Tarleton State University’s TMATE program is committed to providing a collaborative educational environment that is conducive to the personal and professional development of each individual. To further that commitment, TMATE has developed procedures for students, employees, cooperating teachers, mentors and administrators to file complaints and/or appeals. In order to ensure issues are addressed in a timely manner, complaints and/or appeals must be made within one calendar month of the incident. Following are the procedures:

  1. The complainant will appeal directly in a face-to-face meeting with the TMATE Director. If the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome of the appeal to the TMATE Director, then
  2. The complainant will appeal directly to the Department Head within 10 business days. The appeal to the Department Head must be in writing and a copy must be provide to the TMATE director. If the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome of the appeal to the Department Head, then
  3. The complainant will appeal to the Dean of the College of Education and Human Development and Human Development within 10 business days. If the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome of the appeal to the Dean of the College of Education and Human Development, then
  4. The complainant will appeal to the Vice President of Academic Affairs within 10 business days.
  5. If a resolution cannot be found, the complainant may file a complaint with the Texas Education Agency. It is important to note that not all complaints fall under the authority of TEA. TEA has jurisdiction to investigate allegations of noncompliance regarding specific laws and rules, generally related to state and federal requirements. Complaints may address educator preparation program requirements listed in Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §§ 227, 228, 229, ethics (TAC 247), fingerprinting (TAC §§227, 232) and certification (TAC §§230, 231, 232, 239, 241, 242). TEA staff and the SBEC do not have jurisdiction over complaints related to contractual arrangements with an Educator Preparation Program (EPP), commercial issues, obtaining a higher grade or credit for training, or seeking reinstatement to an EPP.