grant educator preparation program approval for a period not to exceed six years or deny program approval.

H. Within 60 days of the Board's action, a professional preparation institution may request reconsideration of the Board's decision to deny an educator preparation program.

I. Professional preparation institutions with Board approval shall make available to the public a statement indicating the valid period for which the educator preparation program has been approved.

J. Professional preparation institutions with Board approved educator preparation programs shall comply with the reporting requirements established by Title II of the Higher Education Act (P.L. 110-315) .

K. Each approved professional preparation institution shall submit a biennial report with the Department documenting educator preparation program activities for the previous two years. The biennial report shall include the following:

1. A description of any substantive changes in courses, seminars, modules, assessments, field experiences or capstone experiences in Board approved educator preparation programs;

2. Electronic access to relevant educator preparation program information;

3. The name, title and original signature of the certification officer for the professional preparation institution;

4. Relevant data on the educator preparation program, relevant staff, and candidates, which may include, but is not limited to, stakeholder surveys, completer data, and student achievement data required as a condition of initial or continuing program approval.

L. The Department shall provide annual updates to the Board and make publicly available information summarizing the biennial reports to include, but not limited to, program status, deficiencies, and commendations.

M. Board approved educator preparation programs shall provide their program completers with an institutional recommendation for issuance of the appropriate Arizona certification within 45 days.

N. To maintain Board educator preparation program approval, the professional preparation institution shall be in continuous operation and training candidates in accordance with its mission and program objectives, fulfill all reporting requirements, and maintain compliance with all applicable local, state, tribal and federal requirements.

O. The Department shall provide a timeline for professional preparation institutions to submit educator preparation programs for approval.

P. Professional preparation Institutions seeking renewal of educator preparation program approval shall submit the required preliminary documents for review at least six month prior to the program expiration date.

Ariz. Admin. Code § R7-2-604.02

New Section made by exempt rulemaking at 16 A.A.R. 318, effective August 29, 2006 (Supp. 09-1). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 21 A.A.R. 2047, effective 10/27/2015. Amended by final exempt rulemaking at 29 A.A.R. 183, effective 12/9/2022.