APSU School of Education Dispositions Policy

The School of Education endeavors to prepare candidates who have the ability to become highly competent professionals in education. As a nationally accredited program, the teacher preparation program adheres to the standards and guidelines of the National Council for Accreditation for Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Tennessee State Department of Education (TSDE) program outcomes which are derived from the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC). Within these guidelines, the Teacher Education faculty has the freedom and ultimate responsibility for the selection and evaluation of its teacher candidates; the design, implementation, and evaluations of its curriculum; and the determination of who should be recommended for a degree and teacher licensure. Admission and retention decisions are based not only on prior satisfactory academic performance but also on a range of factors that serve to insure that the candidate can demonstrate the dispositions critical to being a successful teacher. The procedures outlined in this policy are designed to insure the APSU teacher candidate demonstrates those dispositions.

A. Expectations of Teacher Candidate Dispositions

D-1 Form: Expectations of Dispositions for Initial Licensure Form. The Office of the Director of the School of Education will provide all Teacher Education students, faculty, and clinical supervisors with a copy of the Expectations of Dispositions Form (D-1). This form and the dispositions addressed will be discussed in EDUC 2100, EDUC 3070, and EDUC 4080 or equivalent courses, published in appropriate teacher education documents, and reinforced throughout the program. Teacher candidates will be required to sign the D-1 form after faculty and teacher candidates have discussed its contents. D-1 forms will be placed in each teacher candidate’s record in the Office of Teacher Licensure. A copy of the signed form will be provided to each teacher candidate. Teacher candidates will be made aware that repeated violations of these dispositions will constitute grounds for the filing of negative disposition forms and the resulting consequences.

B. Reporting of Teacher Candidate Dispositions 

D-2A Form: Electronic Milestone Disposition Report. Prior to the Milestones 1-3 portfolio review, an Electronic Milestone Disposition Report will be completed electronically by the instructors of EDUC 2100, EDUC 3070, and EDUC 4080 or equivalent MAT course. Any score of 1 or below must be accompanied by documentation that the teacher candidate has been notified in writing of the issue of concern.

D-2B Form: Field Experience Evaluation Form.
For each course that requires a field experience, excluding restricted enrollment classes and clinical teaching, a Field Experience Evaluation Form will be provided to each Cooperating Teacher. The Cooperating Teacher will return these forms to the instructor of each corresponding course. A copy will be provided to the teacher candidate and the original will be placed in the teacher candidate’s record in the Office of Teacher Licensure. Each evaluation form contains eight dispositional questions in addition to questions specific to the course.

D-3 Form: Dispositions Incident Report.
For specific incidences that occur during the semester and need to be addressed immediately, faculty will obtain and file a Dispositions Incident Report.

D-4 Form: Dispositions Course of Action.
For reporting and remediation of multiple negative disposition reports. This is form is complete by the teacher candidates advisor or the Director of the School of Education. See Part C below.

C. Evaluation and Remediation of Teacher Candidate Dispositions

No further action will be taken toward a teacher candidate if one negative report is filed throughout the program. When a teacher candidate receives two negative reports, the teacher candidate’s advisor will be notified prior to preregistration for the next term. The advisor will schedule a meeting with the teacher candidate and all individuals who filed a report to discuss specific concerns that need to be addressed and then complete a Course of Action Memo, detailing the unacceptable behavior(s) and a plan for remediation. This form will be completed and signed by all parties prior to the teacher candidate’s preregistration for the upcoming semester. The teacher candidate will not receive his or her registration run number until this course of action is taken. If a teacher candidate receives a third or subsequent negative report, the Director of Teacher Education will schedule a conference. The Director will meet with the teacher candidate, advisor, and all individuals who filed a report. The teacher candidate will be asked to present any information in this meeting he/she wishes regarding the three offenses. If the outcome of the meeting is that a dispositional issue does exist, a list of remedial actions that the teacher candidate agrees to follow will be prepared in the Course of Action Memo, and both the teacher candidate and Director will sign the agreed course of action to be taken. A copy of the memo and any additional information the teacher candidate provides will be included in the teacher candidate’s record.

If the Director determines that remediation is not appropriate because of the seriousness of the offense or the teacher candidate has failed to address a previous remediation plan, then the Director may recommend the teacher candidate’s dismissal from the Teacher Education Program. The teacher candidate may appeal the decision to the Teacher Education Appeal Committee.

If an incident of a serious nature occurs and requires immediate attention of the Director of Teacher Education, the Director will be notified immediately and the preceding action will occur regardless of the number of offenses. The teacher candidate will be notified that he/she is suspended from participation in activities related to teacher preparation until resolution of the issue. The teacher candidate may appeal the decision to the Teacher Education Appeal Committee.