Dismissal & Appeal

DISMISSAL

Dismissal decisions for failure to achieve compliance with the Program Requirements and Expectations typically occur at the end of defined intervals (e.g., semester, school year), however, Urban Teachers reserves the right to dismiss a participant at any point. For example, a single instance of unprofessionalism can result in immediate dismissal from the program. In making dismissal decisions, Urban Teachers exercises its judgment and seeks to consider where appropriate the totality of the circumstances.

Participants are eligible for dismissal from the program for reasons including, but not limited to any of the following: 

COURSEWORK

• Receiving an F course grade
• Receiving more than one C+, C, or C- course grade (only one such course grade is permitted)
• Failing to maintain or earn a final cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for graduate coursework

TEACHING PRACTICE

• Not meeting the program year expectation
• Failure to complete the coaching treatment in full

PROFESSIONALISM

• Violating the Urban Teachers attendance policies and/or reporting procedures
• Seeking new school placement without guidance from Urban Teachers
• Violating of the Social Media Guidelines
• Violating the Physical Contact with Children Guidelines
• Exhibiting a pattern of unresponsiveness to Urban Teachers communications
• One or more serious incidences of unprofessional behavior

SCHOOL PLACEMENT

• Not maintaining good standing at the school site
• Principal dismissal from school placement during the school year
• Formal or informal school decision not to hire or rehire the following year
• Formal or informal unsatisfactory school rating

CERTIFICATION

• Not passing required state exams
• Not passing the Teacher Effectiveness Evaluation

VIOLATION OF JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY OR SCHOOL OF EDUCATION ACADEMIC, STUDENT CONDUCT, OR OTHER POLICIES WHILE ENROLLED IN THE MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAM

Participants who are dismissed from the Urban Teachers program are automatically dismissed from the Johns Hopkins School of Education’s master’s degree program. In addition, the Johns Hopkins School of Education reserves the right to dismiss from the program at any time any participant who violates the school’s academic and/or student conduct policies, or whose academic standing or general conduct is considered to be unsatisfactory. Participants who are dismissed from the Johns Hopkins School of Education master’s degree program will also be automatically dismissed from Urban Teachers’ program. Participants who are academically dismissed from the Urban Teachers program will not be permitted to apply or matriculate in another Johns Hopkins School of Education course or program.

Appealing Dismissals

Participants appealing a decision made by Urban Teachers (as opposed to the Johns Hopkins School of Education) to dismiss them from the program must make a written request for an appeal hearing by sending an email, including the request and supporting documents, to: Dismissal.Appeals@urbanteachers.org within five (5) business days after the official dismissal notice. This request must include the rationale, in writing, as to why the dismissal is believed unjust. It is in the participant’s best interest to provide as much evidence as possible to support the stated rationale for the appeal. The participant will receive a response within five (5) business days as to whether an appeal hearing will be granted or if the dismissal stands.

If an appeal hearing is granted, the response will include a proposed hearing date that should occur within ten (10) business days after Urban Teachers’ notification that it will approve the appeal hearing request. The Urban Teachers appeal hearing, at a minimum, consists of a representative from the national office (e.g., the Chief Academic Officer). At the appeal hearing meeting, the participant will make his or her case, and provide any evidence or documentation to support his or her belief that the dismissal was not consistent with Urban Teachers policies and procedures. Urban Teachers may ask clarifying questions or request further information. The participant will be given two (2) days to provide this information to the committee. After this submission, the committee will review the case and come to a decision within five (5) business days of the hearing date.

Participants who are appealing dismissal are not to attend master’s program coursework or any other Urban Teachers-related activities, even if an appeal hearing has been granted. Participants who are employed as full-time teachers of record by the school district or charter school are still expected to carry out all job-related responsibilities unless the school or district/CMO has indicated otherwise. The dismissal designation stands until a reversal has been determined at the conclusion of the appeal process. If the dismissal is overturned, the participant will work with all appropriate staff to make up any assignments or work that was not completed during the appeal process time frame, if applicable.

Dismissals from Urban Teachers that result from dismissal of the participant from the Johns Hopkins School of Education’s master’s degree program will be summarily denied unless the participant can demonstrate that the underlying decision by Johns Hopkins has been reversed.

Participants who are dismissed by the Johns Hopkins School of Education specifically and solely due to violation of the school or university’s policies shall have the right to appeal the decision following the terms and procedures specified under those policies. (Please refer to the School of Education’s online academic catalog for the full policies.)

Please note: Participants who are dismissed from the master’s degree program by the Johns Hopkins School of Education on the grounds of unsatisfactory academic standing cannot appeal this dismissal decision. However, participants may appeal the final course grade(s) awarded by the Johns Hopkins School of Education that led to dismissal on the grounds of unsatisfactory academic standing. (See also Grade Appeals.)