Position Overview 

The Coordinator for Continuous Improvement will provide strategic leadership, project management, and oversight for all teacher licensure program continuous improvement reports and proposals for University of Minnesota approved in CEHD, CFANS and CLA for continuing program review as required in Minnesota unit rule 8705.1000. The coordinator specifically engages with faculty to organize teacher education curricular and assessment initiatives underway, map standards, analyze data, inform goal setting, track redesigned program components, co-write narrative reports, assist with advisory board meetings, submit program renewal proposals (PERCA) to PELSB, and prepare new program proposals (RIPAs). The coordinator also organizes initiatives with faculty and staff working to meet the unit-wide or departmental continuous improvement goals established by faculty and the Deanâ™s office, and in alignment with state statutes and rules for teacher preparation in Minnesota. The coordinatorâ™s work to lead continuous improvement research and program evaluation is informed by scholarship and guidance as well as the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) state rules regarding program approval. The coordinator reports to the Executive Director of the Office of Teacher Education. 

This position is based on campus. Per UMN policy, work may be done remotely when appropriate and approved by your manager. 

Job Responsibilities 

Management of Teacher Licensure Program Continuous Improvement & State Approval Processes (60%)

• Develop strategic long-range accreditation and new/revised program development plans that align with college/university missions and goals and state standards for teacher education. 
• Convene, facilitate and document annual data sharing sessions for and with licensure program faculty for the purpose of reviewing/revising continuous improvement goals. 
• Manage long and short-term plans of action across the licensure unit of the ongoing 
  college-department-program collaborations to improve teacher licensure programs, as required for the self-study for Minnesotaâ™s Standard of Effective Practice and each program's specific standards, as noted in parts 8710.2000 to 8710.8080. 
• Serve as OTE's liaison with PELSB staff regarding program reporting requirements and program changes. 
• Advocate for University positions and priorities addressing rule-making and accreditation process changes at PELSB. Monitor and communicate PELSB changes impacting accreditation requirements to teacher education faculty, OTE staff, instructors, chairs, and directors by annually tracking rule-making proposed changes and legislative activity.
• Organize OTEâ™s submission of required âœProgram Effectiveness Report for Continuing Approval❠(PERCA) documentation for program re-accreditation every three years to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB). 
• Facilitate annual consultation with faculty, document collection, data report creation, and submission of new or heavily revised licensure program âœRequest for Initial Program Approval❠(RIPA) proposals and syllabi through external and internal approval processes. 
• Contribute to the Unit Report on Continuous Improvement (URCI) and Unit Self-study (alternating, every 3 years), and work with the OTEâ™s Executive Director to coordinate the completion of these reports on time for external review. 
• Prepare program-specific evidence for use in the Unit self-study report and URCI reports. 
• Finalize preparations and coordinate the accreditation site visit in collaboration with the Executive Director and Project Specialists in OTE. 
• Manage the discretionary variance process with PELSB staff in consultation with OTEâ™s Executive Director. 

Unit Continuous Improvement Project Management, Facilitation and Reporting (30%)

• Engage teacher licensure faculty and instructors in professional learning, continuous improvement goal development, evidence collection, data sharing conversations with school partners, and documentation of the ongoing college-department-program collaborations to continuously improve teacher licensure programs as required in Minnesota Administrative Rules 8705.1010. 
• With input from program faculty and leaders, maintain, annually update and implement the Unit-Wide Continuous Improvement Plan and identify support needed by faculty and candidates to meet continuous improvement goals. 
• Manage unit-led redesign projects, facilitate conversations, coordinate meetings, lead program evaluation initiatives to solve concerns identified by teacher education faculty, CEHD administration and OTE staff.
• Lead or engage expertise to support improvements to the curriculum and assessments (e.g., revising current assessments, convening task forces to make recommendations on behalf of faculty and the associate dean) ● Annually update the narrative in OTE's State of Teacher Education report with OTE's Accountability Analyst. ● Chair/Co-chair appropriate committees and task forces as needed, including working with OTE colleagues to prepare data reports for unit-wide discussion and strategic planning. 

Continuous Improvement Research/Program Evaluation (10%)

• Initiate unit and program level continuous improvement conversations.
• Serve on the Teacher Preparation Advisory Group. 
• Sets direction with OTEâ™s Executive Director on development of common and specialized reporting for internal and external program review. 
• Works with OTEâ™s Accountability Analyst, program faculty, graduate students, and OTE colleagues to improve and align assessment tools. 

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS with at least 6 years of experience; may lead a small homogeneous department or a larger process-oriented area whose members perform like activities.
• Demonstrated skill in quantitative and qualitative analyses. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Strong interpersonal and team-building skills. 
• Experience with state, regional or national accreditation processes. 
• Deep knowledge of academic culture. 
• Ability to work flexibly and successfully within a changing contexts. 
• Evidence of strong facilitation skills and/or related experience with leading groups. 
• Ability to collaborate effectively with people from a variety of communities, backgrounds, and identities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters, Ed.D. or Ph.D. in Education or related field. 
• Experience as an accreditation coordinator. 
• Pre-12 teaching license (does not need to be current) 
• Experience working with the Minnesota Department of Education.  
• Experience working with MDE or PELSB personnel. 
• At least 3 years of experience working with a diverse student body in a university environment. 

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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