Initial PTE Program Approval

Program Renewal and Evaluation

Initial Program Application

Letter of Intent

Initial Self Assessment Tool

Pathway Program of Study

Renewal Assessment Tool

Renewal Data Analysis Worksheet

"Sample" Self Assessment

Oregon Skill Sets

Initial PTE Program Approval

PTE program approval is the process for determining a program’s ability to meet the established program criteria and readiness to provide students with the necessary skills to be successful.  The process is also a vehicle for identifying specific technical assistance needs, as well as validating program quality and effectiveness.

Schools seeking PTE program approval will use a self-assessment tool to determine a program’s readiness for approval.  The PTE Program Self-Assessment Tool (Appendix A) includes the program criteria and a series of quality indicators that further define each criterion and provide useful information for programs regarding program design and quality.

The program self-assessment tool uses a scoring guide that evaluates each criterion on a 1 – 6 scale.  The scoring guide defines a program’s level of readiness for approval. The self-assessment tool will help schools understand and operationalize the program criteria and identify specific technical assistance needs.  Programs that achieve a score of 4 or higher on each criterion will be approved and designated as “standard” for a period of four years.

Standard approved programs are recognized to be of sufficient size, scope and quality, and have the capacity to ensure student success and preparation for next steps.  Approved programs will go through a program renewal and evaluation in the fourth year from the time they gained standard approval.  Student performance will be used to evaluate the program’s quality and effectiveness for program renewal.

Programs that do not yet meet level 4 on each criterion will have the opportunity to gain “developmental” approval status for a maximum period of two years.  Programs must be at level 3 for each criterion on the scoring guide to be considered for developmental approval. Developmental programs MUST meet the standard program approval criteria at the end of the developmental period to be continued as an approved PTE program. A program evaluation for developmental approved programs will be conducted at the end of each academic year to determine progress toward meeting standard program approval criteria.  Technical assistance will be available to help schools determine their specific needs and develop an effective plan for improvement.

Regional PTE Coordinators will assist schools in identifying and developing strategies to help prepare programs for the approval process.  In partnership with Regional PTE Coordinators, local schools and regional partnerships, ODE will assist schools in developing quality PTE programs that meet the needs of students. 

PTE programs that meet or exceed the criteria and have demonstrated success for students may be approved and recognized as model programs.  This designation is intended to recognize excellent programs and best practices that may be appropriate for other schools and programs to replicate.  Such programs are fully operational and excel in a variety of areas that promote student success and completion of the program.

Applying for Initial Program Approval

The program approval application process will include the following steps:

1. Applicant is required to submit a Letter of Intent prior to the application.  The letter of intent is designed to stimulate communication between the program applicant, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and the Regional PTE Coordinator.  This is the first step in applying for program approval.  Program applicants can gain valuable information and assistance from the PTE program specialist with the design and development o f the program.  The PTE Program specialist will also help connect program applicant with regional and local resources that can assist them with the design and development of their programs.
2. Applicant must complete the Secondary PTE Initial Program Approval Application including signed Certificate of Assurance.
3. Applicant must complete and self-score the Initial Program Assessment Tool.
4. Applicant must complete a PTE Program of Study Worksheet.
5. Submit application and supporting material, including Initial Assessment Tool and Program of Study Worksheet, to Bill Manley, Regional Coordinator.
6. The Regional Coordinator will determine the approval status of the program application, notify the applicant of program approval determination, and will forward the program application materials to ODE indicating approval status - standard or developmental.
7. ODE will act accordingly given the determination by the Regional PTE Coordinator.
8. If the program application is incomplete, the application will be returned to the regional coordinator with a letter specifying what information is needed before the application process can move forward.
9. For PTE Program approval application technical assistance, contact Bill Manley (bmanley@pcc.edu)  or Karen Jones (kjones@pcc.edu).

This is a continuous improvement process that is part of the overall school improvement effort, and is designed to promote connections across systems at both the secondary and post secondary levels.  It is important that this process be closely linked to other state and federal initiatives for measuring students and school performance such as the Consolidate District Improvement Plans (CDIP) and No Child Left Behind (NCLB).

The quality assurance process will affect other aspects of Professional Technical Education including programs, courses, standards and proficiencies for students, and PTE Teacher licensure.  As a result, a systematic approach is needed to ensure that PTE is an integral part of the total education system.

Why Seek PTE Initial Program Approval?

PTE program approval is recognition of a quality professional technical education program that meets Oregon PTE program quality criteria.  Quality PTE programs are designed to help students:

• pursue career interests,
• achieve and apply academic knowledge and skills, and
• provide preparation for postsecondary education and careers.

What's Required for PTE Program Approval and Renewal?

Approval is a requirement for a PTE Program to access federal Carl D. Perkins Grant funds.  Federal PTE grant funds can be used to build and improve quality PTE programs.

There are several elements to the approval process and maintaining approval.  The chart below briefly describes what the elements are and when they are used.