Standard 20: The unit must provide each candidate with individualized advising, which includes:

(2) counseling a candidate out of the program who is failing to evidence the necessary content and pedagogical knowledge and skills or professional dispositions to be an effective teacher; 

In the UTP Student Handbook, candidates are notified that it is possible they may be counseled out of the program if they don't demonstrate meeting required knowledge, skills or dispositions. If candidates are not meeting necessary content and pedagogical knowledge and skills or professional dispositions they are first given a chance to improve (except in egregious cases that violate University conduct policies) with a Professional Development Plan (PDP) customized to their particular situation and areas for growth. In situations while taking coursework prior to student teaching, the candidate’s advisor or department chair meets with the candidate and may gather information from others (e.g. instructors) about the candidate’s performance to craft a draft PDP that clarifies expectations and outlines a plan with a timeline for growth and improvement. To ensure candidates are treated fairly and consistently, the UED Admissions and Advising Committee reviews and approves the PDP drafted by the candidate’s advisor or the department chair (depending on the issue) after gathering information about the instances of unsatisfactory performance, behavior or dispositional expression. The dean is also informed of the situation and PDP. If the candidate does not demonstrate meeting expectations set forth in the PDP, they are counseled out of the program or not allowed to continue in the program.  In the case of not being allowed to continue, the Dean sends a letter to the candidate.

In situations during clinical field experiences or student teaching, the Director of Field Experiences provides the advising intervention, works with the university supervisor to create a PDP, and ultimately counsels candidates out of the program if satisfactory improvement is not demonstrated related to knowledge, skills or dispositions.