ADMINISTRATIVE LETTER: 86
POLICY CODE: GC
Summary: The Maine Department of Education and the State Board of Education are proposing amendments to Department rule, Chapter 114, Purpose, Standards and Procedures for the Review and Approval of Preparation Programs for Education Personnel. A summary of the rule and information about the public hearing and how to submit comments are given below.
This rule governs the approval of educator preparation programs in Maine as required in Title 20-A, Sections 8, 405(3)(F) and 406. The proposed changes would:
- Adopt national educational standards for teacher and administrator preparation programs;
- Adopt national educational technology standards to be met by all initial teacher and school leader candidates prior to seeking educator certification;
- Establish standards for quality assurance in traditional and non-traditional course offerings, including face-to-face, hybrid/blended, online, and dual method modes; and
- Amend the program approval process by revising the definitions and procedures, and including an expectation of evidence of graduate teaching success.
The Maine State Board of Education periodically calls for the establishment of a Chapter 114 Stakeholders Group to conduct a comprehensive review of the Board’s program approval procedures and standards. Chapter 114 last underwent comprehensive reviews in 2006 resulting in approval of a number of changes and necessary upgrades. Since that time, recognizing that several additional changes to this rule have become necessary, the State Board voted on Nov. 10, 2010, to establish and convene a Stakeholders Group.
On March 9, 2011, the State Board approved the recommended list of members for the Chapter 114 Stakeholders Group and designated Dr. Kathy Yardley, Associate Provost and Dean of Education at the University of Maine at Farmington, and Dr. Thomas Edwards, Provost and Coordinator of the Education Department at Thomas College, to serve as the Group’s Co-Chairs. Further, the Board specified that the Stakeholders Group would be tasked with completing its work no later than March 30, 2012.
The State Board received the Stakeholders Group report of findings, along with specific recommendations, and, during its May 9, 2012 meeting, acted to propose the recommended amendments to the rule.
The proposed rule is available online at: http://www.maine.gov/doe/rule/changes/.
Hard copies may be obtained by contacting Harry Osgood, Higher Education Specialist, at the Maine Department of Education at (207) 624-6841 or by email at Harry.Osgood@Maine.gov.
A public hearing will be held on Thursday, July 6, 2012, 9 to 11 a.m. in Room 103A&B of the Cross State Office Building, 11 Sewall Street, Augusta, Maine (adjacent to the State House).
Written comments may be submitted via email to Harry.Osgood@Maine.gov or via mail to:
Harry Osgood, Higher Education Specialist
Maine Department of Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0023
WRITTEN COMMENT DEADLINE: Monday, July 23, 2012, at 5 p.m.