Educator preparation providers (EPPs) have widely used outcome assessments aligned to standards developed by specialized professional associations (SPAs) to monitor progress of candidates and evaluate programs. The purpose is to ensure that candidates can apply content and pedagogical knowledge and provide evidence for CAEP Component 1.3 (Initial Level Programs) or CAEP Component A.1.2 (Advanced Level Programs).

Programs selecting the SPA Program Review with National Recognition may use a maximum of eight key assessments to provide evidence that SPA standards are met. In their entirety, the assessments and data required for submission should demonstrate the candidates have mastered the SPA standards. SPA Program Reports for initial review are due three years prior to the site review. For instance, if an EPP has its site review scheduled in fall 2023 the Initial Review Report will be due by fall 2020. SPA review takes place twice every year—one in spring and once in fall. The deadline for submitting the SPA Program Report in spring is March 15 and the deadline for submitting fall reports is September 15 of every year.

Each SPA has specific guidelines for submitting a successful SPA Program Report. Please refer to their instructions here. Instructions are provided on both Option A and Option B of preparing SPA reports.

How to Plan for the Initial Review Report Submission:

To submit an Initial Review Report a program will request shells (templates used by programs to submit SPA Program Reports) through CAEP’s Accreditation Information Management System (AIMS) using institutional login information. Instructions on how to request shells are provided here.

Shells may be requested as early as one year before the submission due date and no later than five days before the deadline. Although the templates for Initial Review Reports, Revised Reports, and Response to Conditions Reports appear to be similar, programs need to specify during the request that the shells requested are for initial review. The shells are named accordingly for reviewers to know of their nature.

How to Complete the Program Report Template/Form:

  1. Cover Sheet (Must be completed for Initial, Revised, and Response to Conditions reports): Complete the entire section: Numbers 1-16. 
  2. Sections I -V: Must be completed. Follow directions provided on the template for completing each section.
  3. Section IV: Must be completed. Follow the directions provided in Section IV of the template to provide information on the key assessments that are being submitted. The data requirement for an Initial Review Report is a minimum of two cycles of most recent, consecutive application of the assessments used to meet SPA standards.
  4. Section VI: Not required for Initial Review Reports.