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Marana Unified approves affiliation agreement with Moreland University despite board concerns about program reputation
Summary
The governing board approved an affiliation agreement allowing Moreland University student teachers to be placed in district schools; board members expressed concern about the university's online reputation but staff said the program is ADE-approved and placements can be discontinued if problems arise.
The Marana Unified School District governing board approved an affiliation agreement that permits field placements of Moreland University's post-baccalaureate teacher candidates in district schools, despite questions from board members about the university's reputation.
District staff told the board that Moreland University is an accredited post-baccalaureate program approved by the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) and that the agreement and addendum had been reviewed by the district's legal counsel. The agreement would allow practicum student teachers from Moreland University to be placed in Marana classrooms for field experience.
At least one board member raised concerns after researching online commentary and reviews about Moreland, characterizing the program as an online provider and questioning whether affiliating with it could harm the district's reputation. District staff responded that ADE approval had been confirmed and that, as with prior placements from other institutions, the district could terminate a university's placement arrangement if a particular candidate's performance made that necessary.
The board voted to approve the affiliation agreement. Meeting audio recorded the motion carrying 4-1.
Staff emphasized that the district can end an individual placement if a candidate is not meeting expectations and that the district vetted Moreland's ADE status prior to bringing the agreement forward.
