What is the BOT?

The Board of Teaching was created by the Minnesota Legislature in 1973 to provide leadership for improvements in teacher education programs and to assure that the state has well-qualified, professional teachers to guide Minnesota students to academic excellence. An eleven-member Board, appointed by the Governor, consists of six classroom teachers, one higher education faculty member, one school administrator, and three members of the public. These teaching professionals determine the standards and practices that serve the state's teachers and teacher preparation institutions.

The Personnel Licensing Office issues licenses to teachers, school administrators, and other education professionals working in Minnesota's schools. They coordinate the review of all college programs to ensure that they meet the requirements of both the State Board of Teaching and the State Board of School Administrators. For more information go to http://education.state.mn.us.

What is the History of the BOT at SMSU and why is it important?

The teacher education program at Southwest Minnesota State College was first approved by the Minnesota Department of Education in 1971. After the BOT was created, it had authority to review teacher education programs. The formal review process occurs every five to seven years. With each visit to Southwest State University, the BOT has granted continuing approval of the teacher education program. The most recent visit was in October 1996.

With changes to the BOT program standards in the late-1990s, each teacher preparation program in Minnesota was required to resubmit their programs for review. Southwest began this process in 1997. By fall 2001 all of the existing and newly revised programs had been approved.

BOT standards support the high quality education that is a part of the mission of Southwest Minnesota State University for undergraduate and graduate level programs. The review process provides a systematic means for continuous assessment and advancement of teacher education programs.

What is involved with the self-study process?

While the accreditation process requires a self-study, program review is also important to Southwest Minnesota State University. An ongoing process of continuous review and development now assures regular monitoring for quality of the program and proficiency of SMSU teacher graduates. The Accreditation Leadership Team (given below) is composed of the Standards Committee Co-Chairs, Accreditation Coordinator, one or two Resource People, and the Dean of the College of Business, Education, Professional and Graduate Studies. The six Standards Committees include education students, SMSU faculty, P-12 school faculty and administrators, and community members. Each Committee oversees the review of one of the six standards areas. The Leadership Team coordinates the entire self-study process.

There are 53 BOT standards under eight main categories (1. Professional and Pedagogical Studies, 2. General and Content Studies, 3. Clinical and Field Experiences, 4. Candidate Qualifications, 5. Monitoring and Advising Candidate Progress, 6. Competence of Candidates, 7. Qualifications, Composition, and Assignment of the Professional Education Faculty, and 8. Institutional Governance. An Institutional Report on Teacher Education 2003 addresses how SMSU meets the 53 BOT standards.

What is the schedule for the BOT visit to SMSU?

The Minnesota Board of Teaching visit is scheduled for November 9-12, 2003 (Sunday through Wednesday). A Previsit is scheduled for Thursday, September 18, 2003.

How can people get more information?

The following people make up the Accreditation Leadership Team (FY2003):

Standard 1. Candidate Knowledge, Skills, and Dispositions
Connie Morton, 507-537-7115, mortonc@SouthwestMSU.edu
Lloyd Petersen, 507-537-7254, petersen@ SouthwestMSU.edu

Standard 2. Assessment System and Unit Evaluation
Dennis Lamb, 218-855-8133, lambd@ SouthwestMSU.edu
Loren Wiger, 507-537-6212, wigerl@ SouthwestMSU.edu

Standard 3. Field Experiences and Clinical Practice
Paulette Stefanick, 507-537-6948, Paulette.Stefanick@marshall.k12.mn.us
Eileen VanWie, 507-537-7129, vanwieek@ SouthwestMSU.edu

Standard 4. Diversity
Linda Jagielo, 507-537-6135, ljagielo@ SouthwestMSU.edu
Karen Sterner, 507-537-6156, kster2@ SouthwestMSU.edu

Standard 5. Faculty Qualifications, Performance, and Development
Verna Nassif, 507-537-7671, vnassif@ SouthwestMSU.edu
Eleanor Pobre, 507-537-6323, pobre@ SouthwestMSU.edu

Standard 6. Unit Governance and Resources
JoAnne Glasgow, 507-537-6248, glasgow@ SouthwestMSU.edu
Dicksy Howe-Noyes, 507-537 6231, dicksy@ SouthwestMSU.edu

Accreditation Coordinator - Eileen VanWie, 507-537-7129, vanwieek@ SouthwestMSU.edu
Resource Person - Jody Mohr, 507-537-7442, jmohr@ SouthwestMSU.edu
Resource Person - Debbie VanOverbeke, 507-537-7115, VanOverbeke@ SouthwestMSU.edu
Dean - George Mitchell, 507-537-6218, gmitchell@ SouthwestMSU.edu

Accreditation Office - IL 242, 507-537-6290, n.cate.bot@SouthwestMSU.edu

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