General Statement - Educator Preparation Programs

General Statement – Educator Preparation Programs

Pursuant to Education Code Section 44227 (and 44265 where applicable for Education Specialist Program) each program of professional preparation that leads to a teaching or services credential shall adhere continually to the following requirements of California State Law or Commission Policy. Each institution must respond to the general preconditions as well as all other applicable program specific preconditions.

(1) Accreditation and Academic Credit

The program(s) must be operated by

Institutions of higher education: A college or university that (i) is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges or another of the six regional accrediting associations, and (ii) grants baccalaureate academic credit or post baccalaureate academic credit, or both. An institution approved to offer educator preparation in California must notify the Commission within 30 days if its regional accreditation status changes.
School districts or other non-regionally accredited entities: The Superintendent or CEO of the district or entity shall submit a signed letter noting district leadership continued support for the program.

Response:

National University has been accredited by the WASC Senior Commission of Colleges and Universities since 1977. After the institution’s last review in 2020, its accreditation was reaffirmed for ten years. The university grants both baccalaureate and post baccalaureate academic credit.

https://www.wscuc.org/institutions/national-university/

(2) Enrollment and Completion

Once a candidate is accepted and enrolls in an educator preparation program, the approved program sponsor must offer the approved program, meeting the adopted standards, until the candidate:

completes the program;
withdraws from the program;
is dropped from the program based on established criteria; or
is admitted to another approved program to complete the requirements, with minimal disruption, for the authorization.

In the event the program closes, a teach out plan, which includes individual transition plans for each candidate as well as a plan for candidates and graduates to access their student records would need to be developed.

Response:

Once a candidate is enrolled and matriculated into an educator preparation program and National University, the approved program is offered until the candidate completes the program, withdraws from the program, is dropped from the program based on established criteria, or is transitioned to another approved program for completion of the authorization.

At any time a credential program is changed or modified based on standard updates, a teach-out plan is developed in collaboration with the Office of the Registrar. Impacted candidates are notified of the teach-out plan and steps for program completion by both the Credentials Office and the Office of the Registrar. National University follows the teach-out policy as dictated by the Department of Education and WSCUC.

Please also see the signed letter from the dean of the Sanford College of Education which includes the statemen t of assurance.

(3) Responsibility and Authority

To be granted continuing accreditation by the Committee on Accreditation, the entity shall provide the following information:

Identify the position within the organizational structure that is responsible for ongoing oversight of all educator preparation programs offered by the entity (including educator preparation programs offered by an extension division, if any).
Provide a description of the reporting relationship between the position described in (a) and the individual(s) who coordinate each educator preparation program offered by the entity. If a reporting relationship is indirect, describe the levels of authority and2 2020 responsibility for each educator preparation program. Include an organizational chart for the institution as well as the division(s) within the institution responsible for the oversight of educator preparation programs; include any parent organization, outside organization(s), or partner(s) who will be involved in the oversight of the educator preparation unit and/or responsible for any aspect of program delivery.
Provide policies to ensure that duties regarding credential recommendations are provided solely by persons who are current employees of the Commission approved institution.

Response:

The position within the organizational structure that is responsible for ongoing oversight of all credential preparation programs offered by National University is the Dean of the Sanford College of Education. The Dean, who serves as the chief academic officer of the college, provides academic leadership to credential programs by promoting ongoing program development and evaluation and by using the faculty governance structures and processes to ensure academic quality. The Dean has the primary responsibility for academic quality of all programs within the Sanford College of Education.

Department Chairs, who report directly to the Dean, are responsible for the overall academic quality and delivery of educator preparation programs, provide leadership to the department faculty, and make recommendations about the recruitment, selection, reappointment, promotion and merit. Each credential program is coordinated by an Academic Program Director (APD) who is the faculty member responsible for maintaining academic currency and rigor of the program and ensures the program meets accreditation standards. The APD serves as the lead discipline expert for the program as well as primary contact for multiple stakeholders. This position collaborates with program faculty in support of student success to conduct program assessment on a regular basis to ensure the program is meeting the needs of the student and the program’s related industry(s) and programmatic accreditation requirements. APDs report directly to their respective Department Chairs.

The Director of Credentials, who reports to the Dean of the Sanford College of Education, has administrative responsibility for the technical and a specialized service associated with credential candidates and oversees the work of Credential Specialists located at the regional academic centers. Credential Program Specialists work with faculty, university supervisors, and field experience coordinators in assigned regions to ensure all placement prerequisites have been met. Credential Specialists provide knowledge to faculty on technical matters related to field experience, including documentation, and requests for exception via the Committee on the Application of Standards (CAS).

The following National University positions are approved to submit credential recommendations to CTC at this time: (2) Credential Technicians; (1) Senior Credential Processor; (1) Supervisor of Standards and Assessments; (1) Supervisor of Alternative Certification Compliance. The list of authorized submitters is managed by the Director of Credentials and only current employees in the positions above are authorized.

Attachment:

SCOE Org Chart

(4) Lawful Practices

To be granted continuing accreditation by the Committee on Accreditation, a program of professional preparation must be proposed and operated by an entity that makes all personnel decisions without unlawful discrimination. These decisions include decisions regarding the admission, retention or graduation of students, and decisions regarding the employment, retention, or promotion of employees.

Response:

National University adheres to all federal, state, and local civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination in employment and education. The University does not discriminate in its admissions practices except as permitted by law, in its employment practices, or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, religion (including religious dress and grooming and having requested accommodation of bona fide religious belief or practice), military status, veteran status, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, political activity, sex/gender. As a recipient of federal financial assistance for education activities, National University is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to ensure that all of its education programs and activities do not discriminate on the basis of sex/gender. Sex includes sex, sex stereotypes, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and pregnancy or parenting status or any other category protected by applicable state or federal law.

National University also prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internal or external to the institution. Sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking are forms of sex discrimination, which are prohibited under Title IX and by National University policy.

Any member of the institutional community, guest, or visitor who acts to deny, deprive, or limit the educational, employment, residential, or social access, opportunities and/or benefits of any member of the National University community on the basis of sex is in violation of the Equal Opportunity, Harassment and Nondiscrimination Policy.

This information can be found in the latest publication of the National University Catalog: https://nu.curriqunet.com/catalog/alias/test/iq/6347

(5) Commission Assurances

To be granted continuing accreditation by the Committee on Accreditation, the program sponsor must:

assure that the sponsor will fulfill all of the applicable standards of program quality and effectiveness that have been adopted by the Commission,
assure that all candidates participating in public school-based field activities hold a Certificate of Clearance from the Commission,
assure that the approved program sponsor will cooperate in an evaluation of the program by an external team or a monitoring of the program by a Commission staff member, and
assure that the approved program sponsor will participate fully in the Commission’s accreditation system, including the timely submission of documents required for accreditation.

Response:

The National University Sanford College of Education fulfills all of the applicable standards of program quality and effectiveness that have been adopted by the Commission; assures that all candidates participating in public school-based field activities hold a Certificate of Clearance from the Commission; cooperates in an evaluation of the program by an external team or a monitoring of the program by a Commission staff member, and participates fully in the Commission’s accreditation system, including the timely submission of document required for accreditation.

Please also see the signed letter from the dean of the Sanford College of Education which includes the statement of assurance.

(6) Requests for Data

To be granted continuing accreditation by the Committee on Accreditation, the entity must identify a qualified officer responsible for reporting and responding to all requests from the Commission for data including, but not limited to, program enrollments, program completers, examination results, including performance assessments, and state and federal reporting within the time limits specified by the Commission. Institutional contact information must be updated annually.

Response:

National University and the Sanford College of Education are committed to responding in a timely manner to all requests by the Commission for data regarding program enrollments, completions, and examination results. The qualified officer responsible for reporting and responding to all requests from the Commission for data is the Sanford College of Education Director of Assessment, Accreditation, and Clinical Practice, in coordination with the College’s Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.

National University understands that it is responsible for checking the contact information listed on the Commission’s approved programs page to review and make any necessary updates at least once a year.

(7) Veracity in all Claims and Documentation Submitted.

To be granted continuing accreditation by the Committee on Accreditation, the entity must positively affirm the veracity of all statements and documentation submitted to the Commission.

Response:

The National University Sanford College of Education positively affirms the veracity of all statements and documentation submitted to the Commission.

Please also see the signed letter from the dean of the Sanford College of Education which includes the statement of assurance.

(8) Grievance Process.

To be granted continuing accreditation by the Committee on Accreditation, the approved program sponsor must have a clearly delineated grievance process for candidates and applicants. The grievance process information must be accessible to all candidates and applicants and the institution must be prepared to provide documentation that candidates have been informed of the grievance process and that the process has been followed.

Response:

Grievance processes are outlined in the National University General Catalog published on the institution’s website: https://nu.curriqunet.com/catalog/alias/test/iq/6347

In addition, here are the pages from the catalog that describe the grievance process:

Students may also find resources to engage with the Office of Student Affairs, which advocates for accepted norms of fairness, decency and ethical behavior, adherence to the letter and spirit of National University policies, and prevention of delay, complication, and unresponsiveness in the application of University rules and processes. https://www.nu.edu/student-services/student-affairs/

Candidates are informed of the existence of the grievance process during the enrollment advising process at the university. As students are onboarded with National University, advisors run through a checklist of information including each area of the catalog to ensure candidates are aware of where the information can be found. In addition, the grievance policy is noted in the enrollment agreement signed by all students entering the university. Here is the excerpt from the enrollment agreement:

Please also find the full enrollment agreement here.

The asynchronous orientation in the learning management system covers the following:

The process for reporting a concern. Students are directed to the “Reportit” page – https://www.nu.edu/reportit/.
Office of Institutional Equity (OIE)
Policies and procedures and link to the catalog

In addition, each online course shell provides students with information on where to find support for Title IX grievances. All SCOE courses utilize an online course shell:

(9) Faculty and Instructional Personnel Participation.

All faculty and instructional personnel employed by colleges and universities who regularly teach one or more courses in an educator preparation program leading to a credential, shall actively participate in the public school system at least once every three academic years, appropriate to their credential area. Faculty who are not in the Department, School or College of Education are exempt from this requirement. Reference: Education Code Section 44227.5 (a) and (b).

Response:

Faculty who teach one or more courses in an educator preparation program verify that they actively participate in a public school at least once every three academic years. These verifications are stored in the electronic system for staffing classes. Many of our Part-Time faculty are currently employed full time in the K-12 public school system.

Here is a list of National University Sanford College of Education faculty to whom this precondition applies and how they have participated in a public school system within the past three years:

(10) Communication and Information.

To be granted continuing accreditation by the Committee on Accreditation, the approved program sponsor must provide easily accessible and accurate information to the public, prospective educators, and enrolled candidates about the requirements for admission and successful completion for all its educator preparation programs.

Response:

National University makes public the requirements for admission and successful completion for all its educator preparation programs. This information can be found in:

National University General Catalog: https://nu.curriqunet.com/catalog/alias/test/iq/6349

Sanford College of Education website: https://www.nu.edu/college/school-of-education/

National University Admissions website: https://www.nu.edu/admissions/

(11) Student Records Management, Access, and Security.

To be granted continuing accreditation by the Committee on Accreditation, the sponsor must demonstrate that it will maintain and retain student records in accordance with the institution’s record retention policy. Institutions will provide verification that:

Candidates and graduates will have access to and be provided with transcripts and/or other documents for the purpose of verifying academic units and program completion.
All candidate records will be maintained at the main institutional site or central location (paper or digital copies).
Records will be kept securely in locked cabinets or on a secure server located in a room not accessible by the public.

Response:

The program provides candidates with access to their transcripts and other student records through the institution’s registrar’s office. Students may place Official transcript orders on the Parchment website. Any other student records requests can be sent to [email protected].

Candidates will have access to their records after they graduate or transfer. Alumni may place Official transcript orders on the Parchment website. Any other student records requests can be sent to [email protected]. Students will be contacted via personal email if records are scheduled for destruction.

National University student records are maintained at a central location in the institution’s secure database called OnBase. OnBase Web Server provides users with secure, Web-based access to data and documents. The web-based access requires specific user name and passwords to access the data.

NU maintains student educational records, provides students access to their records, and keeps information contained in those records confidential as required by FERPA. FERPA covers anyone who is or has enrolled at the University, including:

Active students currently enrolled in a program
Former students and alumni
Administrative team members, full-time faculty members, and part-time faculty members

When operating websites, NU must take special measures to ensure the confidentiality of the information is protected. A privacy statement appears on the websites that explains what information NU may collect through our websites, why NU collects such information, how the information is protected, and the choices stakeholders have about how NU uses the information.

The University safeguards this information and to ensure the stakeholders are protected.

The University maintains Enrollment, Financial Aid and Disciplinary documents for up to five years and Transcript documentation indefinitely.

National University maintains the following policies:

Disclosure of Employee and Student Records Policy
Privacy Policy: https://www.nu.edu/privacy/
Student Rights and Responsibilities policy: https://www.nu.edu/student-rights-responsibilities/

(12) Disclosure.

Institutions must disclose information regarding any outside organizations that will be providing any direct educational services as all or part of the educator preparation programs sponsored by the institution and identify the type of services the outside organization will provide.

Response:

There are no outside agents that provide direct educational services to educator preparation programs at National University.