Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 12, March 20, 2024
(a) Application.
(1) Each teacher education institution that
desires to have any new program approved by the state board shall submit an
application for program approval to the commissioner. The application shall be
submitted at least 12 months before the date of implementation.
(2) Each institution shall submit with its
application a program report containing a detailed description of each proposed
program, including program coursework based on standards approved by the state
board, and the performance-based assessment system that will be utilized to
collect performance data on candidates' knowledge and skills. Each program
report shall be in the form and shall contain the information prescribed by the
commissioner. The program report shall include confirmation that the candidates
in the program will be required to complete the following successfully:
(A) Coursework that constitutes a major in
the subject at the institution or that is equivalent to a major;
(B) at least 12 weeks of student teaching;
and
(C) a validated preservice
candidate work sample.
(b) Review team. Upon receipt of a program
report, a review team shall be appointed by the commissioner to analyze the
program report. The chairperson of the review team shall be designated by the
commissioner. The number of review team members shall be determined by the
commissioner, based upon the scope of the program to be reviewed.
Any institution may challenge the appointment of a review team
member. The institution's challenge shall be submitted in writing and received
by the commissioner no later than 30 days after the notification of review team
appointments is sent to the institution. Each challenge to the appointment of a
review team member shall be only on the basis of a conflict of interest.
(c) Program review process.
(1) In accordance with procedures adopted by
the state board, a review team shall examine and analyze the proposed program
report and shall prepare a report expressing the findings and conclusions of
the review team. The review team's report shall be submitted to the
commissioner. The report shall be forwarded by the commissioner to an
appropriate representative designated by the teacher education
institution.
(2) Any institution
may prepare a response to the review team's report. This response shall be
prepared and submitted to the commissioner no later than 45 days of receipt of
the review team's report. Receipt of the review team's report shall be presumed
to occur three days after mailing. The review team's report, any response by
the institution, and any other supporting documentation shall be forwarded to
the evaluation review committee by the commissioner.
(d) Initial recommendation. The evaluation
review committee, in accordance with procedures adopted by the state board,
shall prepare a written initial recommendation regarding the appropriate status
to be assigned to the proposed program, which shall include a statement of the
findings and conclusions of the evaluation review committee. The recommendation
shall be submitted to an appropriate representative designated by the teacher
education institution and to the commissioner.
(e) Request for hearing.
(1) Within 30 days of receipt of an initial
recommendation of the evaluation review committee, the teacher education
institution may submit a written request by certified mail to the evaluation
review committee for a hearing before the committee to appeal the initial
recommendation. Receipt of the initial recommendation of the evaluation review
committee shall be presumed to occur three days after mailing. This request
shall specify, in detail, the basis for the appeal, including an identification
of each item disputed by the institution.
(2) If a request for a hearing is submitted,
the evaluation review committee shall conduct a hearing. The committee shall
then prepare a written final recommendation regarding the appropriate status to
be assigned to the proposed program, which shall include a statement of the
findings and conclusions of the evaluation review committee. The final
recommendation shall be submitted to an appropriate representative designated
by the teacher education institution and to the commissioner. The final
recommendation shall be submitted by the commissioner to the state board for
its consideration and determination.
(3) If a request for a hearing is not
submitted by certified mail within the time allowed under paragraph (e) (1),
the initial recommendation of the evaluation review committee shall become the
final recommendation of the review committee. The committee's final
recommendation shall be submitted by the commissioner to the state board for
its consideration and determination.
(f) Approval status. Each new program shall
be approved with stipulation or not approved.
(g) Annual report.
(1) If a new program is approved with
stipulation, the institution shall submit a progress report to the commissioner
within 60 days after completion of the second semester of operation of the
program and thereafter in each of the institution's annual reports that are due
on or before July 30.
(2) Each
progress report shall be submitted by the commissioner to the evaluation review
committee for its examination and analysis. Following review of the progress
report, the evaluation review committee may remove any areas for improvement
and change the status to approved until the institution's next program
review.
(h) Change of
approval status.
(1) At any time, the approval
status of a teacher education program may be changed by the state board if,
after providing an opportunity for a hearing, the state board finds that the
institution either has failed to meet substantially the program standards or
has materially changed the program. For just cause, the duration of the
approval status of a program may be extended by the state board. The duration
of the current approval status of a program shall be extended automatically if
the program is in the process of being reevaluated by the state board. This
extension shall be counted as part of any subsequent approval period of a
program.
(2) At the time of an
institution's next on-site visit, the new program shall be reviewed pursuant to
K.A.R.
91-1-236.
(3) For licensure purposes, each teacher
education program that is approved with stipulation shall be considered to be
approved.
