School Certifying Official Workshop State Approving Agency (SAA)

1. School Certifying Official Workshop State Approving Agency (SAA) April / May 2019 PA Department of Education Division of Veterans/Military Education

2. SAA Overview Serviceman’s Readjustment Act of 1944 Over 50 state agencies Under contract with the US Department of Veterans Affairs

3. Educational Institution VETERAN VASAA

4. SAA Core Functions Program Approval Visits to Facilities (including compliance survey) Technical Assistance Outreach Liaison Contract Management

5. SAA Program Approval All Programs (except federal programs) must be approved by the SAA: Degrees/Certificates/Diplomas/Teacher Certifications Flight programs at an FAA approved pilot school On-the-Job Training/Apprenticeship Training Licensing/Certification tests

6. SAA Program Approval – Cont’d State Requirements Federal Requirements 38 USC 3672 38 USC 3675 38 USC 3676 Accreditation (institution vs. programmatic) Policy Advisories

7. Map of Pennsylvania

8. SAA Program Approval Catalog 2 or 3 (Pittsburgh jurisdiction) signed copies along with a listing of programs requesting approval Paper (preferred) paginated CD PDF format-sign CD or send separate signed letter referencing the CD Program description/curriculum/courses Academic policies

9. SAA Program Approval – Cont’d Catalog-Academic Policies • Credit for Previous Education/Training • Standards of Progress • Grading policy • Minimum grades considered satisfactory • Conditions for interruption for unsatisfactory grades or progress • Description of the probationary period • Conditions of reentrance

10. SAA Program Approval – Cont’d Catalog-Academic Policies Academic Calendar Advertising including use of trademark Admissions requirements Attendance Class Schedule (NCD Programs) Conduct Faculty/Governing Body Tuition/Fees

11. SAA Program Approval – Cont’d Catalog-Academic Policies Non Accredited • Pro-Rata Refund Policy • Ratio of the number of days of instruction completed by the student to the total number of instructional days in the course • Policy also on enrollment agreement • Interruption for Unsatisfactory Attendance • Class Cuts/Tardiness/Leave of Absence • Make-up Work

12. Other Program Approval Items Contract Training Control of curriculum Tuition Faculty Both entities may need to be approved

13. Other Program Approval Items – Cont’d Practical Training Internship/Externship/Practicum Accredited Part of an approved program Meets graduation requirement Meet weekly with instructor

14. Other Program Approval Items - Cont’d Cooperative Education Fulltime program alternating phases of classroom and business/industry Class time at least as long as business/industry phase Identified as cooperative education in publication Credit granted for business/industry phase

15. Other Program Approval Items – Cont’d Developmental/Remedial/Deficiency Courses designed to overcome a deficiency at the elementary or secondary level in a particular area of study [usually English, Reading, and/or Math] Evaluation/Testing Documentation Only in residence May not be used for personal enrichment or electives

16. Other Program Approval Items – Cont’d Independent Study Accredited IHL or NCD program at an accredited IHL Accredited Career & Technology Center Accredited Vocational Postsecondary school Courses apply to the Degree, Certificate, or Diploma

17. Other Program Approval Items – Cont’d Distance Education More than 50% of the program is via distance Verification of Institutional Support, Faculty Support, Student Support Description of curriculum, instruction, evaluation & assessment Security Measures

18. Other Approval Items – Cont’d Change in ownership Institution name change Change in location New programs Change to existing programs Change in accreditation

19. Program Not Approved No Longer Offered Avocational, bartending, self-improvement; audited Programs that do not meet approval criteria Some contracted training

20. Other Program Approval On-The Job Training & Apprenticeship Training License and Certification Tests National Tests (VA Approved)

21. Visits To Facilities Technical Assistance Inspections Compliance Survey Other-Investigate Complaints, VA Requested

22. Outreach Workshops Job Fairs Mailings (Governor’s) Presentations Newsletters

23. Liaison • Troops to Teachers • tttpennsylvania@j2tinfo.com • www.proudtoserveagain.com (National) • Department of Military and Veterans Affairs • https://register.dmva.pa.gov • Priority Scheduling

24. Questions Questions???

25. Contact Information Harrisburg 717-787-2414 Christine Hawk, Manager Randal McKinney, Supervisor Luke Suereth, Advisor Rod Niner, Advisor (Annuitant) Donna Matthews, Administrative YuniyaCherednyk, Administrative Pittsburgh - 412-565-5364 John Ayres, Supervisor Emily Butler, Advisor Dennis Renner, Advisor Linda Gagliardo, Administrative

26. Contact/Mission For more information please visit PDE’s website at www.education.pa.gov The mission of the Department of Education is to ensure that every learner has access to a world-class education system that academically prepares children and adults to succeed as productive citizens. Further, the Department seeks to establish a culture that is committed to improving opportunities throughout the commonwealth by ensuring that technical support, resources, and optimal learning environments are available for all students, whether children or adults.