Focused Development Plan

For the duration of a candidate’s enrollment in an approved educator licensure program, the performance of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign educator candidate will be assessed according to the evaluation criteria of their respective programs of study. At any point at which the supervisor, program liaison or designee, cooperating teacher, course instructors and/or relevant others determine that the educator candidate is not making adequate progress related to program/licensure requirements and after initial conversations, interventions, and supports have been implemented, the following procedure will be followed for remediation.

Creating a Focused Development Plan:  Developing Strategies and Timelines for the Successful Remediation of the Identified Concern and/or Behavior

1. The supervisor, program liaison or designee, course instructors, and/or relevant others will determine if a Focused Development Plan (FDP) is warranted.
2. If it is determined that a FDP is warranted, in consultation with Council on Teacher Education staff, relevant individuals (including the teacher candidate) will develop a FDP including strategies and timeline for the successful remediation of the specific concern/s.
3. After meeting with the educator candidate, the team will provide a copy of this plan to

• The educator candidate
• The cooperating teacher (as applicable)
• The Council on Teacher Education (specifically the primary licensure officer)

If the initial concern or behavior is not able to be remediated, regular program policies and governances will apply and, when applicable, referral will be made to the appropriate campus entity. Some behaviors may require immediate termination from the teacher education program*.

The Focused Development Plan Should Include the Following:

• Observable and measurable behaviors and performance expectations for successful remediation of the concern and/or behavior
• The strengths and/or assets that the teacher candidate brings to the successful resolution of the issue
• Timeline for successfully addressing the concern/behavior
• Potential consequences of not implementing identified strategies, expectations, and/or not meeting identified timelines
• Signatures required on the FDP:
  • educator candidate
  • any relevant individuals participating in the creation and evaluation of the successful implementation of the proposed FDP

   

Resolution of the Issue/Concern:

• Successful completion/implementation of the elements of the Focused Development Plan will result in the successful resolution of the issue.
• The program coordinator will notify the Council on Teacher Education via email that the issue has been successfully resolved.

Non-Resolution of the Issue/Concern:

• The consequences outlined on the Focused Development Plan will be implemented.
• The program coordinator will notify the Council on Teacher Education via email that the issue has not been successfully resolved.

The educator candidate’s signature indicates that the FDP has been communicated with the educator candidate. The expectations and outcomes of the FDP remain valid even if the educator candidate does not sign the FDP.

Continuation in the educator licensure program may be contingent upon the successful implementation of the FDP.

Educator licensure candidates may refer to the Grievance Policy and Procedures for Student Teachers Enrolled in Certification Programs. 

*Egregious concerns or behaviors that may not be able to be remediated through this process may include, but are not limited to, the following: cheating; plagiarism; sexual offenses; substance abuse; not being present for the last week of classes or for the last week of student teaching; altercations with students, cooperating teachers, supervisors, or faculty members; violating confidentiality of pre-K -12 students and/or staff. In these situations, a FDP would not be written.