This article outlines the responsibilities and commitments of both the LEA and Reach University, as mutually agreed upon, for the graduate programs.
Pursuant to the terms of this agreement, the Local Education Agency shall:
- Assign an LEA-Appointed University Contact (e.g., site principal or manager) to act as a liaison for the Reach Teachers College Division of Graduate Studies. This representative will be required to meet regularly with the program director or faculty members to discuss progress and provide any support the candidates may need.
- Alternatives in Action will select placement sites that demonstrate commitment to collaborative evidence-based practices and continuous improvement, have partnerships with appropriate and other educational, social, and community entities that support teaching and learning, place students with disabilities in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), provide robust programs and support for English learners, reflect the extent possible socioeconomic and cultural diversity, and permit video capture for candidate reflection and California Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA) completion and the Literacy Performance Assessment (LPA). We ask our districts to have a recording policy in place to accommodate TPA video assessment.
- All multiple-subject candidates must be placed in a classroom designed to provide candidates with the most comprehensive clinical practice experiences possible with regard to literacy instruction for all students. Placements should provide candidates with opportunities to work with other education professionals and veteran practitioners as they work with students at risk for or with dyslexia or other literacy-related disabilities. Intern teachers must be at sites that allow the Intern teacher to practice and implement screening and diagnostic techniques that inform teaching and assessment and early intervention techniques.
- Intern teachers should be placed in sites that provide ample opportunity to practice a strong literature, language, and comprehension component with a balance of oral and written literacy skills and the additional cross-cutting themes in literacy, especially in the literacy areas of making meaning, language development, and effective expression.
- The Local Education Agency will ensure that all site administrators with mentors and/or Intern teachers on staff have been informed about the Alternatives in Action (Reach University) Teacher Intern program processes and materials and stay current with changing program requirements, including program alignment to the Literacy Standards and Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs).
- Identify a state-certified supervisor who will confirm apprenticeship enrollment and monitor progress using the Craft data reporting system for all candidates enrolled in a registered apprenticeship program. Craft collects data required by education and workforce regulators, including college and university accreditors, local workforce development boards, and the U.S. Department of Labor.
- Identify a Local Education Agency Designee who will verify the employment of candidates enrolled in Reach University programs each term.
- Inform Reach University if the Local Education Agency will cover enrolled employees' tuition costs. Billing takes place once per term in September and February.
Pursuant to this Agreement, Reach University shall:
- Provide and supervise the Commission (CCTC)-approved programs.
- Comply and submit reports or other information on matters related to accreditation or program information related to program requirements and activities to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC), and California Department of Education (CDE), and Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), as required.
- Solicit feedback from stakeholders to guide the development and continuous improvement of processes and systems.
- Facilitate Program-specific Advisory Councils.
- Submit verifying information/recommendation to the CCTC on behalf of the candidate in order to apply for the applicable CA Credential.
- Establish effective and ongoing communication between the Local Education Agency or site and Reach University as appropriate to ensure a successful teaching experience for the candidate.
- Provide candidates with procedures to document and monitor the CCTC-required hours of mentoring and support from the employer and Reach University.
- Verify qualifications of all coaches/mentors and provide final approval for all candidate and coach/mentor partnerships according to CCTC guidelines.
- Provide professional development and support for coaches/mentors/site support. supervisor.
- Provide orientation to Reach programming (Intern or Induction).
- Communicate with candidates and coaches/mentors in a timely manner.
- Verify that the candidate has successfully completed all program and credential requirements.
- Provide all CCTC required coursework to ensure candidates are prepared to teach and assess literacy skills (foundational, written, and oral) and work with students needing intervention when available.
Pursuant to this Agreement, both parties shall each, in good faith:
- Refer prospective candidates to Reach University.
- Actively participate in shared leadership for the collaboration by attending scheduled meetings to discuss participant and program evaluation.
- Local Education Agency and Reach University shall each, in good faith, direct respective employees to perform the obligations under this Agreement.