La. Admin. Code tit. 28 § XLV-305

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section XLV-305 - Initial Approval of Early Childhood Ancillary Certificate Programs

A. Initial approval is granted upon approval by BESE and, when applicable, BOR, through submission of a proposal to the LDE.

B. University and non-university providers seeking approval to offer an early childhood ancillary certificate program must demonstrate eligibility by providing, at a minimum:

1. an official declaration of intent in the form of a letter from the head of the institution or organization to the review committee;

2. evidence of regional accreditation status (e.g., Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) for universities only;

3. evidence that the instructors who teach courses or provide direct coaching to teacher or educational leader candidates possess sufficient knowledge, skills, training, and expertise;

4. evidence to show that the tuition- and candidate-incurred costs for the early childhood ancillary certificate program have been established, and have considered any scholarship assistance provided by the LDE; and

5. a description of the providers system for monitoring and evaluating its candidates, programs, operations, and the performance of its graduates. This description must reflect how the early childhood ancillary certificate program assesses programs effectiveness, and candidates as well as how the provider provides follow-up data on its graduates.

C. In order to be recommended for BESE approval, early childhood ancillary certificate programs must, at minimum:

1. be designed to develop and ensure candidates mastery of the early childhood teacher competencies required for certification. The program design must:

a. center on courses and practice experiences that integrate content, theory, and practice;

b. expressly teach current Louisiana early learning and development standards and instructional resources; and

c. require candidates to demonstrate mastery of required competencies through a series of performance assessments;

2. include required applied practice experiences for teacher preparation, including at least two observations using the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS); and

3. be jointly developed in partnership with members of the local early childhood care and education community network (LAC 28:CLXVII, Bulletin 140-Louisiana Early Childhood Care and Education Network). Evidence of partnership may include, but not be limited to, a formal agreement, such as a memorandum of understanding or memorandum of agreement, that describes shared roles and responsibilities for program design, program implementation, and program evaluation.

D. The LDE will utilize evaluation tools to conduct qualitative assessments of early childhood ancillary certificate proposals to make initial approval recommendations. The evaluation tools must align to the requirements set forth in this Part.

La. Admin. Code tit. 28, § XLV-305

Promulgated by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, LR 45903 (7/1/2019).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:6(10), 17:7(6), and 17:7.2.