(1)
Purpose. This rule states standards for approving innovative and experimental programs and supplements requirements in GaPSC Rule 505-3-.01, REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR APPROVING EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROVIDERS AND EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS. The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) encourages innovation and experimentation in educator preparation. The standards and recommendations contained in this rule have been prepared to facilitate the development of alternative approaches to the preparation of education personnel. Nothing in this rule shall prohibit regional and local units of administration from developing these programs in collaboration with institutions of higher education.
(a)
Innovative and/or experimental programs may be proposed by any GaPSC-approved educator preparation provider.
(b)
Innovative and experimental programs are defined as those programs, which are designed to:
1. Develop new approaches, new arrangements, and/or new contexts for the preparation of school personnel;
2. Prepare school personnel for new types of positions emerging in the educational community;
3. Prepare non-traditional populations of candidates for educational roles;
4. Meet the special needs of particular segments of our society, and/or
5. Address special curricular areas for which there are no standards.
(2)
Requirements.
(a) The program shall include a written statement of the rationale and goals of the proposed program describing a conceptual framework based upon professional needs, trends, and research about effective practice;
(b) The program shall include competencies based upon program objectives, which reflect attitudes, knowledge, and skills required of beginning practitioners;
(c) The program shall include a curriculum plan for achieving program objectives, evaluating the program and assessing students upon completion of the program;
(d) The program shall be supported by the institution/agency with budgetary and personnel allocations sufficient to sustain innovation and/or experimentation;
(e) The program shall include appropriate human, physical, and financial resources to assure the achievement of program objectives, including the planning and evaluation process;
(f) The program shall have written and published criteria and procedures for admission, retention, and completion;
(g) The program shall provide for the periodic evaluation of completers as a basis for program continuance;
(h) The program shall be vested in the preparing institutions and/or agencies and shall include evidence of administrative responsibility for governance and coordination; and
(i) The program shall meet all requirements specified in GaPSC Rule 505-3-.01, REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR APPROVING EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROVIDERS AND EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS.
O.C.G.A. §
20-2-200.
