Groups identified for Pilot Project � �Learning Curve�

							According to the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), all candidates seeking
accreditation and licensure must meet all professional standards of practice as well as evidence proper dispositions
within their chosen field. NCATE defines dispositions as:

“The values, commitments, and professional ethics that influence behaviors toward students, families, colleagues,
and communities and affect student learning, motivation, and development as well as the educator’s own
professional growth. Dispositions are guided by beliefs and attitudes related to values such as caring, fairness,
honesty, responsibility, and social justice.”


The School of Education and Allied Professions (EAP), through the University Council for Candidate Preparation
for School Licensure (UCCPSL), worked and developed a dispositions process that all EAP licensure candidates
would be held accountable to during their studies at Miami University. As part of that process, a candidate must
demonstrate acceptable professional behavior in four key areas derived directly from the 2003 Code of Ethics for the
Association of American Educators:

    1.   Professional conduct toward students;
    2.   Professional practice;
    3.   Professional conduct toward professional colleagues;
    4.   Professional conduct toward parents and the general community.

If a candidate meets or exceeds these standards of professional behavior, s/he will continue in the chosen field of
study without interruption. If a candidate does not meet these standards, s/he must go through the following
procedures of the EAP Dispositions in the order listed:

             1.   The appropriate program coordinator will be notified by the instructor of a dispositional issue.
                  The instructor does this by filling out Form B.

             2.   The appropriate program coordinator must meet or offer to meet with the candidate. In that
                  meeting, the candidate’s present performance will be reviewed and discussed.

             3.   A corrective action plan designed to address the identified problem(s) will be generated. A
                  corrective plan should identify the problem(s) or concern(s) and contain suggestions to remedy the
                  situation. * (Note that some inappropriate behaviors may be so severe and extreme that they limit
                  the utility and/or provision of any official intervention prior to dismissal from the program).

             4.   Immediate and sustained improvement in the candidate’s performance is expected and must be
                  demonstrated. If progress is not evidenced within a specified time limit, further action by the
                  program area must be taken. This can include failure of the class and/or removal from the
                  program. If removed from the program, the student must be given notice and have an opportunity
                  to be heard by appropriate division personnel.

             5.   When a candidate completes the disposition process and believes that s/he has been judged
                  unfairly (e.g., received an inappropriate grade), then a candidate may file an academic grievance
                  with the chair of the department through the Academic Grievance Procedures located in Appendix
                  L in the Student Handbook.

             6.   If a student seeks to file an academic grievance, the case will be reviewed by the Academic
                  Appeals Board. The decision of this board will be considered final.

    * Dean’s Office (School of Education and Allied Professions) must be notified of any student action plan and a
    copy of the corrective plan will be kept on file in that office. These procedures have been reviewed by
    University Counsel and are consistent with university policy regarding due process.
    Disposition Checklist for Teacher
     and School Personnel Candidates
   Form B: Behavior(s) of Concern

                                                   Disposition Checklist for Teacher
                                                   and School Personnel Candidates
                                                   Form A


Acceptable professional behavior (based on the 2003 Code of Ethics for the Association of
American Educators) includes the following:

1. Professional Conduct Toward Students: Candidates deal with students in the following ways:
   ____ a. a fair and just manner
   ____ b. showing preference toward no individual or any particular group of students
   ____ c. showing respect and value to all; accepting every individual for who they are
   ____ d. showing respect for the cultural and family traditions of the students

2. Professional Practice: Candidates follow expected professional standards of practice including the
   following:
   ____ a. assumes responsibility and accountability for all personal and professional actions
   ____ b. complies with school building/district rules and/or procedures that are not in conflict with
             professional ethics
   ____ c. complies with course and program area policies and expectations in the university setting
             (e.g., classes, interactions with faculty, staff and peers)
   ____ d. does not use institutional or professional privileges for personal gain or advantage
   ____ e. demonstrates appropriate manner including being punctual to work, being prepared for
             class, showing affection/warmth appropriately (e.g., using praise, rewards, or smiles),
             completes work in a timely fashion, models educated language devoid of profanity,
             vulgarity, dresses professionally, etc.
   ____ f. all confidential information remains confidential and is only shared with those directly
             involved with the case at hand
   ____ g. continues to work on, and take advantage of, professional growth opportunities, feedback
             from peers, etc.

3. Professional Conduct Toward Professional Colleagues: Candidates demonstrate proper
   professional respect in the following ways:
   ____ a. equitable treatment of all professional colleagues that he or she has contact with
   ____ b. does not willfully make false statements about a colleague or the school system
   ____ c. respects each colleague’s freedom of choice and expression and does not attempt to violate
             any individual’s professional integrity

4. Professional Conduct Toward Parents and the General Community: Candidates support the
   school system and community by:
   ____ a. making every effort to fully inform parents about their children and to assist families in
             their educational endeavors
   ____ b. making every effort to understand and respect the values and traditions of diverse cultures
             and groups represented in the educational community
   ____ c. maintaining a positive and active role in the educational process and working for the
             betterment of all children
          Send a copy to: Dean’s Office, School of Education & Allied
                    Professions, 207 McGuffey Hall, Oxford, Ohio 45056
Student’s Name:                                                        Date:
Student ID#:                                                           Completed by:
Student Class Status:                                                  Title:
Fresh. ____ Soph. ____ Junior ____            Senior ____              E-mail or Phone:

Program Candidate is enrolled (check as appropriate for majors and pre-majors):

         Adolescent                       Foreign                          Music                            School
          Education                         Language                          Education                         Psychology
         Art Education                     Educ.                            Nursing                          Special
         Curriculum &                     Health                            (School                           Education
          Supervision                       Education                         Nurse)                           Speech
         Early                            Middle                           Physical                          Pathology
          Childhood                         Childhood                         Education                        Superintendency
          Education                         Educ.                            Principalship


If the student displays difficulty with behaviors in any of the professional areas (based on the
2003 Code of Ethics for the Association of American Educators) listed below, s/he needs to be
identified and receive institutional/program intervention. Please check the area(s) of difficulty.
1.   Professional Conduct Toward Students: Candidates do not deal with students in the following ways:
     ____ a. a fair and just manner
     ____ b. showing preference toward no individual or any particular group of students
     ____ c. showing respect and value to all; accepting every individual for who they are
     ____ d. showing respect for the cultural and family traditions of the students

2.   Professional Practice: Candidates do not follow expected professional standards of practice including the following:
     ____ a. assumes responsibility and accountability for all personal and professional actions
     ____ b. complies with school building/district rules and/or procedures that are not in conflict with professional ethics
     ____ c. complies with course and program area policies and expectations in the university setting (e.g., classes,
                 interactions with faculty, staff, and peers).
     ____ d. does not use institutional or professional privileges for personal gain or advantage
     ____ e. demonstrates appropriate manner including being punctual to work, being prepared for class, showing
                 affection/warmth appropriately (e.g., using praise, rewards, or smiles); completing work in a timely fashion;
                 modeling educated language devoid of profanity, vulgarity; dressing professionally, etc.
     ____ f. all confidential information remains confidential and is only shared with those directly involved with the case at
                 hand
     ____ g. continues to work on, and take advantage of, professional growth opportunities, feedback from peers, etc.

3.   Professional Conduct Toward Professional Colleagues: Candidates do not demonstrate proper professional respect in the
     following ways:
     ____ a. equitable treatment of all professional colleagues that s/he has contact with
     ____ b. does not willfully make false statements about a colleague or the school system
     ____ c. respects each colleague’s freedom of choice and expression and does not attempt to violate
             any individual’s professional integrity

4.    Professional Conduct Toward Parents and the General Community : Candidates do not show support of the
      school system and community by failing to do the following:
     ____ a. making every effort to fully inform parents about their children and to assist families in their educational
                 endeavors
     ____ b. making every effort to understand and respect the values and traditions of diverse cultures and groups
                 represented in the educational community
     ____ c. maintaining a positive and active role in the educational process and working for the betterment of all children
    Provide explanation(s) and example(s) for each area of concern that is not being met. Be sure to
    identify the letter from the first page that is being addressed
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    Student Signature:______________________________________________________________________
    Program Coordinator Signature:___________________________________________________________
    Other University Personnel Signature:______________________________________________________