Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-3-3-.58

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 290-3-3-.58 - Innovative Programs

(1)Rationale. Efforts to develop innovative ways of preparing teachers and instructional support staff shall be encouraged. The rules below are designed to facilitate approval of innovative approaches to preparing teachers or instructional support personnel.

(2)Justification. A proposal justifying the request for the review and for approval of an innovative program shall be required. This proposal shall define the need for the program, purposes it is to serve, and assumptions upon which it is based.

(3)Objectives. Each proposal shall be built upon a statement of the objectives of the area of the public school program with which the proposal deals. The objectives shall be developed cooperatively by the institution and its P-12 partners and shall be based on current research-based practices and trends.

(4)Program Curriculum. As appropriate to the level of proposed innovation, the program must meet CAEP standards for initial or advanced programs.

(a) Programs may be proposed at the Class B, Class A, or Class AA level. The institution must comply with any general standards appropriate to the proposed teaching field or area of instructional support. (As examples, career and technical programs must address Rule 290-3-3-.15; a proposal for an innovative special education program must address the portions of Rule 290-3-3-.37 applicable to all special education teacher; and any innovative Class A program must meet Rule 290-3-3-.41.) If a Class B program is proposed, the institution must document compliance with Rules 290-3-3-.04 and 290-3-3-.05. If an Alternative Class A program is proposed, the institution must document compliance with Rule 290-3-3-.04 and Rule 290-3-3-.42(1), (2)(a) -(c), and (4)(b).

(b) Each proposed program shall include a clearly formulated written statement of the knowledge and abilities necessary for certification as a teacher or instructional support staff member, the proposed curriculum, and a description of any internship to be required. This statement shall be based upon the preceding rules regarding the objectives enumerated in response to Rule 290-3-3-.58(3).

(5)Schedule.

(a) Proposed innovative programs shall include a timetable which establishes the starting and ending dates of the project, as well as:

1. The sequence of activities as they are to occur.

2. The anticipated schedule of evaluation checkpoints.

3. The identification of the kinds of evidence needed to show results of the program.

(b) The timetable shall give the approximate date on which program reports are to be submitted to appropriate institutional officials and the Alabama State Department of Education. Additional information on the review of a proposed program is provided in Rule 290-3-3-.56(3).

(6)Requirements for Certification Based on an Innovative Program. The innovative program shall include provisions for continuing evaluation based on performance criteria to be met by candidates completing the program. The evaluation plan shall include the definition and specification of kinds of evidence that will be gathered and reported. Evaluation shall provide information to identify areas of the program that need strengthening and the support needed for further program development. An annual report shall be provided to the Alabama State Department of Education, Educator Preparation Section.

(7)Testing for Certification Based on Completion of an Innovative Program. Applicants for initial certification based on completion of an innovative program must meet the requirements of the Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program (AECAP) as a precondition of certification. Additional information is provided in Rule 290-3-3-.01(3).

(8)Approval. Proposals for innovative programs designed to lead to certification of teachers or instructional support personnel shall be approved by the Alabama State Board of Education prior to implementation and only for the duration of approval of existing programs. However, continuation of the program for more than two years is contingent upon the institution's submission of a progress report at the end of the second year and the approval of the report by the Educator Preparation Section of the Alabama State Department of Education.

(9)Progress Report. The institution shall submit a progress report at the end of two years. Receipt of the report will be acknowledged by the Alabama State Department of Education. If a review of the report indicates areas of concern, the Alabama State Department of Education reserves the right to schedule a site visit.

(10)Summative Report. The innovative program shall continue until the performance of its first program completers has been evaluated during their first three years of employment in Alabama public schools in the roles for which they were prepared. Information acquired in the program may result in the development and submission of standards to the Alabama State Board of Education for program approval through existing routes as described in Rule 290-3-3-.56(3).

(11)Termination. If no one completes an innovative program and earns an Alabama educator certificate within seven (7) years of program approval, ALSDE staff will prepare a resolution to terminate program approval and submit the resolution to the ALSBE.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-3-3-.58

Adopted by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIX, Issue No. 11, August 31, 2021, eff. 10/15/2021.

Previous Rule.55 was renumbered.58 per certification published August 31, 2021; effective October 15, 2021.

Author: Dr. Eric G. Mackey

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 16-3-16, 16-23-14.