(1)
Modifications: The
Commission must approve modifications to an approved unit or state recognized
licensure, endorsement or specialization program. All modifications must comply
with Chapter 584, Division 400, 410 and 420 and applicable Oregon statutory
provisions.
(2)
Major
modifications: A major modification is a change that substantively
alters the program or Unit as currently recognized or approved by the
Commission.
(3) To request approval
of a major modification to the program or Unit, EPPs must complete the program
major modification process, as provided in the Program Review and Standards
Handbook.
(4) If the EPP is
uncertain if a change to a program should be submitted to the Commission
through the major modification process, the EPP may request clarification from
the Executive Director or designee. The Executive Director or designee must
provide an official response to the EPP that determines whether the change is a
new program, a major modification or a minor modification. The official
response must be provided to the EPP within one month of receiving the request
for clarification.
(5) Major
modifications include, but are not limited to:
(a) Substantive changes to the Unit,
including:
(A) The core mission and
goals;
(B) The legal status, form
of control, or ownership;
(C) The
administration, if the change is a result of the Unit head's termination by the
institution;
(D) Offerings of
academic programs for credit through contractual relationships with external
organizations; and
(E) Structure or
content that results in the EPP no longer meeting Oregon statutes or
administrative rules.
(b)
Substantive changes to Programs, including:
(A) The degree level of the
program;
(B) The core curriculum of
the program, as defined in the Program Review and Standards Handbook;
(C) The core clinical practices requirements,
as defined in the Program Review and Standards Handbook;
(D) Additions of single-subject endorsement
areas within a state-recognized Preliminary Teaching License program.
NOTE: Single-subjects endorsements are defined in
584-400-0020, Definitions.
NOTE: An elimination of a program is not
considered a major modification; instead it is subject to the provisions of
584-400-0090, Elimination of Programs.
(6)
Minor
Modification: A minor modification is a change that affects, but does
not substantively alter, the program or Unit, as currently recognized or
approved by the Commission.
(7) To
request approval of a minor modification to a program or Unit, the EPP must
include minor modifications in the annual report for the academic year in which
the change became effective (September 1 - August 31).
(a) Upon acceptance and approval of the
annual report by the Commission, the minor modification will be considered
included in the state-recognized program or approved Unit.
(b) The effective date of the approved minor
modifications is the effective date noted with the minor modification in the
annual report.
(c) In absence of a
specific effective date in the annual report, the effective date of the
approved minor modification will be the date of submission of the annual report
to the Commission.
(8)
Minor modifications include, but are not limited to:
(a) Additions or elimination of courses, if
the change does not substantively alter the core curriculum of the
program;
(b) Changes to clinical
practices, if the change does not substantively alter the core clinical
practices structure; and
(c)
Changes to delivery of programs, if the change in delivery does not alter the
core curriculum of the program.
NOTE: Course substitutions are not considered
major or minor modifications and are not required to be reported to the
Commission.
(9)
Failure to report required modifications: Upon evidence that an
EPP has failed to report a modification to their state-recognized educator
preparation program or state-approved Unit to the Commission, the Commission
may require the EPP to report on the unit or programs in order to determine if
a modification has occurred.
(10)
If the Commission determines a program or Unit experienced a modification that
was not properly reported, the Commission may require the EPP to undergo a
review of the Unit or program to determine if any further action is
required.