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About the Division of Professional Standards
(DPS)
In 2005, the General Assembly passed legislation to place the
agency and staff of the Indiana Professional Standards Board (IPSB)
into the Indiana Department of Education. The division, now called
the Division of Professional Standards, is responsible for teacher
licensing, teacher testing, teacher induction and assessment, continuing
education for teachers, and the accreditation of Indiana teacher
preparation units.
The mission of the Division of Professional Standards is to enhance
the quality of learning for Indiana's P-12 students through establishing,
maintaining and ensuring adherence to performance-based standards
for Indiana P-12 education professionals throughout their careers.
The legislation also retained the Indiana Professional Standards
Board, now called the Advisory Board of the Division of Professional
Standards. The advisory board is responsible for advising the State
Superintendent of Public Instruction on all rules pertaining to
the responsibilities of the Division of Professional Standards.
The IPSB is composed of 19
members, 18 of whom are appointed by
the governor for staggered, 4-year terms: 9 actively employed Indiana
public school teachers, 3 representing higher education, 2 representing
principals, 1 representing superintendents, 1 representing special
education directors, 1 representing school boards, and 1 representing
business. The Superintendent of Public Instruction is an ex-officio
member. The agency has 25 staff positions
to support its responsibilities.
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