9:51 p.m.
Dear Colleagues,
I want to thank everyone for their response to the dynamic instructional contingency
plans. Just to bring you up to date, the following is the current situation:
1. Spring break has been extended through next week.
2. This includes all online/face to face, and off campus cohort classes.
3. Next week will be used to transition faculty courses to online formats with the help
of Academic Innovations and our in house IT support staff.
4. Webinars are taking place to provide faculty with guidance on the transition.
5. To this end, the college has identified a college point of contact, Marisol Johnson,
and faculty champions in each department ( Department Chairs have communicated this to
the. identified faculty).
6. Central and college level support will be provided during the transition and after
to ensure effective instructional delivery and as little interruption to students as
possible.
7. Upon return from spring break on March 23, all courses will be delivered using
online format.
8. At this point, other services remain in operation such as advising and the COEHD
computer labs.
As a college we have submitted instructional and operational contingency plans and have a
centralized communications plan. Departments have updated phone trees and will make use of
those if necessary.
As you transition to online courses, please keep the following in mind:
Minimum Instructional Standards
* Provide assignments and materials to students to facilitate their success if
contingency plans are implemented.
* Schedule regular office hours and hours by appointment using an accessible platform
(phone, skype, google hangout, etc.).
* Respond to student inquiries within 24 hours (or on the first day following a
weekend or holiday).
* If possible, hold class virtually using Blackboard or other appropriate technology
during the scheduled class time.
* Take an active role in course facilitation including: (if using BB) providing
resources, discussion topics, and assignments that meet the course objectives ( if you
must modify assignments from those you would have provided in a f2f setting), logging in
to class at a minimum of three times a week, responding to students and facilitating
discussion and learning, monitoring the discussion and redirecting/refocusing when and if
necessary, facilitating meaningful student interactions, etc. We will post resources for
faculty regarding creating an online presence and ensuring student engagement.
* Establish clear expectations for students if the contingency plan is implemented.
* Establish flexible completion opportunities based on specific circumstances.
* Develop grading policies and course contingency plans with acceptable modifications
that take into account ensuring critical objectives are met but building in flexibility
due to the circumstances.
Probably the greatest questions revolve around field work and clinical teaching. The
following is the current COEHD policy:
Clinical and Field Experiences
UTSA COEHD students engaged in required field experience and clinical practice for state
certification and/or licensure will follow the policies of the school district or
organization in which they are completing their placement. While the district remains
open, candidates will continue to attend their regularly scheduled placements. Clinical
supervisors will continue their POP cycle observations during this time.
In the event that UTSA moves face to face classes to online classes, all classes will take
place online regardless of location of delivery ( for example, an off campus cohort). If
the district closes temporarily, teacher candidates will resume their placements when the
site re-opens. They will continue until their required hours/days are fulfilled for
licensure requirements. This may include work after the Spring 2020 term officially ends
at UTSA. In this event, candidates will receive a grade of incomplete which will be
changed upon their completion of the required clinical hours. Supervisors will perform
the required remaining observation cycles upon the re-opening of the clinical site.
If state required hours are completed in field/ internship experience courses ( not
clinical teaching) the college will accept that as having met requirements for the field
component of the course as the UTSA COEHD requirements often exceed state mandated
requirements for field / internship experiences.
For a larger disruption to clinical teaching, in the event of a state of disaster, TEA
Chapter 228.1.(d) states the following ( Dr. Flores will be providing. additional guidance
from TEA to clinical teachers/faculty/ISD partners as required) :
.(d) If the governor declares a state of disaster consistent with the Texas Government
Code, §418.014, Texas Education Agency staff may extend deadlines in this chapter for up
to 90 days and decrease clinical teaching, internship, and practicum assignment minimums
by up to 20 percent as necessary to accommodate persons in the affected disaster areas.
For more information and FAQs please see the university guidance and updates:
https://www.utsa.edu/coronavirus/<https://nam03.safelinks.protection.o...
As a college we will follow the guidelines provided that include practicing social
distancing and hand and surface washing, as well as other simple, everyday practices that
can protect people from respiratory viruses.
Again, I thank you for your responsiveness to the evolving situation.
~Margo
Margo DelliCarpini, Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Strategic Educational Partnerships and Dean of the College of Education
and Human Development
President's Distinguished Professor
The University of Texas at San Antonio
One UTSA Circle
San Antonio, TX 78249
T: 210.458.4370
F: 210.458.4487