OAR 584-410-0010: State Approval of Unit: General Provisions

(1) Pursuant to ORS 342.147, standards for approval of an Educator Preparation Provider (EPP) allow approval of an institution of higher education, a school district in this state, an education service district in this state, or any other entity in this state that sponsors or provides an educator preparation program. The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission has established standards for state approval of Educator Preparation Providers (EPPs or Units) and educator preparation programs leading to educator licensure. The unit standards apply to: (a) Initial preparation and advanced preparation programs for teachers and other school professionals; (b) Off-campus, distance learning, and alternate route programs; (c) Online institutions and non-higher education organizations offering programs for the professional preparation of educators. (2) To obtain state approval to a unit, an Educator Preparation Provider (EPP) must meet the unit standards as provided in 584-400-0015, Unit Standards, and the state-specific unit-level standards found in this rule division. (3) The Commission has defined licensure and endorsement programs as initial or advanced programs for the purposes of Unit Approval. The Commission-approved list of advanced and initial programs is provided in the Program Review and Standards Handbook. (4) When the Commission adopts new program standards, the Commission must require EPPs with state recognized programs in those areas to meet the new program standards by: (a) Completing a process for the relevant programs to be state recognized under the new standards. The process for new state recognition will be in the form and manner adopted by the Commission; or (b) Requiring the EPPs to meet the new program standards as part of their next program recognition process. (5) In consultation with the EPPs, the Commission must establish effective dates for new program standards for: (a) New candidates; (b) Admitted candidates; (c) Enrolled candidates; and (d) Completed candidates (if the standards may be applied retroactively). (6) When the Commission adopts new unit standards, the Commission must require the EPPs to meet the new standards by: (a) Completing a process to approve their units under the new standards. The process for approval under the new standards will be in the form and manner adopted by the Commission; or (b) Requiring the EPPs to meet the new standards as part of their next unit approval process.