In 2013 , standards for teacher training programs across the country became more rigorous , and Tennessee began considering new policies to align with these higher expectations . The following year , in 2014 , the Tennessee State Board of Education ( SBE ) revised the Educator Preparation Policy , which raised expectations for how preparation programs are reviewed and approved , in addition to changing program admission requirements . This 2014 policy also clarified the requirements for what educator preparation programs must offer , including opportunities to work in a classroom setting before graduating . The following section highlights some of the required components of preparation programs , such as student teaching , and reviews some of the key aspects of the 2014 Educator Preparation Policy .
Educator Preparation Policy and Governance
The SBE is the governing and policymaking agency for pre-K-12 public schools in the state and oversees policies related to becoming a teacher . In October 2014 , the SBE adopted the Tennessee Educator Preparation Policy . The board designed this policy to ensure that all approved EPPs meet rigorous standards for accreditation . 10 The SBE also sets policy regarding educator licensure . Educator licensure requirements ensure that individuals who serve in Tennessee classrooms and schools meet minimum standards . 11
In Tennessee , educator licensure programs can be offered by higher education institutions , Tennessee school districts ( local education agencies or LEAs ), educationrelated organizations ( EROs ), or the Tennessee Department of Education ( TDOE ). The SBE is responsible for approving all EPPs and the licensure programs they offer . 12 The program approval and review process is an important way to assess the performance of programs and ensure that they are adequately preparing teachers for the classroom . SBE policy also outlines minimum requirements for each EPP , including establishing admission requirements , creating collaborative partnerships with LEAs , and ensuring that programs offer field or clinical experiences to candidates . The TDOE , led by the commissioner of education , is primarily responsible for implementing federal and state education laws and regulations , including SBE policies .
Educator Preparation Programs in Tennessee
Twenty-eight of the state ’ s forty EPPs are offered by private universities or colleges and members of the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association ( TICUA ). Six public university EPPs are Tennessee Board of Regents ( TBR ) institutions . The University of Tennessee is a separate state system with its own trustees , and three EPPs are part of this system . The remaining three are referred to as alternative providers and are typically associated with EROs . The three EROs in Tennessee are Teach for America-Memphis , The New Teacher Project-Nashville , and the Nashville Teacher Residency . Appendix A contains information on the number of completers from each EPP .
Background of Program Completers
Demographics and Diversifying the Teaching Population . In 2013-14 , the most recent year for which data are available , 4,224 pre-
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