Responsibilities

The Management Council and the Curriculum Committee of the Teachers Academy approve the design and substance of all curriculum materials prior to submission to the University Curriculum Committee (UCC) or the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC).  The Curriculum Committee has the responsibility for reviewing and approving new and amended course proposals, changes, additions, or deletion of course requirements, including minor changes, within an approved Teachers Academy program and new and amended programs leading to certification.

The Director of The Teachers Academy assists in the consultation process for new and revised programs leading to certification at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.  Upon approval of programs, new or revised course proposals, and curricular or programs changes, the Director of The Teachers Academy signs the New or Amended Course Proposal Guidelines (the blue check sheet, p. 21 of the Curriculum Guide) on behalf of the Curriculum Committee and The Teachers Academy before forwarding the proposal to the author of the materials.  The author of the proposal or program representative sends the materials to the UCC or GSC.  The Executive Cabinet receives, as information, course approvals and curricular changes.

Review Process

In terms of the course review, The Teachers Academy follows the guidelines and procedures established by the UCC and GSC.  To establish a new program leading to certification, temporary authorization is sought from the Division of Teacher Education Services of the SDPI.  Working with the Director of The Teachers Academy or designate, the author of the new program follows the procedures for requesting Temporary Authorization as outlined in the SDPI publication, the North Carolina Approved Teacher Education Programs.

Curriculum materials are submitted for review by the author(s) and the appropriate body/area (division, department, school, college, or faculty committee) from each Teachers Academy program to the Director of The Teachers Academy approximately three weeks before a scheduled meeting.  The materials submitted should include the course or program proposal in the format established by the UCC, the UCC approval sheet, copies of consultations and other correspondence, and materials that explain the relationship of the course to a program or the rationale for a program revision or new program proposal.  The materials will be distributed to committee members 7-10 days prior to the meeting.

The author or designated representative of the program must present supplementary documentation which explains and demonstrates the relationship of the course to a program and the rationale for a program revision or new program proposal including standards suggested by NCATE, SDPI, and learned societies within the program area.  Written narrative, outline, or a matrix are all appropriate forms of documentation.  A program representative will be invited to attend the Curriculum Committee meeting to discuss the proposal and answer questions.

Upon approval of a course or program proposal, the Director of The Teachers Academy signs the Course Approval Sheet on behalf of the Committee and The Teachers Academy and notifies the author of the curriculum materials about the action taken.

Upon approval of a new program seeking temporary certification, the Director of The Teachers Academy sends all materials required for temporary authorization to the Director of the Division of Teacher Education Services of the SDPI.  In addition, the Director of The Teachers Academy sends a letter of information describing the action for the approved program to the Provost, the Department Head or Dean, and the Dean of the School of Education.
 

Adapted from The Teachers Academy Policies and Procedures Handbook, 1993 by the Teachers Academy Curriculum Committee