Initial Program Preconditions 

Initial Program Preconditions

Adopted December 2020

The following two preconditions apply to institutions that fall into one of the two following categories:

1. Commission-approved institutions submitting an educator preparation program proposal through Initial Program Review or
2. Institutions in Stage III of the Initial Institutional Approval process

(1) Demonstration of Need

To be granted initial program accreditation by the Committee on Accreditation, the program sponsor must demonstrate the need for the type of program in the service area in which it will operate or a need for educators prepared through the specific program delivery model. Proposals must include data on the number of individuals currently serving on less than full credentials, where available, in the service area of the proposed program, projected need based on a needs analysis, and affirmations from employers with their anticipated hiring need for individuals with the planned credential.

(2) Collaboration in Program Design and Implementation 

To be granted initial program accreditation by the Committee on Accreditation, the program sponsor must demonstrate evidence of collaboration between institutions of higher education, employers of credentialed educators, and TK-12 practitioners in the design of the program. This evidence must include verification that the partners will share authority and responsibility for the implementation and continuous improvement of the proposed educator preparation program as negotiated in the partnership agreement.