Educator Preparation Innovation Center

Advisory Committee Handbook

2017-18

Educator Preparation Innovation Center

Advisory Committee Handbook

It is the mission of the Educator Preparation Innovation Center (EPIC)to provide authentic preparation with quality instructor and candidate interaction that models integrated technology, differentiated instruction, and research-based reliable feedback so that teachers will be fully prepared to enter a successful lifelong teaching career.

EPIC will provide teachers the skills and tools to recognize and unlock the potential excellence in all students, regardless of the student’s background, needs, current level of performance, or any situations one might identify as obstacles to success.

In addition to required areas of training (ethics, technology, dyslexia, & mental health), EPIC will provide teachers experience and expertise in areas necessary to avoid common pitfalls of beginning teachers, including:

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•Organization & time management

•Pro-active classroom management

•Effective Communication

•Planning for Substitutes

•Parent Involvement

•Lesson Planning

•Authentic Assessments

•Data Disaggregation

•Cultural Competence

•Special Education

•Section 504

•Gifted Education

•Action Research

•Personal Health & Wellness

•Student Health & Wellness

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EPIC Core Values

Commitment

Integrity

High Expectations

Collaboration

Background

Each Educator Preparation Program must follow regulations set forth by the State Board for Educator Certification. The Texas Administrative Code (19 TAC §228.20) lists requirementsregardingGovernance of Educator Preparation Programs:

(a) Preparation for the certification of educators may be delivered by an institution of higher education, regional education service center, public school district, or other entity approved by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) under §228.10 of this title (relating to Approval Process).

(b) The preparation of educators shall be a collaborative effort among public schools accredited by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and/or TEA-recognized private schools; regional education service centers; institutions of higher education; and/or business and community interests; and shall be delivered in cooperation with public schools accredited by the TEA and/or TEA-recognized private schools. An advisory committee with members representing as many as possible of the groups identified as collaborators in this subsection shall assist in the design, delivery, evaluation, and major policy decisions of the educator preparation program (EPP). The approved EPP shall inform each member of the advisory committee of the roles and responsibilities of the advisory committee and shall meet a minimum of once during each academic year.

The Purpose of the Advisory Committee

During the 2014-15 school year, TEA developed an EPP Annual Advisory Committee training that summed up the purpose of the Advisory Committee – “Preparing the Best Educators for Our Children!” More specifically, Advisory Committee members shall meet once during program development then once per year to review program information and assist in the design, delivery, evaluation, and major policy decisions of the educator preparation program (EPP).

Advisory Committee Members

The EPIC Advisory Committee will consist of members from at least three of the four following entities:

  • public schools accredited by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and/or TEA-recognized private schools;
  • regional education service centers;
  • institutions of higher education; and/or
  • business and community interests.

Personal Qualifications

According to EPIC Advisory Committee Bylaws, eachAdvisory Committee member will:

  • Be a representative from business or industry, appointed by the EPP Director
  • Be sensitive to the views of the members
  • Be able to listen critically
  • Exercise good judgment and fairness
  • Be able to work closely with the teacher
  • Be well informed
  • Actively participate in committee meetings

Member Selection & Appointment

Prospective members will be identified from the community through EPP association and word of mouth, and nominations can be forwarded to the EPP Director at any time throughout the year. The EPP Director will work collaboratively with EPP staff to evaluate each nominee for appropriateness of their positions as aligned with the EPIC mission. Once selected, potential committee members will be sent an official letter requesting their commitment to serve on the EPIC Advisory Committee.

Term of Membership

Each EPIC Advisory Committee Member will serve for at least a one-year term. Members wishing to discontinue service may do so at any time by contacting the EPP Director. The EPP Director will confirm and document the end of service in writing.

Committee Member Training

The EPP will provide EPIC Advisory Committee training to all members, in written format and through this handbook. The training will include:

  1. Program Review
  2. Focus on Curriculum
  3. Educator Standards
  4. Initial Certification Preparation Curriculum
  5. Texas Educators’ Code of Ethics TAC
  6. Focus on Field Supervision
  7. Cooperating Teacher/Mentor Teacher
  8. Field Supervision
  9. Accountability Mandates
  10. Accreditation Status
  11. Consumer Information Posted on the TEA’s Website
  12. Fees for Educator Preparation Program Approval & Accountability

Advisory Committee Members will sign a receipt of handbook as well as a completion of training.

Advisory Committee Member Responsibilities

Each EPIC Advisory Committee member is responsible for actively participating in Advisory Committee Meetings, providing honest and respectful feedback and input on program development, and assist in the design, delivery, evaluation, and major policy decisions of the educator preparation program (EPP)

Advisory Committee Meetings

Frequency

Advisory Committee Meetings will be held at least once during program development and at least once per year.

Agenda

An agenda will be provided to members prior to each meeting that includes the following components:

  1. Call to Order
  2. Roll Call
  3. Approval of Minutes
  4. Adoption of the Agenda
  5. Unfinished Business
  6. Reports
  7. Plans for next meeting
  8. Other items
  9. Adjournment

In addition to a review and discussions regarding the design, delivery, evaluation, and major policy decisions of the educator preparation program, the Texas Education Agency has identified items to discuss during Advisory Committee Meetings:

1.Number of current candidates

2.Admission Criteria – note any changes from previous year

3.Curriculum – note any changes from previous year

4.Program and Curriculum Evaluation

5.Input on Field-Based Experiences

a.Anticipated number of candidates doing field experiences

b.Number of and sites to be recommended for field experiences

c.Candidate experiences and interaction with field-experiences

d.Verification/documentation processes for field-experiences

e.Diversity of student populations in field experiences

6.Field Supervision

a.Field supervisor/mentor training

b.Number of observations required

c.Observation schedule

d.Process for observations

e.Feedback to candidate and principal

7.Hiring Trends in the Districts

Minutes

Minutes will be taken by EPP staff, forwarded to members following each meeting, and maintained in a permanent record once approved at subsequent meetings. (See sample meeting minutes format, page 9.)

Sample Plan for EPIC Advisory Committee Minutes

Date of Meeting:

Members Present: List names of committee members present.

Members Absent: List names of committee members absent.

Others Present: List names of other guests in attendance.

Call to Order: Identify the time that the committee was called to order and the introductory remarks given by the EPP Director.

Minutes: Minutes of the last meeting should be approved, either as submitted or with revisions as needed.

Unfinished Business: If any unfinished business was left from the last meeting, identify how it was handled here. If not, put “no unfinished business was brought before the committee.”

New Reports: List any reports to be reviewed and/or evaluated by the committee.

New Business: Include notes from any new business brought before the committee, including specific input from each member.

Plans for next meeting: Identify any tentative plans for the next meeting.

Adjournment: Identify what time the meeting was adjourned.

Signature: Include the signature of the EPP Director when approved.

Bylaws for the EPIC Advisory Committee

Article I – Name and Purpose

This committee shall be known as the EPIC Advisory Committee.

The EPIC advisory committee shall assist in the design, delivery, evaluation, and major policy decisions of the educator preparation program (EPP). It will provide leadership in and promote the development of the educator preparation program as it relates to and meets the needs of the students, the community, and the public. The Committee shall advise the teachers in the program and the administration on matters related to the program area.

The approved EPP shall inform each member of the advisory committee of the roles and responsibilities of the advisory committee and shall meet a minimum of once during each academic year.

Article II – Membership

  1. Number of Members
  1. A simple majority of the members will be representative of business and industry. In addition, representative should include a student in the program and representatives from the educational community.
  1. Appointments and Terms
  1. Each appointment of an advisory committee member shall be for at least one year.
  1. An advisory committee member will be removed from the committee if he/she fails to participate planning or annual meeting. (Participation may be in person, through video/audio participation, or email prior to or after the meeting.)
  1. Advisory Committee members may submit names of potential members for the committee. Final recommendations are made by the EPP Director.
  1. Following the initial EPP development phase, the term of a new Committee member shall begin on September 1st.

Section A: Members and Duties

  • Be a representative from business or industry, appointed by the EPP Director
  • Be sensitive to the views of the members
  • Be able to listen critically
  • Exercise good judgment and fairness
  • Be able to work closely with the teacher
  • Be well informed
  • Actively participate in committee meetings

Section B: Meetings

  • At least one planning meeting during program preparation and one regular meeting of the Committee shall be held during the school year.
  • Written or electronic notice of each regular meeting will be sent to members.
  • Special meetings of the committee may be called by the EPP Director as needed throughout the year.
  • The time of advance notice shall be appropriate in terms of the reason for the urgency of the meeting.

Section C: Recommendations and Reports

  • Any recommendations from the committee shall be in written form. They shall include the number of committee members present and the number favoring the recommendation.
  • All recommendations shall be presented to the program coordinator to division chairperson, who shall then present them to the administration, who shall present them to the governing board if necessary.

Section D: Evaluating Committee Effectiveness

  • The program advisory committee will evaluate effectiveness as part of the annual meeting each year.

Section E: Bylaws Changes

  • These bylaws may be amended or added to by two-thirds vote of active members at any regular or special meeting if at least ten days written notice has been given to each member.

Educator Preparation Innovation Center

Advisory Committee Training Confirmation

I have received a copy of the EPIC Advisory Committee Handbook (2017-18) and a copy of the EPIC Advisory Committee Training (2017-18), and I understand and agree to the requirements of being an EIPC Advisory Committee member.

Name:
Signature / Date

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