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EXIT POLICY FOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS:
The Texas Administrative Code requires all educator preparation programs to publish an exit policy and provide it to candidates for review and signature upon program admission. 19 TAC §228.20(h)
PROGRAM DISMISSAL:
The mission of the Austin College Teacher Program (ATP) is to prepare candidates for classroom leadership based on the expectations of the Texas Education Agency and best practice. Once a candidate has accepted contingency admission into the ATP, their retention in the program is based on progress and effectiveness as a learner and a teacher. The faculty considers not only academic abilities and skill performance, but also continued growth in the competencies of collaboration, honesty/integrity, respect, reverence for learning, emotional maturity, reflection, flexibility, responsibility, professionalism, and communication. Retention in the program requires the following:
- Academic Standards: The candidate must continue to meet the academic standards of the program in order to continue, both in terms of grades and the originality/integrity of submitted coursework. (2.75 cumulative GPA and 2.75 GPA in major/certification field for BA, and a 3.0 cumulative GPA in all graduate coursework).
- Certification Standards: The candidate will adhere to expectations regarding testing timelines and certification protocols. The student will actively prepare for testing through their coursework, preparation materials, and cohort meetings. Students must demonstrate the necessary proficiencies by the set times to receive permission to take their state tests.
- Professional-Ethical Standards: The candidate must demonstrate professional standards of behavior that align with the ATP’s competencies, and with TEA’s Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators.
Students assessed as having difficulty with coursework, placement, testing, or competencies will receive feedback concerning their progress from the appropriate faculty and/or program lead. In the vast majority of cases, a candidate who is struggling will be given a plan for improvement with a timeline and various supports. Supports could include, but are not limited to: extra observations, check-in meetings, additional reflection, additional materials, and mandatory timelines. Candidates who continually fail to meet the requirements listed above may be dismissed from the program at the discretion of the review committee.
If a student withdraws from the ATP of their own accord, based on their own needs, they will be deemed leaving in “Good Standing.” If a student is withdrawn from our program for failure to meet academic requirements (low GPA) or certification requirements (failure to take/pass tests in a timely fashion), they will be deemed leaving in “Good Standing.” If a student is exited from the program for violations to the Code of Ethics, or due to a termination of their teaching position, they will be deemed as leaving “Not in Good Standing.” Candidates dismissed from Austin College will be automatically dismissed from the ATP. Any candidate leaving the ATP in “Good Standing” can reapply for program admission, so long as they are within their two-year window and meet any necessary requirements.
NOTE: If a candidate wishes to transfer to another EPP, their withdrawal status must be reported to that EPP.