1707.1 OSSE may deny state approval to an educator preparation provider or subject area program pursuant to sections 1704, 1706, and 1711.1707.2 An educator preparation provider or subject area program may be placed on probation for failing to meet any federal or District of Columbia law or regulation, or to comply with data collection obligations set forth by this chapter.1707.3 Probation may last for two (2) years unless the educator preparation provider or subject area program presents evidence that would otherwise qualify the program for full state approval. If the provider or program provides sufficient evidence, as determined by OSSE, then the program may be granted or returned to fully approved status.1707.4 While an educator preparation provider or subject area program is on probation, it shall continue to provide all annual reporting, as described in Section 1709.1.1707.5 Throughout the probationary period, OSSE shall monitor the progress of an educator preparation provider or subject area program towards attaining full approval. Monitoring shall include review of required data reports and monitoring visits as deemed necessary.1707.6 OSSE may revoke state approval if, after the two-year probation period, it deems an educator preparation provider or subject area program to have not made satisfactory progress toward meeting the standards, reporting or compliance requirements as set forth in this chapter.1707.7 If the educator preparation provider or subject area program is deemed to be making satisfactory progress by the end of the two-year probationary period, the period of probation may be extended for an additional two years. Within thirty (30) days of the notification to the program that its probation is renewed for an additional two-year probationary period, the program shall notify each candidate individually in writing of its probationary status and provide documentation of the notification to OSSE.1707.8 OSSE may suspend or revoke state approval of an educator preparation provider or subject area program that is placed on a probationary approval by OSSE, an external accreditor, or an applicable specialized professional association if the program fails to correct deficiencies under the timeline required by OSSE, the accreditor, or the association, respectively.1707.9 The notice of intent by OSSE to assign probationary approval shall be in writing and include the following:

(a) A statement of the proposed probationary approval, specifying the bases for the proposed action;

(b) Notice of the effective date of the proposed probationary approval; and

(c) A description and timeline of the required evidence, data reports, and monitoring visits as deemed necessary to address the deficiency that resulted in the probationary approval.

1707.10 OSSE may suspend or revoke state approval of an educator preparation provider or subject area program without first placing the provider or program on probation, if the provider or program fails to comply with any provision of this chapter after OSSE has given notice of that failure to comply and under the timeline required by OSSE.

1707.11 The notice of intent to deny, suspend, or revoke approval shall be in writing and include the following:

(a) A statement of the proposed denial, suspension, or revocation, specifying the bases for the proposed action;

(b) Notice of the effective date of the proposed denial, suspension, or revocation;

(c) Notice that an educator preparation provider or subject area program may request an administrative review of the proposed denial, suspension, or revocation by submitting a written request to the State Superintendent or designee, subject to the requirements set forth in subsection 1708.1, within fifteen (15) business days of the date of the written notice; and

(d) Notice that the proposed action shall become final without an administrative review on the sixteenth (16) business day after the date of the notice of the proposed action if the educator preparation or subject area program fails to request an administrative hearing within the time and in the manner specified.

1707.12 OSSE shall provide written notice of its final action to the educator preparation provider or subject area program if no administrative review is requested.

1707.13 The education preparation provider or subject area program shall notify each candidate individually in writing of a final action by OSSE to deny, suspend, or revoke approval of the program no later than fifteen (15) business days of the date of OSSE's final action or administrative determination and provide

documentation of the notification to OSSE.

1707.14 An educator preparation provider shall notify the Higher Education Licensure Commission (established in accordance with the Education Licensure Commission Act of 1976, effective April 6, 1977 (D.C. Law 1-104; D.C. Official Code § 38-1301 et seq.) in writing, of a final action or administrative determination by OSSE to deny, suspend, or revoke approval of the program no later than fifteen (15) business days of the date of OSSE’s final action.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 69 DCR 007389 (June 24, 2022).