Title 132 W. Va. C.S.R.

Vo-Tech Occupational Education Vo-Tech Occupational Education

Series 01 Certificate Definitions

W. Va. Code R. § 132-1-1 General

1.1. Scope. -- The Jurisdiction Committee of the Joint Commission is fulfilling a requirement set forth by the Legislature to develop a consistent plan for certificate programs.

1.2. Authority. -- W. Va. Code '18-2B-2(b).

1.3. Filing Date. -- September 7, 1995.

1.4. Effective Date -- October 9, 1995.

W. Va. Code R. § 132-1-2 Collegiate Certificate Program

2.1. An educational certificate program offered by institutions of higher education containing specific academic requirements and technical competencies appropriate to meet current workplace objectives. Programs will consist of no less than 32 college credit hours, which may be the first year of an associate degree program.

W. Va. Code R. § 132-1-3 Technical Certificate Program

3.1. An adult full time vocational-technical education program offered by local boards of education which contain specific academic requirements and technical competencies appropriate to meet current workplace objectives. Some or all of the technical certificate programs may be considered for articulation with community college programs leading to a two-year associate degree.

W. Va. Code R. § 132-1-4 Occupational Certificate Program

4.1. A full time vocational education program offered by local boards of education leading to a certificate of competence. Occupational certificate programs are freestanding and designed to meet current workplace objectives and/or employment opportunities. Programs are available for both adult and secondary students.

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Series 02 Program Approval Process

W. Va. Code R. § 132-2-1 General

1.1. Scope. -- As submitted in its First Annual Report to the Legislature, December 1, 1989, the Joint Commission=s goal is to standardize and streamline the current review and approval processes for vocational-technical-occupational programs as much as possible.

1.2. Authority. -- W. Va. Code '18-2B-2(b).

1.3. Filing Date -- December 4, 1995.

1.4. Effective Date -- January 3, 1996.

W. Va. Code R. § 132-2-2 Standard Length Courses

2.1. A proposal for a new adult occupational or adult technical preparatory certificate program as defined in 18B-3A-1b of the West Virginia Code will be developed at a comprehensive high school, vocational-technical center or community and technical college.

2.2. The proposal is submitted to the District Consortia Committee for review and endorsement. Discussion of the proposal's merits should include regional needs, consistency with the schools= mission, the efficient use of available resources and articulation agreements. 2.2.1 If the proposal is endorsed at the regional level, it is forwarded along with a completed program approval review form to the appropriate state board via the Assistant State Superintendent for Technical and Adult Education or the Vice Chancellor for Community and Technical College Education. 2.2.2 If the proposal is NOT endorsed at the regional level, it may still be submitted along with the program approval review form to the next level at the discretion of the proposing institution.

2.3. Staff members of the appropriate board will review the proposal using criteria of that board and approved by the Joint Commission.

If reaction is favorable, there will then be a meeting between staff members of the Board of Education and the Board of Directors/ Board of Trustees to jointly review the proposal.

2.4. The program proposal will then be submitted to the appropriate Board(s) for approval. At the present time state code requires college programs to be approved by both the Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors.

2.5. Following the Board(s) approval, the program proposal will be submitted to the Joint Commission for final approval. It is expected that wherever possible, concurrent review paths will be utilized.

W. Va. Code R. § 132-2-3 Short-Term Courses

3.1. A variety of programs which are short-term in nature are offered by both the board of education system and the community college system. These include part time adult occupational and technical programs, continuing education and contracted instruction for business and industry.

3.2. In order to be responsible to the needs of business and industry, the education systems must be able to develop and implement programs and courses on very short notice. It is the commission's intention to adopt a set of criteria for short-term programs and rely heavily on staff review and documentation of compliance.

3.3. The staff work is to be submitted to a three-member committee of the Joint Commission for immediate approval. Such approval may of necessity be retroactive in some instances. In this regard, the Joint Commission urges frequent communications at the regional level between the board of education and community college systems to make the most efficient use of both facilities and staff. '132-2- 4. Joint Commission Review Criteria.

4.1. The program proposed meets the needs of the local region, fits into the overall State Plan and is not unnecessarily duplicative.

4.2. The program is accessible as possible to all, including handicapped and disadvantaged individuals.

4.3. The program is designed to facilitate academic progression from one level to another, recognizing that an educational continuum is a necessity in an ever-changing world.

4.4. Consideration of the extent to which articulation agreements facilitate the maximum use of resources.

4.5. Consideration of the involvement of local employers and labor organizations and utilization of such groups as the regional Partnerships for Progress Councils and others.

W. Va. Code R. § 132-2-5 Program Approval Review

NOTE: SEE TABLE 1

TABLE 1

W. Va. Code R. § 132-2-5 Program Approval Review

Submitting Agency Administrator Program Title DCC Administrator Date Y N 1. The proposed program was discussed by the District Consortium Committee (DCC), based on the criteria in the West Virginia Joint Commission for Vocational-Technical-Occupational Education Policy 132.2. 2.

Y N 2. The DCC endorses the program.

Y N 3. The DCC certifies that:

a. It meets the needs of the local region, fits into the overall State Plan and is not unnecessarily duplicative.

b. It is as accessible as possible to all, including handicapped and disadvantaged individuals.

c. It is designed to facilitate academic progression from one level to another.

d. Articulation agreements facilitate the maximum use of resources.

e. There is documented involvement of the appropriate local employers, labor organizations and economic development groups.

Y N 4. The DCC DOES NOT endorse the proposed program.

Y N 5. The submitting agency requests state level review.

COMMENTS:

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