W. Va. Code R. § 126-161-10
Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024
Section 126-161-10 - Alternative Certification Educator Preparation Program Review Board (ACEPPRB)10.1. The WVBE has created the ACEPPRB to make recommendations to the WVBE regarding initial and continuing alternative certification educator preparation program approval.10.2. ACEPPRB Composition.10.2.a. The ACEPPRB shall be comprised of nine members selected from the following pool of trained educators:10.2.a.1. one member representing higher education appointed by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.10.2.a.2. one member representing higher education appointed by the West Virginia Independent Colleges and Universities.10.2.a.3. three members including one who was alternatively certified, representing public education, one at each programmatic level for elementary, middle, and high school, appointed by the WVBE.10.2.a.4. two county office representatives, appointed by the WVBE.10.2.a.5. one principal appointed by the State Superintendent.10.2.a.6. one representative from the West Virginia Commission for Professional Teaching Standards, appointed by its chairperson.10.2.b. ACEPPRB members must recuse themselves from deliberations and actions related to the status of an alternative certification program's approval if they are currently employees of any entity involved in the proposal under the committee's review. ACEPPRB members are appointed to serve three-year terms and may choose to have their term renewed once (for an additional three years) to serve a total of two terms, not to exceed six consecutive years serving on the ACEPPRB.10.3. ACEPPRB Functions. 10.3.a. The primary function of the ACEPPRB is to review documents and alternative certification program proposals submitted by partnerships requesting program approval for new and/or revised alternative certification educator preparation programs that lead to licensure to work in the public schools of West Virginia and submit their recommendations for approval to the WVBE.10.4. ACEPPRB Procedures. 10.4.a. Alternative certification program proposals shall be reviewed by the ACEPPRB in accordance with this policy. The ACEPPRB shall meet at least once each academic semester, including summer, unless no materials have been submitted to it for review. Upon review of a proposed alternative certification program, the ACEPPRB will write and submit a report to the WVBE. If the ACEPPRB determines and verifies in its written report that a proposed alternative certification program for the education of teachers has serious weaknesses, the ACEPPRB may recommend that the WVBE not grant approval.10.4.b. The following shall guide the recommendation process and written review of the ACEPPRB:10.4.b.1. the ACEPPRB may recommend to the WVBE to approve a partnership's application proposal to operate an alternative program for the education of teachers if the proposed program, in all material respects, complies or will comply with all components of an alternative certification program as set forth in this policy; or10.4.b.2. the ACEPPRBmay recommend to the WVBE to approve a partnership's application to operate an alternative program to prepare highly-qualified special education teachers if the proposed program, in all material respects, complies or will comply with all components of an alternative certification program as set forth in this policy; or10.4.b.3. the ACEPPRB may recommend to the WVBE to approve a partnership's application to operate an alternative program for highly-qualified special education teachers if the proposed alternative program, in all material respects, complies or will comply with all components of an alternative certification program as set forth in this policy.10.5. WVBE Approval of Alternative Certification Program.10.5.a. Request to Become an Alternative Certification Program Provider and Alternative Certification Program Approval by the ACEPPRB. 10.5.a.1. A partnership shall make written notification to the WVBE of its intent to become an alternative certification program provider at least 60 days prior to the ACEPPRB's scheduled meeting. The official submission of written proposals for an alternative certification program from the partnership shall be received by the WVDE at least 45 days prior to the ACEPPRB's scheduled meeting. All written program proposals must be complete when received by the WVDE, including all required components of an alternative certification program proposal and the required partnership agreement described within section 5.3 and section 6. Incomplete proposals will not be processed or approved by the ACEPPRB. Exceptions to the timeframe for the official submission of written proposals for an alternative certification program may be made at the discretion of the WVDE.10.6. Recommendation for Approval from the ACEPPRB to the WVBE.10.6.a. Upon recommendation from the ACEPPRB, the WVBE may grant approval of alternative certification programs as follows:10.6.a.1. following a review and recommendation by the ACEPPRB, the WVBE may grant initial approval to a new or revised alternative certification program provider. Initial Approval Status may be granted by the WVBE for a period of up to three school years. The alternative certification program provider will be required to document its progress and ensure the success of its graduates to promote student achievement in the public schools in West Virginia. During the initial approval status, the alternative certification program provider may make recommendations for licensure of those who successfully complete its program. Programs approved for Initial Approval Status by the WVBE prior to June 1, 2021, will remain on the status until the completion of the five-school-year period for which the program was originally approved. Programs officially recommended for Initial Approval Status by the ACEPPRB as a result of their Summer semester meeting and subsequently approved by the WVBE will have their first school year of Initial Approval Status begin as the school year immediately following the ACEPPRB meeting. All program providers approved by the WVBE for Initial Approval Status may have their program reviewed near the end of the final school year for which the program was approved, to occur during the ACEPPRB Summer semester meeting(s), to make a recommendation to the WVBE for either Continuing Approval Status or Probationary Approval Status.10.6.a.2. following a review and recommendation by the ACEPPRB, the WVBE may grant Continuing Approval Status to those alternative certification program providers who have documented success with its program completers. Success is measured through the analysis of data to include successful program completion, retention rates of program completers, teacher evaluations, and other factors determined by the WVDE in consultation with stakeholders. For an approved program to remain on the Continuing Approval Status, a program review will take place on a five-school-year cycle.10.6.a.3. following a review and recommendation by the ACEPPRB, the WVBE may assign Probationary Approval Status to alternative certification program providers that fail to document adequate progress and/or success with program participants and completers. Section 13 provides details for programs placed on a Probationary Approval Status.10.6.a.4. when the ACEPPRB submits official recommendations to the WVBE for Continuing Approval Status or Probationary Approval Status, program effectiveness is evaluated based upon compliance and performance measures, with an opportunity to include a written opinion that is reflective of its members for WVBE consideration.W. Va. Code R. § 126-161-10