BIR Update Sessions

1. BIR UpdateSessions 2009-10 Ensuring Educator Excellence

2. Topics to be addressed • Accreditation Handbook • Travel Information • Responsibilities prior to arriving at the site • Common Standards • Technology on the visit

3. Working as a team member Team Member Ethics Interview strategies Standard Findings Accreditation Recommendation/Stipulations Evaluating the visit Plus specialized topics for your specific team assignment Topics continued

4. Accreditation Handbook • Accreditation Handbook (2009) • Best resource for team members • Chapter 10: Accreditation Site Visit Team Member Information • Review this chapter before arriving at the site visit

5. Travel arrangements • Use Sacramento Travel to book flights • Use the most economical mode of transportation • Hotel shuttle, if available • A shuttle service • A taxi, if necessary • Submit transportation receipts for reimbursements !

6. Prior to the visit • Make travel arrangements • Submit food/special needs • Read document (s) appropriate for your team assignment • Review electronic evidence • Formulate basic questions Member information page

7. Common Standard Glossary Glossary definitions of the terms in the Common Standards Defines terms in the Common Standards plus • Intern Program • Second Tier Credential Programs Standards/Glossary

8. Entirely rewritten/new Standards: Standard 2 – Unit and Program Evaluation System Standard 9 – Assessment of Candidate Competence New language: Standard 1: Unit implements and monitors a credential recommendation process that ensures that candidates recommended for a credential have met all requirements. Edits to other standards for clarity and inclusion of all programs Commission adopted edits in November 2008 Common Standards

9. Technology at the Visit • Standards documents—electronic • Self Study Documents—electronic • Exhibits—electronic • Notify staff if you plan to bring a laptop • Notify staff if you need a hard copy of your document (s)

10. Working as a team member • Understand your assigned role • Common Standards • Program Standards • Use time wisely • Assist in gathering information for other team members • Understand the timelines for getting draft of report submitted to team lead

11. Team member ethics • Accreditation requires the highest standard of ethical behavior and professionalism • Interviews are held in strict confidence • Team deliberations are confidential and not to be shared with non-team members • Ethical and professional behavior of BIR members should not end when the site visit is complete: • BIR members should never discuss the details of a review with others • While reports are public, BIR members must always use good professional judgment when asked about reviews The success of the accreditation system depends upon YOU! Team Member Ethics

12. Interview Strategies • Introduce Yourself • Explain Why You Are Interviewing • Reduce Anxiety • Assure Confidentiality • Maintain a Professional Perspective • Confirm Understanding • Take Notes • Ask Questions Related to Standards • Avoid Questions That Can Be Answered “Yes” or “No” • Pursue Questions Until You Are Sure They Are Answered • Do Not Accept Unsupported Conclusions • Be Aware of Time—Adhere to the Schedule • Ask a Wrap-Up Question • Cross-Check Information

13. Interview Composition • Group Interviews • Interviews across programs, but same type of stakeholders • Phone or videoconference interviews

14. Team Report • One cohesive team report • Convey information to the COA, institution and the public • Addresses each Common (NCATE) Standard • Addressed each approved credential program • Public document, posted online Report Writing Guidelines

15. Standard Findings The team must reach a decision on each standard—Common and Program Met—All phrases of the standard are evident and effectively implemented. Met with concern (s)—One or more phrases of the standard are not evident or are ineffectively implemented. Not Met — Significant phrases of the standard are not evident or are so ineffectively implemented that it is not possible to see the standard in the program.

16. Accreditation Recommendation • Accreditation • Accreditation with Stipulations • Accreditation with Major Stipulations • Accreditation with Probationary Stipulations Handout

17. Stipulations • If the recommendation is not “Accreditation,” the team must develop proposed stipulation(s). • Stipulations point out the major issues that were identified—not every standard less than fully met requires a stipulation. • Team Lead and CTC Consultant will draft the initial stipulation language. • Team must identify the specific part(s) of the standard(s) that is/are not being met.

18. Evaluating the visit • Electronic survey • Team members • Team Lead • Institution Complete the survey within one week. Contact Administrator of Accreditation (or Division Director) if concerns you do not want to put into writing.