Formal Review

Sponsoring organizations with currently approved educator preparation programs nearing the end of their approval window that would like to continue operating programs are required to undergo a Formal Review. A periodic Formal Review ensures educator preparation programs' continued growth and effectiveness beyond their initial approval. Sponsoring organizations undergoing Formal Review are grouped by cohort in accordance with their review cycle.

DESE's goal is to implement a Formal Review process that is effective, efficient, consistent, and equity-driven.

Formal Review Process Timeline

Launch

The purpose of the Launch stage is to familiarize sponsoring organizations (SOs) with the overarching review process and prepare SOs for the Initial Inquiry stage. During the Launch stage, DESE will seek a general understanding of the SO's program information and any specific context needed to prepare for stakeholder engagement. Several deliverables will be requested to gather this information. This stage is also when the SO determines which programs it will propose to move forward for review.

• Formal Review Template Timeline — revised November 2024 to clarify due dates

• Launch Worksheet

• Program Overview

• Template Cover Sheet for Candidate Artifacts

• Personnel List

• PST/PSI and SMK Matrices for New Programs

Initial Inquiry

The purpose of the Initial Inquiry stage is to collect data through engagement with stakeholders to determine where there may be gaps or inconsistencies or particular areas of strength that would lead DESE to ask further questions in the Follow-Up Inquiry.

Follow-Up Inquiry

The Follow-Up Inquiry gives sponsoring organizations (SOs) an opportunity to provide written responses and/or additional documentation to address gaps or inconsistencies and elevate strengths that were identified based on a review of evidence collected during the Initial Inquiry stage.

• High Quality Evidence of Impact Advisory

• Targeted Submission Worksheets (Question Banks)
  • Instruction Domain
    • Instruction Worksheet — Administrator
    • Instruction Worksheet — Initial Teacher
    • Instruction Worksheet — Professional Support Personnel
    • Instruction Worksheet — Professional Teacher
    • Instruction Worksheet — Specialist
  • Organization Domain
  • Continuous Improvement Domain
  • Candidate Domain
  • Partnerships Domain
  • Field-Based Experiences Domain

Determination

During the Determination stage, DESE works with the review team to calibrate ratings and rationales, draft the report, vet the report for consistency, and share a Factual Accuracy draft with the sponsoring organization (SO). Once the report is updated, the Commissioner's Office determines approval status.

Last Updated: April 8, 2025