W. Va. Code R. § 126-114-12

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 126-114-12 - Education Preparation Program (EPP) Approval

12.1. Granting of Approved Program Status. The WVBE is the statutory body with the authority to recognize EPPs leading to the licensure of teachers to serve in the public schools of West Virginia. The EPPRB will recommend approval status to the WVBE consistent with sections 14 and 15.

12.2. Initial Program Provider Approval.

12.2.a. Request for Institutional Approval. An IHE that does not currently offer WVBE-approved programs and that meets eligibility criteria to become a WVBE-approved national accreditor's candidate may notify the WVBE of its desire to become an EPP provider and offer programs of study leading to licensure of teachers to serve in the public schools of West Virginia. This notification must be submitted in writing to the WVBE as least one year prior to the anticipated implementation date of the proposed program(s).

12.2.b. Prerequisite Requirements. Effective July 1, 2016, an IHE seeking approval to offer a WVBE-approved EPPs must meet authorization and accreditation requirements indicated in section 12 prior to the review of the proposed program.

12.2.c. Proposal. Proposal and program approval procedures and requirements for a new EPP are described in administrative guidelines available from the WVBE.

12.2.d. EPP Approval Status. The WVBE may grant Initial Approval Status to new/ programs of study prior to their inclusion in the EPP's accreditation review. Also, the WVBE, upon recommendation of EPPRB, may classify the status of EPPs and additional programs as follows: Initial Approval Status, Continuing Approval Status, and Probationary Approval Status.

12.2.d.1. Initial Approval Status. Following a review and recommendation by the EPPRB, the WVBE may grant initial approval to a new EPP and/or new program of study that has not previously been included in the EPP's accreditation review or that have not previously been offered by the EPP. Initial Approval Status may be granted by the WVBE for a period of five years. The EPP will be required to document in its annual report that the progress it is making ensures the success of its graduates to promote student achievement in the public schools in the IHE's service region. During the Initial Approval Status stage, the EPP may recommend graduates for West Virginia certification.

12.2.d.2. Continuing Approval Status. Followinga review and recommendation by the EPPRB, the WVBE may grant Continuing Approval Status to those EPPs and/or program that have received Full Accreditation. To maintain Continuing Approval Status programs with the WVBE, EPPs must undergo the accreditation review and receive regular approval according to the accreditor's guidelines.

12.2.d.3. Probationary Approval Status. Following a review and recommendation by the EPPRB, the WVBE may assign Probationary Approval Status to EPPs and/or programs that have been assigned Probationary Approval Status by their WVBE national accreditor.

12.2.e. In the event of a national accreditation revocation or denial of accreditation of an EPP, the EPPRB will review the accreditor's evaluation of the EPP and make a recommendation to the WVBE.

12.3. Review of Programs of Study.

12.3.1. Programs shall seek initial national or state recognition once 10 candidates have completed the program or when program reports are due for an upcoming WVBE-approved accreditation visit. Programs must maintain national, or state recognition of all content areas being recommended for licensure through the processes identified by the national accreditation agencies or through the WV CAPA process. The failure of any program to obtain national or state recognition may be subject to having the EPP's program approval status revoked. The WVBE may choose to grant the program probationary status for a defined time period while recognition is sought or to terminate the certification authority of the program. During a period of probation, no new candidates may be admitted to the program, and existing candidates must be informed of the probationary status of the program. If certification authority is terminated by the WVBE, no new candidates can be admitted, and the existing candidates have two years to complete the program. If existing candidates do not complete the program within two years or a WVBE-approved time period, they must transfer to another WVBE-approved program of study or program provider or they will not be eligible for licensure. When any EPP is terminated, the IHE shall notify all current and potential internal candidates of the status of its program.

W. Va. Code R. § 126-114-12