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Educator Dispositions

CAEP, the UofM College of Education’s accreditor requires education programs to address and assess candidates’ dispositions throughout their coursework and during field experiences. Dispositions are the attitudes, values, and behaviors that shape how educators interact with students, colleagues, and families in their work guiding P-12 student learning and development. The Educator Dispositions Assessment (EDA) was created by the University of Tampa and validated with over 700 hours of work. It is a reliable instrument. It is housed in Student Learning and Licensure (SLL) which also houses assessment and field placement information for UofM Candidates. 

UofM instructors and clinical supervisors as well as mentor teachers assess the UofM Candidate with whom they work using the EDA. The EDA has performance descriptors for each of the 9 rows.  All UofM faculty and mentor teachers complete training on how to complete the EDA to ensure that the scoring is calibrated. The training video assists with understanding the expectations and nuances of the rubric. The form can be accessed for completion in SLL. The form with 4 indicators is used with candidates in early field experiences. The form with 9 indicators is used during the residency year or clinical teaching semester and completed by course instructors as a key assessment across EPP programs.

The EDA is utilized to identify disposition issues that may arise with candidates within courses and in-the-field. To ensure that the EDA is utilized fairly and candidates receive due process, the Office of Teacher Education & Clinical Practice (OTECP) has identified a Disposition Concerns Process.  This process can be utilized with all initial licensure candidates (undergraduate and MAT).

OTECP Disposition Concerns Process: 

  • The EDA and Disposition Concerns Process will be introduced to all teacher candidates upon being admitted to TEP.
  • The EDA and Disposition Concerns Process will be discussed with teacher candidates in every education course taken and all orientations.
  • Course Instructors, Clinical Supervisors, or Mentor Teachers can complete the EDA if candidates exhibit dispositional concerns.
  • One completed EDA is a warning. The candidate and person who completed the EDA meet to discuss the concerns.
  • The completed warning EDA will be submitted to the OTECP and filed.  
  • If two EDAs are completed on a teacher candidate, the teacher candidate must meet with the EDA Committee.
  • The committee for candidates who receive two EDAs will consist of the Director of Teacher Education, program coordinators, faculty, and other administrators as needed.
  • The committee will be convened by the Director of Teacher Education.
  • The candidate and all EDA committee members will receive a copy of the meeting notes after the meeting is completed.
  • Once the teacher candidate meets with the committee, a formal decision letter will be sent to the candidate.
  • Candidates will be informed that they can appeal the committee decision with the Office of the Dean.
  • The representative of the Dean’s Office will receive the decision letter as well as the notes taken at the EDA committee meeting.
  • The candidate will have 2 weeks to appeal the committee’s decision with the Office of the Dean. A meeting will be scheduled with the candidate if requested by them.  

Tennessee Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics of the Education Profession indicates the aspiration of all educators and provides standards by which to judge conduct. The Tennessee Code of Ethics provides guidelines for professional conduct as it relates to a teacher's obligation to students, and to the Education professional. View the Tennessee Code of Ethics here>

EDA Concerns Process

Please use the following link to submit a disposition concern regarding a teacher candidate. Once the concern is submitted, the Director of Teacher Education will follow-up with you.

EDA Concerns Process Link >

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