Okla. Admin. Code § 218:10-5-1

Current through Vol. 42, No. 6, December 2, 2024

Section 218:10-5-1 - Educator preparation program accreditation and review process

(a) Oklahoma educator preparation institutions function under an 'accreditation program' system which requires the evaluation of teacher education units and programs on a periodic basis.

(b) Effective July 1, 2014 the Commission of Educational Quality and Accountability, hereafter referred to as the CEQA, shall assume responsibility for accrediting educator preparation programs in Oklahoma's public and private institutions of higher education.

(c) The program accreditation system shall be a multifaceted system based on:

(1) A competency-based educator preparation program built around the standards for Oklahoma educator preparation programs (See 218:10-5-3 and 218:10-5-4);

(2) Self-studies as outlined in the standards for state accreditation;

(3) On-site accreditation review team visits to the campuses of the institutions of higher education;

(4) Analysis of data related to student success rates on the general education, professional education, and subject matter assessments;

(5) Analysis of student satisfaction data;

(d) Prior to being accredited each institution must meet the eligibility requirements for accreditation and all requirements of the CEQA, and receive the approval of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Hereafter referred to as the OSRHE, when applicable. An institution seeking first-time or initial accreditation must complete a two (2) part application process beginning with Part 1 to establish the status of the applicant and ending with Part 2 to establish accreditation eligibility. After acceptance of the Part 1 application by CAEP and/or CEQA, the educator preparation program, hereafter referred to as EPP, must submit the Part 2 application and schedule a site visit within a three (3) year period. The site visit must occur within five (5) years of the date of acceptance of the Part 1 application.

(1)Part 1: Applicant Status. The Part 1 application is completed by the EPP administrator, signed by the administrator and the president, and submitted to CAEP and/or CEQA.

(2)Part 2: Accreditation Eligibility. Upon acceptance of the Part 1 application, the EPP is granted applicant status. The EPP submits the following:

(A) Description of evidence demonstrating the capacity to prepare educators and/or other school professionals.

(B) Evidence that graduates/completers are eligible for an educator license issued by the state.

(C) A list of all programs offered for the preparation of P-12 educators and/or other school professionals.

(D) An accreditation plan for programs by site of operation including number of completers.

(E) A list of all of the EPP clinical educators (faculty).

(F) Information on applicable EPP characteristics, such as governance, regional accreditation, and Carnegie classification.

(G) Evidence of parity in resources, facilities, and finances in comparison to another professional field based preparation program of the EPP's choice.

(H) Copies of EPP-created assessments and scoring guides for unit-wide evaluation of candidate performance, not including proprietary assessments such as licensure examinations.

(e) The OEQA is a performance-based partner with the OSRHE and CAEP. All educator preparation programs shall be expected to meet all CAEP unit and program accreditation standards, State Department of Education competencies, OSRHE teacher education policies as well as all additional standards established by the CEQA.

(1)Self-study. The self-study shall be utilized by the CEQA for state accreditation, OSRHE program review, and CAEP accreditation as stipulated in OS 70 sections 6-180.

(2)Records to be kept on file at the institution. The following items and records shall be kept on file at the institution with the director/dean of teacher education.

(A) Copy of the self-study;

(B) Copy of annual report to the CEQA;

(C) Syllabi for courses in the areas of specialization, general education, and professional education will be kept on file with the institution; and

(D) Full faculty resumes will be on file for review. All levels of teaching personnel will be indicated.

(E) Copies of program review reports.

(F) Candidate CEOE scores.

(3)OEQA personnel will establish an accreditation visit schedule that will adhere to CAEP/State accreditation timelines.

(4)Selection of accreditation review team. Selection of the accreditation review team will be coordinated by the OEQA staff after the visitation dates are set. Selection of the accreditation review team shall be based on the following:

(A) All team members must have been trained by CAEP staff and/or their designee in the application of CAEP standards and on the process for evaluating programs for the CEQA.

(B) Accreditation team for first accreditation. The membership of a first accreditation review team shall be as follows:

(i) Three to six CAEP site visitors (for institutions seeking national accreditation)

(ii) State site visitors appointed by the OEQA including: One P-12 site visitor (when available); one site visitor from higher education who is a member of an educator preparation unit. For accreditation of private institutions the site visitor shall be from a private institution; for public institutions this site visitor shall be from a public institution; One site visitor from the OEQA serving as State Consultant; One additional at-large site visitor;

(iii) For any institution requesting accreditation of a career technology program(s) an additional site visitor may be recommended by the State Director of Career and Technology Education.

(iv) The OEQA may invite observers representing the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Oklahoma State Department of Education, Oklahoma Department for Career and Technology Education, professional organizations, and the community-at-large.

(v) Observers shall be actively involved in the data collection process, participate in the accreditation review team meetings, and assist the accreditation review team to understand state nuances. They may assist with writing the stateteam report. They shall not be a voting member of the team.

(vi) Observers are expected to participate in the entire visit and all assigned meetings and activities.

(vii) The chair of the accreditation review team has the authority to dismiss any observer from the accreditation visit who does not participate in the entire site review and assigned activities.

(viii) The OEQA shall collaborate with the director of educator preparation at the institution requesting state accreditation regarding the team representation.

(ix) State site visitors will number no less than two.

(C) Accreditation team for continuing accreditation. The membership of a continuing accreditation review team shall be as follows:

(i) CAEP site visitors as determined by CAEP (for CAEP accredited institutions);

(ii) State site visitors which will number no less than two.

(iii) The OEQA shall collaborate with the director of educator preparation at the institution being reviewed regarding the state team representation;

(iv) The OEQA may invite observers representing Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, State Department of Education, and the community-at-large. If a Career and Technology program is offered at the institution the State Director of Career and Technology Education may nominate a site visitor for any institution requesting accreditation of career and technology program(s);

(v) Observers shall be actively involved in the data collection process, participate in the accreditation review team meetings, and assist the accreditation review team with understanding state nuances. They may assist but shall not be required to write any sections of the team report. They shall not be a voting member of the team.

(vi) Observers are expected to participate in the entire visit and all assigned meetings and activities.

(vii) The chair of the accreditation review team has the authority to dismiss any observer from the accreditation visit who does not participate in the entire site review and assigned activities.

(D) Accreditation teams for non-CAEP accredited institutions shall be composed of state site visitors.

(E) CEQA members and OEQA appointees who are involved in an unit or program evaluation and/or accreditation, must complete performance-based training prior to voting and/or participating in any accreditation decisions.

(5)Logistics for CAEP/State accreditation visits shall adhere to the CAEP and State guidelines.

(A) The accreditation process will include

(i) Successful completion of application (for first and initial accreditation)

(ii) Submission of Self-Study Report containing evidence of meeting accreditation standards and state requirements

(iii) Response to the Formative Feedback Report

(iv) On-site visit

(B) The completed accreditation review team report will be presented to the CEQA and CAEP (as applicable).

(C) Visiting team members will be reimbursed for expenses incurred according to state guidelines. Reimbursement forms must be completed by team members on the last day of the visit.

(6)Preparation of the team report. The accreditation review team work will culminate in preparation of a report outlining the findings of the team following CAEP guidelines. The report will reflect the team consensus on the review.

(A) At the exit report, representatives of the accreditation review team will present a summary of its evaluation of the program. The summary will include an evaluation of the completeness, quality, and strength of evidence for each standard and state requirement.

(B) The completed CAEP and OEQA reports will follow the CAEP timelines for submission; and

(C) The summary evaluation will be presented to the CEQA for determination of final state accreditation decision. For CAEP accredited institutions, final accreditation decisions will be made after CAEP has forwarded its accreditation decision to the CEQA.

(7)Final action. Final action on the reports and institutional accreditation will proceed according to CAEP/state guidelines and policies.

(A) Final action by the CEQA may include the following:

(i)Accreditation is granted for seven (7) years if the EPP meets all of the accreditation standards and required components, even if areas for improvement (AFIs) are identified.

(ii)Accreditation with Stipulations is granted if an EPP receives one (1) or more stipulations on non-required components(s) and all standards are met. A targeted response to the stipulations(s) must be submitted to the Accreditation Council and/or CEQA for review by the end of the second year following the application of the stipulation. Failure to submit a response to the stipulation within a two-year (2) time frames results in automatic revocation. Failure to correct the condition leading to the stipulation within the specified two-year (2) period results in revocation.

(iii)Probationary Accreditation is granted for two (2) years when an EPP does not meet one (1) of the CAEP Standards or fails to meet not more than one required component under any one (1) standard. If the probationary status is for failing to meet one of the CAEP standards, a targeted response to the stipulations(s) must be submitted to the Accreditation Council and/or CEQA for review by the end of the second year following the application of the stipulation, and the EPP must undergo a targeted site visit and submit an interim self-study report. If the probationary status is for failing meet not more than one required component, a targeted response to the stipulations(s) must be submitted to the Accreditation Council and/or CEQA for review by the end of the second year following the application of the stipulation, and the EPP must undergo a document review. Failure to submit a response to the stipulation within a two-year (2) time frame results in revocation. Failure to correct the condition leading to the stipulation within the specified two-year (2) period results in revocation.

(iv)Revocation (for Continuing) or Denial (for Initial) of accreditation occurs if an EPP does not meet two (2) or more of the accreditation standards. In a case where accreditation is revoked, the EPP can begin the application process after one (1) calendar year from the date of the final decision. All students who have been admitted to the program must be notified by mail, within 30 days of receipt of the CAEP or CEQA decision, as to the revocation of accreditation of the unit and programs. Within 30 days of receipt of the CEQA decision, the institution provides to the OEQA the names, admission dates, and majors of all students admitted to their program at the time of the decision. Institutions that lose their state accreditation may recommend candidates for certification for one year from the end of the semester in which accreditation is revoked.

(B) All final actions shall be reported annually in the OEQA annual report.

(8)Appeals Board.

(A) The appeals process for National Accreditation will follow the guidelines and criteria contained in the CAEP Appeals Policy;

(B) For appeals related to program(s) and state accreditation the CEQA shall consider the recommendation of the CEQA Appeals Board whose membership shall include:

(C) Membership of CEQA Appeals Board shall be:

(i) CEQA chair. The CEQA Chair shall be the Chair of the Appeals Board;

(ii) Representative from OEQA with State Consultant experience;

(iii) Program subject matter and/or standards expert(s). If the appeal is related to a specific program, the program expert shall be in the area(s) being appealed;

(iv) One P-12 school classroom teacher;

(v) One member trained as a site visitor (when applicable);

(vi) One educator preparation faculty representative; and

(vii) One representative from the arts and sciences faculty or from school administration.

(9)Appeal of an accreditation adverse action.

(A) An educator preparation program may formally appeal an adverse action (denial or revocation of accreditation) CEQA by indicating its intent in writing within 15 days of receipt of its accreditation letter and action report. The program shall submit its petition within 30 days after its letter of intent.

(B) CEQA may affirm, amend, or reverse the accreditation decision. The decisions of the CEQA are final. While the appeal is pending, the educator preparation program's prior status remains in effect.

(C) The basis for appeal of an accreditation adverse action is:

(i) OEQA procedures not followed by visitor teams, Commissioners, or OEQA staff;

(ii) A conflict of interest or prejudice by members of visitor teams, Commissioners, or OEQA staff that influenced the accreditation decision;

(iii) The accreditation decision is not supported adequately or is contrary to facts presented and known at the time of the decision;

(10)Reconsideration of a stipulation or a probationary accreditation decision.

(A) An educator preparation program may ask for reconsideration of a CEQA stipulation or conditional term decision. An educator preparation program may, by a formally documented petition, request reconsideration of any decision that cites a stipulation or grants a conditional term for accreditation. OEQA staff will undertake a preliminary review of petitions with the educator preparation program and take the request to the CEQA chair to determine whether to submit the request to the CEQA.

(B) The basis for reconsideration of a stipulation or a conditional term decision is:

(i) CEQA procedures not followed by visitor teams, Commissioners, or OEQA staff;

(ii) A conflict of interest or prejudice by members of visitor teams, Commissioners, or OEQA staff that influenced the accreditation decision;

(iii) The accreditation decision is not supported adequately or is contrary to facts presented and known at the time of the decision.

(11)Cost of review.

(A) If the appeal leads to an affirmation of the CEQA original decision, the appellant will be liable for the expenses of the CEQA Appeals Board, the second accreditation review team visit, and all expenses related to the review. All expenses will be reimbursed according to state travel reimbursement guidelines.

(B) If the CEQA Appeals Board finds in favor of the institution, the CEQA will be liable for expenses of the AB and second accreditation review team. All expenses will be reimbursed according to state travel reimbursement guidelines.

Okla. Admin. Code § 218:10-5-1

Adopted by Oklahoma Register, Volume 32, Issue 24, September 1, 2015, eff. 9/11/2015

Amended by Oklahome Register, Volume 33, Issue 23, August 15, 2016, eff. 8/25/2016

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 35, Issue 24, September 4, 2018, eff. 9/14/2018

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 36, Issue 22, August 1, 2019, eff. 9/16/2019

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 38, Issue 24, September 1, 2021, eff. 9/11/2021

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 40, Issue 22, August 1, 2023, eff. 9/11/2023