10.58.607    ADVANCED CANDIDATE QUALITY, RECRUITMENT, PROGRESSION, AND SUPPORT

(1) The provider:

(a) demonstrates that the quality of advanced program candidates is an ongoing and intentional focus so that completers are prepared to perform effectively and can be recommended for certification where applicable;

(b) develops and implements plans and efforts to know and address local, state, regional, and national needs for hard-to-staff schools and shortage fields.  The goals and evidence show progress toward a high-quality advanced candidate pool, which reflects the diversity of Montana's P-12 students;

(c) sets admissions requirements, including a minimum GPA of 3.0 of the average grade point average of its accepted cohort of candidates, and gathers data to monitor applicants and selected pool of candidates, and designs the selection to completion policy that includes multiple assessment measures to determine admission, continuation in, and completion of programs, using data points that are valid and reliable predictors of advanced candidate success and demonstrate that the standard for high academic achievement and ability is met through multiple evaluations and sources of evidence;

(d) monitors dispositions beyond academic ability that advanced program candidates must demonstrate at admissions and during the program using valid and reliable measures; 

(e) creates criteria for program progression and uses data to monitor advanced candidates from admissions through completion. The provider ensures that knowledge of and progression through transition points are transparent to candidates.  The provider documents the need for candidate support, so advanced candidates meet milestones; and

(f)  implements a system for effectively maintaining records of advanced candidate formal complaints and resolution documentation.

(2) Ensuring that prior to recommending any advanced program candidate for program completion, the provider documents that the advanced program candidate:

(a) possesses academic competency to help facilitate learning with positive impacts on all P-12 student learning and development through application of content knowledge, data literacy and research-driven decision making, effective use of collaborative skills, and application of technology in the field(s) where certification is sought; and

(b) understands the expectations of the profession, including ethical conduct, professional standards of practice, and relevant laws and policies. 

History: 20-2-114, MCA; IMP, 20-2-121, MCA; NEW, 2014 MAR p. 2936, Eff. 7/1/15; AMD, 2023 MAR p. 86, Eff. 7/1/23.