The State Board of Education on June 12 approved the elimination of several education‑preparation (EdPrep) programs at multiple institutions, set corresponding expiration dates to allow teach‑outs, and authorized extensions in select cases while staff work with institutions on teach‑out plans.

Department presenters — including Laura Stoneking and staff from multiple public institutions — told the board they had approved program eliminations for items including master’s‑level elementary education and other specialty programs, while retaining undergraduate elementary and other core programs. The board voted to accept extensions to allow thorough teach‑outs and required submission of teach‑out plans within 90 days of approval.

Why it matters: Program closures and teach‑outs affect current candidates and regional teacher supply; board members emphasized the need to protect enrolled candidates while allowing institutions to discontinue unviable programs. The department and institutions discussed a growing national trend of declining enrollment in traditional education‑prep programs and the need for regulatory streamlining.

Board discussion and direction: Several trustees urged a rule change to avoid making institutions repeatedly seek board approval to discontinue money‑losing programs. Trustees suggested an administrative rule to allow the department to confirm an adequate teach‑out plan and process closures without individual board votes, provided student protections are documented. Staff agreed to draft proposed rule language and offer regular updates to the board on program closures and teach‑out statuses.

Formal action: The board approved multiple program eliminations and at least one extension (Plymouth State University MAT visual arts through 06/30/2027) to permit teach‑outs. The board put on record that institutions must submit teach‑out plans for affected enrolled candidates within 90 days of approval.

Ending: Board members asked department staff to craft a streamlined process and potential rule changes that would require documentation of teach‑out plans but relieve institutions from repeatedly requesting board permission to end unprofitable programs.