Request for Initial Approval Program: Rule 8705.2100
Checklist for Program Requirements:
SEP Title Alignment
Scope of license
At least one methods course
A required reading course
Minimum 100 field experience hours
Minimum 12 weeks student teaching
3 admission criteria
Candidate competency: at least one assessment evaluates content skills, assessment of specific standards (ex. SEP 4A; ABS 2A2), progress monitored throughout the program
3 exit criteria
Signed fiscal attestation form
Program development includes P-12 school partners and current teachers in program content area
Unit leader has advanced degree in content area
Conventional Criteria
Non-conventional criteria are the same. Non-conventional programs may request waivers for faculty qualifications, credit level, student teaching, and/or field experience. The Program Review Panel (PRP) would review these requests and make a recommendation to the Board.
PELSB staff conducts an initial audit for: SEP Title Alignment, scope of license, reporting year, double counting of credits or hours with SEP or connected application, number of credits, methods course, required reading course, field experience hours, student teaching weeks, admission criteria, key assessments assessing specific content standards and monitoring progress throughout the program, exit criteria, signed fiscal attestation, p-12 school partners, current teachers in content area, and unit leader C.V.
The provider may need to make changes or submit as non-conventional.
Two content reviewers check to make sure that the intent, full breadth and depth, and all aspects of the standards are taught and assessed within the program. Reviewers check to see if information reported in the matrix is validated by the syllabi. Reviewers may contact the provider with questions with the support of PELSB staff. If all standards are met and the program is conventional, skip to step 11. If all standards are met and the program is non-conventional, skip to step 8.
Provider has an opportunity to respond to reviewer comments and make changes.
If RIPA submission is early enough, there can be a second content review.
Provider can offer a response.
The Program Review Panel (PRP) reviews the program application and makes a recommendation to PELSB.
Provider can offer response.
The PRP reviews the program application and makes a recommendation to PELSB.
The Board makes a decision whether the program is approved.
Consider if external reviewers would be able to see the following elements in your RIPA application:
Intent: Does the course content, learning activities, and assessments align with the intent of the standard?
Full Standard: Is the full standard addressed through the learning activity(ies) and assessment(s) specified (not just one aspect of the standard)?
Breadth and depth: Is the breadth and depth of the standard able to be addressed through the identified activities/courses? Are too many standards overloaded into a single course or learning task?
Syllabi Verification: Do the syllabi validate what is reported in the matrix?
For RIPA applications undergoing a second review, consider these recommendations:
Use a different font color or highlight changes in the syllabus to allow reviewers to easily identify additional or changed information.
Upload a document with brief descriptions of changes made as a response to the first reviewers' findings.
Special Education RIPA Guidance
Guidance for meeting the pedagogy standards of MN Rule 8710.2000, the special education core standards of MN rule 8710.5000, and the specific SPED disability area as in MN rules 8710.5050 through 5850.
Submission by August 31 - Recommended for a September start date of the following year. There is time for two external reviews and two Program Review Panel (PRP) reviews if needed.
Submission before December 31 - During this time, priority is given to the review of PERCAS and the RIPAs submitted by August 31. If time allows, new RIPAs will be processed, and only the April PRP evaluation will be possible. Therefore, there is no assurance that the review will be completed in time for launch the following fall semester.
Submission after December 31 - RIPAs may be submitted, but none will begin the review process until July when the new RIPA window commences.
NOTE: All programs where external reviewers have found standards as "not met" and all nonconventional programs must be reviewed by the PRP (February or April), so plan accordingly.
