U.S. Department of Education Seeks New Comments on Regulations for Distance Teacher Preparation Programs
On April 1, the U.S. Department of Education published a supplemental notice of proposed rule making (NPRM) regarding teacher preparation programs provided through distance education and addressing TEACH grant eligibility for students enrolled in those programs. This notice reopens public comment on the proposed teacher preparation regulations put forward in December 2014, but only in relation to the stated topics. All comments are due by May 2.
In this NPRM, the Department is considering how states would report on teacher preparation programs provided through distance education, particularly when students in multiple states are enrolled in the same program. The second area of concern is how TEACH grant eligibility would be determined for students in those programs that are available in multiple states.
AACTE members were prolific in responding to the initial NPRM, contributing to the almost 5,000 responses the Department received before the February 2015 deadline. It will be important to have an equally vigorous response to this NPRM.
AACTE is currently reviewing the language of the new notice and will have more detailed analysis and recommendations available shortly. In the meantime, please read the NPRM here, note the deadline in your calendar (MAY 2), and prepare to respond—volume counts!
Tags: federal issues
