281—79.13(256) Assessment system and unit evaluation standard. The unit’s system of assessment will appropriately monitor individual candidate performance and use that data in concert with other information to evaluate and improve the unit and its programs in accordance with the following provisions.
	79.13(1) The unit has a clearly defined, cohesive system of assessment that includes both individual candidate assessment and comprehensive unit assessment.
	79.13(2) The assessment system is based on unit standards.
	79.13(3) The unit tracks and communicates the following criteria for candidates:
	a. 	Entrance into the program.
	b. 	Continuation in the program with clearly defined checkpoints/gates.
	c. 	Admission to clinical experiences (for teacher education, this includes specific criteria for admission to student teaching).
	d. 	Program completion.
	79.13(4) Individual candidate assessment includes all of the following:
	a. 	Measures used for candidate assessment are fair, reliable and valid.
	b. 	Candidates are assessed on their demonstration/attainment of unit standards.
	c. 	Multiple measures are used for assessment of the candidate on each unit standard.
	d. 	Candidates are assessed on unit standards at different developmental stages.
	e. 	Candidates are provided with formative feedback and opportunities to utilize the feedback to reflect upon and guide their development and growth toward attainment of unit standards.
	79.13(5) The unit will document regular reviews, evaluation and revision to the system of assessment.
	a. 	The collection, aggregation, analysis and evaluation of assessment data described in this subrule will take place on a regular cycle.
	b. 	Comprehensive unit assessment includes all of the following:
	(1)	Individual candidate assessment data on unit standards, as described in subrule 79.13(4), are analyzed.
	(2)	The aggregated assessment data are analyzed to evaluate programs.
	(3)	Findings from the evaluation of aggregated assessment data are shared with stakeholders and utilized for program improvement decisions.
	79.13(6) The unit shall conduct a survey of graduates and the graduates’ employers to ensure that the graduates are well prepared and use the data for program improvement.
	79.13(7) For teacher intern preparation programs, candidate assessment includes clear criteria for the following:
	a. 	Acceptance requirements, including:
	(1)	Completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution that meets program-established required grade point criteria for the baccalaureate degree and content area;
	(2)	Completion of coursework that meets the state minimum requirements for at least one of the BOEE’s secondary endorsement areas, unless the endorsement area requirements are embedded in the teacher intern professional core; and
	(3)	Screening designed to generate information about the prospective candidate’s attributes identified as essential for candidates in the program.
	b. 	Continuation in the program with clearly defined checkpoints/gates, including verification of an offer of employment as an intern from a school or district administrator.
	c. 	Program completion and subsequent recommendation by the authorized official of the program for an initial teaching license, including recommendation for an intern license for one or more of the endorsements identified on the department’s teacher preparation website at educate.iowa.gov/pk-12/educator-quality/practitioner-preparation.
[ARC 8050C, IAB 6/12/24, effective 7/17/24]