The provider demonstrates that the quality of candidates is a continuous and purposeful focus from recruitment through completion. The provider demonstrates that development of candidate quality is the goal of educator preparation and that the EPP provides support services (such as advising, remediation, and mentoring) in all phases of the program so candidates will be successful (CAEP Workbook 2022).
Educational models have undergone various transformations that lead the UPR system to the need to innovate teaching strategies and evaluate admission models to guarantee access to the University for high school students and other non-traditional populations. The Governing Board of the UPR has established through Certification 33-2022-2023 (see.3.1.1 Certification) the new Admission Policy for undergraduate students at the University of Puerto Rico, with the purpose of impacting a variety of undergraduate students under traditional and non-traditional student criteria. The UPR Central Administration established a Recruitment Plan for all the units and UPR Aguadilla has a recruitment committee and its own initiatives (see 3.1.1a, 3.1.1b, 3.1.1c).
However, the EPP recruit through the University of Puerto Rico Aguadilla Admission’s Office, hence, candidates must comply with the minimum admission index (IMIS better known as IGS in Spanish) established for each department (see 3.1.2 IMIS, 3.1.2a, 3.1.2b, 3.1.2c). UPR Aguadilla Academic Senate approves the IMIS which is subject to revision every year. Several initiatives take place from the Admissions office and Academic Affairs Dean, Dean of Student Affairs, Recruitment Committee, and the EPP. Activities such as Open House and Expos provided opportunities for recruiting students from different backgrounds and settings. Prospect candidates are personally informed about admissions, requirements and additional information related to the program of studies, curriculum, job opportunities, and other important data. At the Open Houses each year EPP faculty receive students that are interested in the Bachelor’s degree, transfer programs and certifications in various areas of specialty. Also, visits to several schools from various geographic areas of Puerto Rico, mostly in the northwest area are schedule by the Admission Department in coordination with the Dean of Student Affairs.
Traditional admission refers to admission using the academic index and the placement test provided by the entrance exam, generating the general admission index (IGS). For this admission, 60% of the academic index and 40% of the placement test provided by the entrance exam will be awarded.
Non-traditional admission refers to non-traditional admission methods such as: placement exams, interviews, portfolios, essays, etc. This admission considers a minimum average of 2.00. The entrance exam will be optional and will be used for placement in the general education courses of Spanish, English, and Mathematics.
Certification 33-2022-2023 (see 3.1.1 Certification & 3.1.3 Guideline) is a strategy of the Governing Board that was implemented as a Pilot Project and will be evaluated in two years from its implementation. For the 2023-2024 academic year, the Department of Education received a non-traditional admission application for the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education.
In addition to the Admission Policy, the 2019-2024 strategic plan of UPR Aguadilla (see 3.1.4 Strategic Plan) establishes Goal 1: Optimize the performance, retention, and success of our students. To achieve this goal, the University established several objectives, among which are:
Objective 1.1: Strengthen recruitment and retention strategies to attract the best students from the northwest region.
Objective 1.2: Promote UPR in Aguadilla as a competitive learning option for foreign students and the Puerto Rican diaspora.
Based on the Strategic Plan (see 3.1.4 Strategic Plan), the chancellor of UPR Aguadilla established the Institutional Recruitment Committee with the purpose of reviewing and outlining recruitment efforts with effective strategies to attract students to our institution. Our Strategic Plan is aligned with the Strategic Plan 2023-2028 UPR System (see 3.1.4a Strategic Plan 2023-2028 UPR System).
The committee is made up of a professor from each academic department, admissions officer, recruiting officer, administrative staff, and the Dean of Students. The committee identified high schools in the northwest region to coordinate orientation visits to academic programs and to participate in College Days. As a promotion strategy, the committee coordinated the University Open House on September 7, 2023. Approximately 900 students from public and private schools were received. These students visited academic departments including the Department of Education. All these initiatives and activities are in accordance with the (see 3.1.5 and 3.1.5a, 3.1.5b list of attendance and list of visited schools).
The Department of Education coordinated with the Communications and Marketing Office which shared several PPM promotions through social networks. (see 3.1.6 EPP Promotions, 3.1.6a and 3.1.6b Brochures, 3.1.6c News Publish in FIESTA XI)
UPRAg obtained authorization from the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) to promote the new online Bachelor of Arts in Education with a concentration in English K-12 with Multimedia Technology in the United States (see 3.1.7 Authorization letter from SARA).
The student association of the Department of Education, the University Association of Future Educators (AUFE), together with its advisor, who is a professor in the Department of Education, also carried out activities to promote the programs, student motivation and retention activities, and professional and training workshops (see 3.1.8 AUFE presentation).
Data from 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 shows all admitted student’s information disaggregated by sex, school, and program. Two Cycles of data include 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 of those students that confirmed their admission (see 3.2.1 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 confirmation enrollment data). All admitted students are Hispanics.
UPR Aguadilla EPP uses the student academic abilities as the main indicator for entering the program. Each semester during the counseling period, students met with the director who monitors its progress by analyzing grades, courses and personal interests. As a Steps for Follow Up Candidates in Academic Disadvantage (see 3.3.1 Steps for Follow up Candidates in Academic Disadvantage) are in place to ensure candidates keep up with the program. EPP monitors candidates progress at multiple points (see 2.2.1 Transition points). Candidates dispositions are assessing with the clinical experience’s instruments like the Formative Evaluation Instrument (Assessment 4.1 and Assessment 4.2), the Teacher Work Sample (Assessment 5) the Field Experiences Instrument and the Special Academic Project (Assessment 6).