Professional Educators' Council (A-6)
Original Implementation: September 1, 1987
Last Revision: January 25, 2011
Since its establishment in 1923 as a teachers’ college, Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) has played a leading role in preparing professional personnel for the public schools of Texas. The preparation of highly competent teachers, principals, superintendents, and other school personnel to staff the schools of the state continues to be a major function of the university.
Preparation of teachers and other professional educators is a university-wide function governed by policies developed by the university’s Professional Educators’ Council. In developing and executing policies, the council gives due consideration to:
- relevant state and federal law;
- university policies and procedures;
- recommendations from appropriate advisory committees;
- guidelines of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB);
- rules of the Texas Education Agency (TEA)/State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC); and,
- program standards of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and professional standards of organizations affiliated with NCATE and with other national accreditation organizations.
The council’s responsibilities include:
- maintaining accreditation by SBEC, NCATE, and other national organizations to ensure program quality;
- reviewing proposals for changes in teaching field programs and in professional education programs to ensure appropriate curricula; and,
- establishing criteria for program admission and retention, and for recommendation for educator certification or licensing.
The council is chaired by the dean of the James I. Perkins College of Education and is composed of faculty members appointed by the provost and vice president for academic affairs (VPAA) from nominees submitted by the dean after consultation with the deans of other colleges offering the various teaching fields. Other members of the council include the associate dean of the College of Education, who serves as council secretary, and two student representatives appointed by the dean.
Cross Reference: General Bulletin, Graduate Bulletin, Tex. Educ. Code § 21.044
Responsible for Implementation: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Contact for Revision: Dean of the James I. Perkins College of Education
Forms: None
Board Committee Assignment: Academic and Student Affairs