Specifications include, but are not limited to: Phase I - Set-up (Sept. 2022 – Dec. 2022); • In coordination with the NHED, assemble a panel of experts who will provide input about the process and who are familiar with: o structured literacy and the science behind how students learn to read; o NH Chapter Ed 600 (612's) Approval of Professional Preparation Programs; o NH Chapter Ed 500, Credential Standards for Educational Personnel in Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education K-6; Elementary Education K-8; Reading and Writing Teacher; Reading and Writing Specialist; Special Education (age 5 – 21); and Specific Learning Disabilities; o other states’ and nations’ standards, statutes, or regulations related to literacy/reading instruction.; • Meet with the panel of experts at least once per month during Phase 1 for status updates and input.; • Provide external review of course offerings in New Hampshire’s twelve (12) EPPs to ensure that they are aligned with NH Chapter Ed 600, Chapter Ed 500, and evidence-based practices for teaching structured literacy.; • Request and receive course content materials (i.e., all versions of syllabi, course schedules for each syllabus, access to assignments, descriptions of field work, quizzes, and exams) and textbooks from NH IHEs.; Phase II – Content Review & Pre-Service Virtual and/or In-Person Interviews (January 2023 – May 2023); • Review the following for alignment to state program standards and quality instruction for structured literacy: o Syllabi and course schedules for specificity of learning objectives and level of instructional modeling and practice; o Assignments, including supplemental readings; o Nature of field experiences and extent to which candidates have opportunities to apply knowledge to practice; o Quizzes, interim exams and the final exam for each course; o Virtual and/or pre-recorded pre-service instruction; o Specific textbook assigned readings across all programs.; • Review a sampling of, and compare across EPPs, student NHTCAP projects as “demonstrations of evidence” toward meeting competencies in the relevant endorsement areas at the beginning educator level.; • Interview program-related faculty as needed.; • Cull best practices from EPPs based on research and body of work to date.; • Meet with the panel of experts at agreed upon intervals for status updates and input.; • Provide status report to NHED designee(s).; Phase III – Pre-service and Graduate Observations & Focus Groups (April 2023 – December 2023); • Conduct two focus groups of candidates per institution; Note: Focus group participants will be selected and contacted by the respective deans.; • Conduct in-person or virtual focus groups (1 per institution) of recent graduates across all programs (within past three years of graduating).; Note: Focus group participants will be selected from K-8 teachers and contacted by the respective deans.; • Conduct virtual interviews with Field Supervisors (up to 3 per institution) and Mentor Teachers (up to 3 per institution) across program areas.; • Observe pre-service candidates in the field experiences (up to 4 per institution, depending on the size).; • Meet with a panel of experts at agreed upon intervals for status updates and input.; • Provide status report to NHED designee(s).; Phase IV – Deliverables and Debrief (January 2024 – June 2024); • Prepare individual confidential reports for each EPP that describe the program’s overall findings; include commendations for best practices and recommendations for improvement.; • Provide a confidential, individual feedback session to each EPPs, to be shared with individual EPPs and the NHED Bureau of Credentialing.; • Prepare a State Summary Report capturing aggregate data and results from all twelve (12) EPPs that describes overall findings, includes best practice examples and commendations, and makes recommendations for changes to state policy, standards, or institutional practices. The report will be presented to the NH State Board of Education and the NH Commissioner of Education.; • Conduct wrap-up session with the panel of experts.
