584-400-0080 Unit or Program Modifications (1) Modifications: The Commission must approve modifications to an approved unit or state recognized licensure, endorsement or specialization program. All modifications must comply with Chapter 584, Division 400, 410 and 420 and applicable Oregon statutory provisions. (2) Major modifications: A major modification is a change that substantively alters the program or Unit as currently recognized or approved by the Commission. (3) To request approval of a major modification to the program or Unit, EPPs must complete the program major modification process, as provided in the Program Review and Standards Handbook. (4) If the EPP is uncertain if a change to a program should be submitted to the Commission through the major modification process, the EPP may request clarification from the Executive Director or designee. The Executive Director or designee must provide an official response to the EPP that determines whether the change is a new program, a major modification or a minor modification. The official response must be provided to the EPP within one month of receiving the request for clarification. (5) Major modifications include, but are not limited to: (a) Substantive changes to the Unit, including: (A) The core mission and goals; (B) The legal status, form of control, or ownership; (C) The administration, if the change is a result of the Unit head's termination by the institution; (D) Offerings of academic programs for credit through contractual relationships with external organizations; and (E) Structure or content that results in the EPP no longer meeting Oregon statutes or administrative rules. (b) Substantive changes to Programs, including: (A) The degree level of the program; (B) The core curriculum of the program, as defined in the Program Review and Standards Handbook; (C) The core clinical practices requirements, as defined in the Program Review and Standards Handbook; (D) Additions of single-subject endorsement areas within a state-recognized Preliminary Teaching License program. NOTE: Single-subjects endorsements are defined in 584-400-0020, Definitions. NOTE: An elimination of a program is not considered a major modification; instead it is subject to the provisions of 584-400-0090, Elimination of Programs. (6) Minor Modification: A minor modification is a change that affects, but does not substantively alter, the program or Unit, as currently recognized or approved by the Commission. (7) To request approval of a minor modification to a program or Unit, the EPP must include minor modifications in the annual report for the academic year in which the change became effective (September 1 – August 31). (a) Upon acceptance and approval of the annual report by the Commission, the minor modification will be considered included in the state-recognized program or approved Unit. (b) The effective date of the approved minor modifications is the effective date noted with the minor modification in the annual report. (c) In absence of a specific effective date in the annual report, the effective date of the approved minor modification will be the date of submission of the annual report to the Commission. (8) Minor modifications include, but are not limited to: (a) Additions or elimination of courses, if the change does not substantively alter the core curriculum of the program; (b) Changes to clinical practices, if the change does not substantively alter the core clinical practices structure; and (c) Changes to delivery of programs, if the change in delivery does not alter the core curriculum of the program. NOTE: Course substitutions are not considered major or minor modifications and are not required to be reported to the Commission . (9) Failure to report required modifications: Upon evidence that an EPP has failed to report a modification to their state-recognized educator preparation program or state-approved Unit to the Commission, the Commission may require the EPP to r eport on the unit or programs in order to determine if a modification has occurred. (10) If the Commission determines a program or Unit experienced a modification that was not properly reported, the Commission may require the EPP to undergo a review of the Unit or program to determine if any further action is required. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 342 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 342.120 - 342.430, 342.455 - 342.495 & 342.533 History: TSPC 2-2018, adopt filed 04/17/2018, effective 04/17/2018