DISPOSITIONS’ ASSESSMENT PROCESS: Summary
Instructor
1. Identifies dispositions flagged and remediation plans in previous courses for each candidate
2. Evaluates the dispositions identified in his/her course for all candidates. (Instructors are encouraged to flag dispositions of concern as soon as possible during the course so that the candidate can develop steps towards remediation and improvement but at least two weeks before the end of the semester)
3. Identifies dispositions of concern, and formally alerts the candidate(s) as soon as possible through the system (Once a disposition has been flagged and submitted as an assessment, an email message will be sent to the candidate identifying this assessment and reminding the candidate to meet with the instructor and/or advisor to develop a plan for remediation and improvement)
4. Meets at the candidate’s request to review/adapt the candidate’s plan for remediation and improvement (use attached form)
Candidate
1. Meets the expectations for dispositions identified for each course
2. Develops a plan for remediation and improvement for dispositions that have been flagged
3. Requests to meet with the instructor and/or advisor to discuss and adapt the plan as necessary, and meets with him/her
4. Submits a copy of the plan to the advisor to put in his/her file
5. Resolves the dispositional concern during the semester or in subsequent semesters
6. Understands that a first flagging indicates a probationary period that may result in dismissal from the teacher preparation program if a second flagging occurs
7. Understands that he/she can appeal to have the dismissal overturned with appropriate evidence and case presentation to the Chair of the Division, and then if necessary the Admission, Petition and Retention committee, and the Dean.
Advisor
1. Checks dispositions flagged in previous courses for each candidate
2. Checks/meets with the candidate to review/adapt the candidate’s plan for remediation and improvement.
Chair
1. Meets with candidate as the first step in the appeal process, and helps to resolve the appeal.
DISPOSITIONS’ ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Full Text
There is more to being a teacher than making good grades while being a teacher candidate. Faculty in the College of Education observe that while some candidates perform well academically, they may not demonstrate some of the other essential characteristics of an effective teacher. That is, it is critical that the teacher preparation programs at University of Idaho focus on knowledge, dispositions, and performance in our pre-service teachers. The desired outcome is for our pre-service teachers to possess the content, pedagogy, and professional dispositions to be effective teachers.
The dispositions focus on the extent to which pre-service teachers recognize and demonstrate appropriate dispositions commensurate with the teaching profession. A process for evaluating appropriate dispositions and professional dispositions has been formally implemented in each designated teacher education course, ranging from selected dispositions in some courses to all dispositions in courses such as the internship, since Fall, 2004.
Process
The process is a structured system to flag these dispositions well in advance of candidates entering their professional year. These dispositions are identified throughout the professional education core courses (Ed 201, 301, and 302) and subject methods courses within the teacher preparation programs. The system is accessed through the URL: http://coe.ed.uidaho.edu/assessment/
1. The instructor of each course will evaluate candidates when needed during the semester and two weeks before the end of the semester. Instructors are encouraged to flag dispositions of concern as soon as possible during the course so that the candidate can develop steps towards remediation and improvement. For each disposition you will be able to select an assessment (met dispositions for course, remediate to met, emerging, remediate to emerging, and not met), select any specific criteria for items that are assessed as not met, and add comments. The assessment for each disposition is defaulted to ‘Emerging’ for the mid-term assessment and ‘Met’ for the end of semester assessment. Thus, the instructor identifies only those candidates with whom there is a concern and flags the disposition as ‘Not met’; or when the concern is resolved the assessment is changed to ‘Remediated to met’ or ‘Remediated to emerging’. An assessment of ‘Emerging’ is not considered an area of concern and does not need flagging.
2. Once a disposition has been flagged and submitted as an assessment, an email message will be sent to the candidate identifying this assessment and reminding the candidate to meet with the instructor and/or advisor to develop a plan for remediation and improvement (see attached plan format below). This email message will serve as the start of a probationary period and warning that the candidate is in danger of being dismissed from the teacher preparation program if a second flagging occurs in a subsequent semester. Flags include ANY disposition(s) ‘Not met’, or ‘Remediated to met’ or ‘Remediated to emerging’ across two semesters..
3. It is the responsibility of the candidate to develop a plan with the instructor and advisor, and submit a written record of the plan to the instructor and advisor for his/her file. If the concern becomes resolved during the semester, the instructor must change the assessment to ‘Remediated to met’ or ‘Remediated to emerging’. It is the responsibility of the advisor to review candidates for flags and their remediation plans.
4. Instructors, advisors and candidates can access a candidate’s assessments for the course identified at any time. Instructors and advisors are encouraged to screen these assessments each semester, and particularly those of candidates who are on a probationary status. Instructors and advisors are expected to be available to candidates as they develop remediation and improvement plans.
5. When a candidate has been flagged in two semesters, whether in relation to different dispositions, or on the same disposition, he/she will be dismissed from the teacher preparation program for the following semester. A letter will be sent to the candidate indicating his/her dismissal from the program within 30 days of the end of the semester in which the second flag was determined.
6. The candidate may appeal his/her dismissal within 30 days of receiving notice of dismissal by providing evidence and making his/her case before the Chair of his/her Division. The Chair will either uphold the dismissal decision, elect for the candidate to continue in the program, or elect for the candidate to continue by meeting certain expectations and conditions. The candidate can continue the appeal with the Admission, Petition and Retention committee of the College of Education who will resolve the issue in a similar fashion. Finally, the candidate can appeal the decision with the Dean of the College of Education.
Draft – August 2003
Documentation of Candidate’s Plan for
Remediation or Improvement of Disposition(s)
Candidate: ______Other Participants: ______
Course:______Semester/Yr:______
Concern:
Plan:
______
Candidate Signature Faculty Signature
Date: ______Date filed:______
Draft – August 2003