Advanced Level Programs and NCATE Unit Review

Advanced Level Programs and NCATE Unit Review Antoinette Mitchell Vice President, Unit Accreditation

Advanced Level Programs • NCATE accreditation covers all programs that prepare professionals to work in P-12 settings. • Exceptions are programs in nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and social work.

Advanced Level Programs • What is the definition of advanced level programs? • Programs at the post-baccalaureate levels for (1) the continuing education of teachers who have previously completed initial preparation or (2) the preparation of other professional school personnel for work in P-12 school settings…including master’s, specialists, and doctoral degree programs, as well as non-degree licensure programs.

Advanced Level Programs • Examples of advanced level programs include programs for the continuing education of teachers, including: • Curriculum and instruction specialists • Master’s degrees in education for teachers • Examples of advanced level programs also include programs for the preparation of: • Superintendents • School counselors • School psychologists • Reading specialists • Educational technology specialists

Advanced Level Programs • Are advanced level programs included in the NCATE unit review? In the NCATE program review process? • Yes, they are included in the NCATE Unit Review • Yes, they are included in the NCATE Program Review if NCATE has standards for those programs • State protocols will say if ncate program review is mandatory • Currently only three SPAs have advanced level standards • Early childhood, middle level education, and physical ed.

Advanced Level Programs • If the programs are accredited by another accrediting agency (CACREP, ASAH, APA), then they need only be included in the unit review for Standard 6. • Institutions should have letter from the other accrediting agency and the report submitted to the other accrediting agency available for BOE review • See NCATE policy on Relationships with other Nationally Recognized Accrediting Bodies for additional information

Advanced Level Programs • Are advanced level programs for educators and non-educators included in the NCATE review? • The answer depends on for whom the program was developed and whether the majority of program completers go to work in the P-12 school setting. • When there are questions, contact the NCATE office

Advanced Level Programs • How are advanced level programs incorporated into the unit review? • Advanced level programs in the conceptual framework • Mission, goals, philosophy, knowledge base • Proficiencies • Dispositions • Assessment system

Advanced Level Programs • In Standard 1, advanced level programs for teachers are specifically address in the first 4 elements • In Standard 1, specific elements are labeled “Other Professional School Personnel” • Prof. knowledge and skills for other professional school personnel C – including 80 % rule • Student learning for other professional school personnel • In Standard 1, some elements are for both initial and advanced • Dispositions for all candidates

Advanced Level Programs • The elements in Standard 1 for advanced level programs are broad (i.e., content and professional knowledge); individual advanced level programs can address these by using program standards • If there are professional/program standards for a given program, then the program should address those standards. See NCATE website under Program Review for list of program standards • Programs for the continuing education of teachers are encouraged to use the NBPTS propositions • If there are no program standards, the unit must develop them.

Advanced Level Programs • In Standard 2, advanced level programs should be a part of the unit assessment system. • Like initial level programs, advanced level programs should have: • links to the conceptual framework (candidate proficiencies) • Transition points • Identified assessment measures • Proof that assessment measures are accurate, consistent, fair, etc. • Studies of graduates (often means surveys of graduates and employers) • A system for the collecting, summarizing, and analyzing data • Regular use of the data collected and examples of change

Advanced Level Programs • Standard 3 • All programs are expected to have field experiences • Most advanced level programs are expected to have a clinical component • Only advanced level programs for the continuing education of teachers are not expected to have a clinical component. Usually they have a major project that takes place in the candidate’s classroom • Most field experiences in programs for the continuing education of teachers can occur in the teacher’s own classroom • Programs for the continuing education of teachers are expected to provide opportunities for candidates to participate in field experiences with students from diverse backgrounds

Advanced Level Programs • Standard 4 • Advanced level programs should assess the unit’s proficiencies related to diversity and should be able to identify where in their curricula they are addressed. • If the programs have additional or slightly different proficiencies, this should be clearly stated in the conceptual framework. • All of the elements on diverse candidates, faculty, and P-12 students apply to advanced level programs.

Advanced Level Programs • Standard 5 and Standard 6 • Advanced level programs should meet these standards just as initial level programs do.

Advanced Level Programs • How do units work to get advanced level programs into the process? • Help faculty understand accreditation as a means of accountability and improvement • Help faculty clearly understand what is and what is not being asked of them. • Help faculty understand the standards and where they fit into the standards. • Seek input from top administrators

Advanced Level Programs and NCATE Unit Review