IHE Licensure Officer Update OCTEO Presentation The Ohio Department of Education Office of Educator Preparation Office of Educator Licensure Office of Professional Conduct (Spring 2008)

Presentation Outline Issues related to IHE recommendations and sign-off on educator licensure applications Issues related to “lapsed time” Issues related to Professional Conduct

Issues related to institutional (IHE) recommendation (sign off) on educator licensure applications Which application form is used? Who signs the application? What does the signature attest to? All experiences and prerequisites must be verified for teacher licensure, principal licensure, endorsements, CTE, etc. What other documentation or paperwork needs to be included?

What Licensure Application Form should be used? Initial Ohio License Application – In State (updated March 2008) For Career Technical Education Route B Licensure – include a CTE-37 form (updated )

Clarification and management of candidates pursuing Career-Technical (Vocational) Teaching Licensure CTE Route A Licensure CTE Route B Licensure

Who signs the educator licensure application? IHE Dean/Head or designee Names and Titles of signatories must be on file with ODE/OEL Submit changes/updates to ODE/OEL

What does the signature attest to? Verification that the candidate/applicant has successfully completed all the academic and experience requirements for licensure as prescribed by the State Board of Education

When should the IHE Licensure Officer not sign a licensure application? The candidate is hired by a school district under an AEL and is taking coursework to meet requirements to advance from an AEL to a provisional or professional license but is NOT enrolled in the IHE’s approved preparation program. The candidate has NOT successfully completed all licensure requirements as outlined in the IHE’s approved preparation program.

What should the IHE Licensure Officer do regarding a candidate taking course work at an institution under a supplemental license? Candidates hired under a supplemental license and taking coursework to meet requirements to advance from a supplemental license to a provisional or professional license. Supplemental Licenses are accompanied with specific requirements that a candidate needs to complete to transition to a provisional or professional license. Depending on the requirements of the supplemental license, the IHE may or may not sign-off on the licensure application.

Supplemental Licenses The Supplemental licensure pathway permits a candidate to work towards full licensure EITHER through completion of an institution’s approved program OR through completion of equivalent preparation as determined by an ODE transcript evaluation. If the candidate completes requirements for the licensure in the area in which the supplemental teaching license is held through completion of the IHE’s approved program then the IHE would sign the application If the candidate completes coursework at the IHE that is a result of an ODE transcript evaluation but does NOT constitute completion of the IHE’s approved program, then the IHE would NOT sign the application.

Alternative Educator Licensure (AEL) The candidate is hired by a school district under an AEL and is taking coursework to meet requirements to advance from an AEL to a provisional or professional license but is NOT enrolled in the IHE’s approved preparation program.  Alternative Pathways to Provisional Licensure (APPL)* The candidate does not hold an AEL. The candidate may or may not hold a teaching license in another field. The candidate is taking coursework to meet requirements for a provisional or professional license and is enrolled in the IHE’s approved alternative preparation program. * Alternative Pathways to Provisional Licensure must be reported in the IHE’s institutional report/audit for NCATE or TEAC accreditation. Clarification of AEL-APPL

Alternative Educator Licensure (AEL) Candidates pursuing Alternative Educator Licensure who complete coursework at an institution but NOT the approved program – (Do not sign the application, Do not report to Title II or State report)  Alternative Pathways to Provisional Licensure (APPL)* Candidates pursuing a Provisional or Professional License who complete an approved program at an institution. This program would be a “special” or “pilot” type of preparation program and includes such programs as CORE, STEM, etc. – (Do sign the application, Do report to Title II and State Report) * Alternative Pathways to Provisional Licensure must be reported in the IHE’s institutional report/audit for NCATE or TEAC accreditation. Clarification of AEL-APPL

Experiences and Prerequisites must be verified before signing an application Successful completion of the approved preparation program requirements Completion of the degree level required by the license (associate, bachelors or masters) Successful completion of state required assessments (Praxis II Tests) Field Experience, Student Teaching, Internship (as required) Reading requirement (ECE, MCE, IS, ECIS - 12 semester hours, AYA, MA, CTE - 3 semester hours) Principal Candidates are required to have a minimum of 2 years teaching experience under a provisional or professional teacher license at the grade levels for which the principal license is sought: grades PK-6, 4-9, Necessary prerequisite credential (license or certificate) to add an endorsement area

Praxis Testing Praxis II testing – issues and concerns regarding which test, score reporting, institutional assurance of successful completion, etc. Praxis II – PLT requirements for second licensure Reporting results of Praxis II and Praxis III results for SPA/Program Title II and State Reports

Requirements and Verification of State Mandated Field Experiences and Student Teaching All initial Teaching Licenses (except associate and CTE Route B) required: 100 hours (minimum) of Field Experience 12 weeks (minimum) of Student Teaching (clinical practice) All Administration and PPS Licenses Required internships (varies)

What must be submitted to the ODE/OEL Completed Application Form (2 pages) with signatures Check or money order payable to Treasurer State of Ohio BCII and FBI criminal background checks completed within one year of the date of application. The BCII and FBI information must be reported directly to ODE by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation

Issues and guidelines regarding lapsed time between program completion and institutional (IHE) recommendation for licensure

Professional Conduct Issues HB 190 requirements BCI and FBI Fingerprinting in advance of field experience, student teaching, or internship Educator Code of Conduct

What is HB190? Brief History Review

ODE Recommendation Regarding Background Checks IHE should develop a policy for students/candidates enrolled in a licensure program. Include the following: When should background checks be completed Which background checks are required – BCI/FBI or both What is the IHE procedure to follow if a BCI/FBI check fails Unlawful disclosure of background check results Other

Early Field Experiences/ Clinical Practice Field Experience/Observations Comply with school district’s policies May fall under district’s guidelines for volunteers Student Teaching/Clinical/Internship BCI and FBI background checks Valid BCI and FBI checks may be used for initial licensure

Impact of Failed BCI / FBI Background Checks Absolute bar offenses: Not eligible for licensure/employment Counsel student about not completing program Do no place student in student teaching Offenses requiring rehabilitation: Eligibility for licensure/employment may not be clear Require student to contact ODE to discuss eligibility Comply with school district’s decision regarding student teaching Other minor criminal offenses: Eligible for licensure/employment Comply with school district’s decision regarding student teaching

Other Issues Q and A

Contact Information Office of Educator Licensure Jennifer Kangas – Phone: Office of Educator Preparation John Soloninka – Phone: Office of Professional Conduct Lori Kelly – Phone: