Tennessee § 49-5-5618 - Teacher training faculty involvement in pre-kindergarten through grade twelve.

§ 49-5-5618. Teacher training faculty involvement in pre-kindergarten through grade twelve.

All full-time educator preparation program faculty members, including academic deans or executive leaders of such educator preparation programs, who are involved in the preparation of teachers, shall further their professional development through direct personal involvement in the public school or local education agency setting of pre-kindergarten through grade twelve (pre-K-12) on an annual basis. The faculty involvement must include: Professional learning targeted to or led by pre-k through grade twelve (pre-K-12) educators; Professional learning focused on local education agency specific educational initiatives; Direct instruction to pre-k through grade twelve (pre-K-12) students; Curriculum development; District level strategic partnerships; or Direct observation of pre-k through grade twelve (pre-K-12) classrooms. In accordance with state board of education policy, all preparation providers shall establish state-recognized partnerships with each local education agency where enrolled candidates will complete any aspect of clinical practice. Primary partnership agreements must detail how the college of education faculty detailed in subsection (a) shall engage with at least one (1) local education agency and describe faculty involvement activities listed in subsection (b). After implementation, the state board of education shall meet at least annually for structured meetings to coordinate policy on educator preparation, including, but not limited to, collaboration between colleges of education, colleges of education faculty, and local education agencies. The Tennessee higher education commission, the state's educator preparation programs, and the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association shall be invited to participate. The state board of education may review educator preparation programs for noncompliance with this section. This section shall not apply to a solely online college or university. Acts 1984 (1st E.S.), ch. 7, § 74; 2017, ch. 402, § 2; 2018, ch. 1036, § 4; T.C.A., § 49–5–5631. Code Commission Notes. This section was renumbered from § 49-5-5631 to § 49-5-5618 by authority of the Code Commission in 2020.