Eligible Educator Preparation Providers

(1) Each EPP and SAP that leads to licensure shall be approved by the State Board. (2) The following organizations are eligible to apply for State Board approval to serve as a Tennessee-approved EPP: (a) A Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) accredited Tennessee-based Institution of Higher Education (IHE) authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC); (b) A Tennessee-based Education-Related Organization (ERO) with a physical presence in Tennessee; (c) A Tennessee LEA or a consortium of Tennessee LEAs that have not received the lowest performance determination on the state’s accountability model pursuant to T.C.A. § 49-1-602 in either of the two (2) most recent school years where performance determinations on the state’s accountability model were available; or EDUCATOR PREPARATION CHAPTER 0520-02-04 (d) Out-of-state providers that hold approval in a state other than Tennessee and that meet the following conditions: 1. Identified recruitment and placement goals as a component of the primary partnership and a goal of recommending at least ten (10) candidates for licensure in Tennessee per academic year. If at the point of review for full approval the provider has not met this goal, then the State Board may deny approval; 2. Demonstrated capacity to provide effective mentoring and supervision for all licensure candidates completing clinical experiences in Tennessee public or non- public schools; 3. Established selection criteria that meets or exceeds those minimum expectations established for Tennessee providers; and 4. The ability to clearly identify program candidates and completers as affiliated with Tennessee for all federal reporting requirements. (3) Out-of-state providers that wish to operate in Tennessee without becoming a Tennessee- approved EPP based on approval from a state other than Tennessee shall submit to the Department an out-of-state partnership agreement that includes at least one (1) LEA or CMO in Tennessee. If the partnership agreement meets the requirements of this Rule, these providers may implement a program approved in another state. (4) Out-of-state providers are not eligible to become a Tennessee-approved provider for the preparation of instructional leaders.