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/

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