West Virginia Code of State Rules
Agency 126 - Education
Title 126 - PROCEDURAL RULE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Series 126-114 - Approval of Educational Personnel Preparation Programs (Policy 5100)
Section 126-114-17 - Procedures for Initiating and Evaluating a Pilot Program and Initiatives
Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 38, September 20, 2024
17.1. Pilot Programs and Initiatives. An EPP currently offering approved programs of study may seek approval for a pilot preparation program in a teaching, student support services or administrative area in a non-traditional manner or where there is no current WVBE-approved specialization leading to West Virginia licensure provided the proposal contains enough justification to warrant the new specialization. An EPP may seek approval for pilot initiatives in educator preparation, student support services or administration that support the successful completion of an approved program that leads to licensure. The EPP is encouraged to collaborate with the WVDE during the initial planning stage. The EPP must identify the program/initiative objectives to be used for summative evaluation. All aspects for the review and approval of an experimental program, other than WVBE adopted program objectives, are the same as those outlined in section 15. The experimental programs/initiatives must comply with the guidelines adopted by the WVDE.
17.2. Evaluation Options. An EPP operating approved programs of study may seek approval for a waiver from component requirements and/or procedures in current policy for evaluation purposes to determine if the alternative process described in the waiver prepares candidates who perform as effectively as candidates who have been prepared according to the component requirements in current policy. Such request must be in writing and submitted to the EPPRB.
17.3. Proposal and Reporting Guidelines. An EPP that seeks approval to offer a pilot program or a waiver of current policy must submit the proposal using sound research methodology by clearly indicating the objective of the project, the persons and agencies involved, the duration of the project, the assessment procedures and timeline, and the project coordinator. The EPP must also agree to prepare and submit a summary of its findings to the EPPRB, the WVCPTS, and the WVDE.
17.4. Validity Period of Experimental Program. The experimental pilot program may operate for a maximum of five years. The EPP must present required program data to the WVDE/EPPRB within three to five years of operating an experimental pilot program. After three-years of operating a pilot program, an EPP may request initial approval, as defined in section 13, by submitting the summary of the pilot program data along with a proposal for initial approval status to the EPPRB for review and recommendation.
