PURPOSE: This rule provides procedures and standards for approval of professional education programs in baccalaureate degree granting colleges and universities in Missouri. The rule also provides procedures and standards for approval of preliminary teacher education programs in associate’s degree granting colleges in Missouri and acceptance of academic credits from these colleges for purposes of meeting requirements for teacher certification.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: The secretary of state has determined that the publication of the entire text of the material which is incorporated by reference as a portion of this rule would be unduly cumbersome or expensive. This material as incorporated by reference in this rule shall be maintained by the agency at its headquarters and shall be made available to the public for inspection and copying at no more than the actual cost of reproduction. This note applies only to the reference material. The entire text of the rule is printed here.
(1) For the purpose of this rule, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following terms shall mean:
(A) Annual reports. Written reports prepared by the professional education unit each year attesting to its continuing capacity to meet the standards and requirements of the State Board of Education (board);
(B) Approved. The action by the board authorizing a professional education program(s) to recommend candidates for certification as a result of the program having demonstrated compliance with all of the standards for the preparation of educational professionals, not to exceed seven (7) years;
(C) Candidate. An individual admitted to or enrolled in a program for the preparation of teachers or other professional school personnel;
(D) Certification. The official recognition by the board that an individual has met state requirements and is, therefore, approved to practice as a duly certified/licensed education professional;
(E) Approved with conditions. The action by the board authorizing a professional education program to recommend candidates for certification for a period, not to exceed two (2) years, with conditions and limitations stipulated by the board. This decision indicates that a program is not in compliance with one (1) or more of the standards used to evaluate the program;
(F) Disapproved. The action by the board to deny or revoke the authorization of a professional education program to recommend candidates for state certification;
(G) Evaluation team. A team selected by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for the purpose of conducting an on-site review and evaluation of an institution’s professional education unit and programs; the team includes a member of DESE, faculty from elementary or secondary schools and institutions of higher education possessing board approved professional education programs;
(H) Interim review. A review conducted during a period of program approval, consistent with board procedures and standards and authorized by the commissioner of education (commissioner) when s/he has reason to believe that an institution or an approved program is no longer in compliance with state standards;
(I) Preliminary teacher education program. A program that provides the introductory or early phases of teacher preparation culminating in a two (2)-year associate’s degree;
(J) Professional education unit. A college, school, department, or other administrative entity within an institution of higher education that is primarily responsible for the initial and advanced preparation of teachers and other professional school personnel; and
(K) Professional education program. A planned sequence of courses and experiences for preparing teachers or other professional school personnel to work in pre-kindergarten through grade twelve (PK-12) schools.
(2) Professional education programs offered by institutions of higher education in Missouri shall be evaluated according to the Missouri Standards for Teacher Education Programs (MoSTEP) and the Benchmarks for Preliminary Teacher Education Programs, along with a glossary (October 2006) which are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule, as published by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Educator Preparation, PO Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480. This rule does not incorporate any subsequent amendments or additions.
(3) In lieu of MoSTEP, the board may accept the standards of any accrediting agency used for the evaluation of a professional education unit in an institution of higher education if the agency is approved by the United States Department of Education and has established a formal agreement with DESE.
(4) An institution of higher education seeking initial approval of its professional education program(s) shall submit a written request and supporting documentation in accordance with the standards and procedures in MoSTEP.
(5) An institution of higher education with state-approved professional education program(s) shall submit to DESE annual reports in a form consistent with the rules and regulations promulgated by the board.
(6) An evaluation team shall conduct an on-site review of an institution's professional education program(s) to determine compliance with MoSTEP and shall prepare a report for the commissioner.
(7) The commissioner shall review the evaluation team’s report and may request additional information from the institution before recommendations are made to the board.
(8) The commissioner shall recommend to the board that the professional education program(s) of the institution be approved, approved with conditions or disapproved. The commissioner’s recommendation shall not include disapproval of programs for which the institution was not afforded an opportunity for a hearing according to the provisions of Chapter 536, RSMo.
(9) The board shall review the recommendations of the commissioner and shall approve, approve with conditions, or disapprove an institution’s professional education program(s). The board shall not disapprove programs for which the institution was not afforded an opportunity for a hearing according to the provisions of Chapter 536, RSMo.
(A) Should the board approve with conditions any professional education program(s) offered by an institution, the institution’s authorization to recommend candidates for certification shall not exceed two (2) years with conditions and limitations stipulated by the board. Approved with conditions for a professional education program(s) shall not be extended or renewed without consent of the board or its designee.
(B) Should the board disapprove any professional education program(s) offered by an institution of higher education, the commissioner shall notify the institution of the decision and inform the institution of the reasons for the decision.
(10) The commissioner may authorize an interim review of a professional education unit or an approved professional education program(s) in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the board. As a result of the review, and upon the recommendation of the commissioner, the board may disapprove a unit’s or program’s authorization to recommend candidates for certification.
(11) Requisite conditions, guidelines, procedures and standards, as set forth in the rules and regulations promulgated by the board, shall be followed by any institutions seeking board approval of their professional education program(s).
(12) DESE will accept academic credits from state-approved preliminary teacher education programs in Missouri's community colleges to meet general education, subject knowledge and/or professional education competencies required for certification.
(13) All institutions of higher education in Missouri seeking approval for preliminary professional education programs shall be reviewed and evaluated by DESE and approved by the board pursuant to MoSTEP and the Benchmarks for Preliminary Teacher Education Programs.
AUTHORITY: sections 161.092 and 168.021, RSMo Supp. 2005 and 161.097 and 161.099, RSMo 2000.* This rule was previously filed as 5 CSR 80-800.015. Original rule filed Sept. 29, 1986, effective Jan. 12, 1987. Amended: Filed Aug. 1, 1988, effective Nov. 25, 1988. Amended: Filed April 25, 1990, effective Sept. 28, 1990. Amended: Filed Oct. 31, 1996, effective June 30, 1997. Amended: Filed Dec. 23, 1998, effective Aug. 30, 1999. Amended: Filed July 28, 2000, effective Feb. 28, 2001. Amended: Filed Sept. 24, 2002, effective April 30, 2003. Amended: Filed April 5, 2004, effective Nov. 30, 2004. Amended: Filed July 14, 2006; effective Feb. 28, 2007.
*Original authority: 161.092, RSMo 1963, amended 1973, 2002, 2003; 161.097, RSMo 1985; 161.099, RSMo 1993; and 168.021, RSMo 1963, amended 1973, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1998, 2000, 2003. |
