WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA SCHOOLS DISTRICT 624. RELICENSURE Committee. Guidelines

Transcription

1 WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA SCHOOLS DISTRICT 624 RELICENSURE Committee Guidelines

2 White Bear Lake Teacher Association Letter to Staff... 3 Overview... 4 Preface Purpose and Philosophy Who is Subject to Committee Action Correlation of Licenses Code of Ethics for Teacher District Committee Membership District Committee Meetings District Committee Member Duties District Committee Chair Duties Building Representatives Responsibilities of Licensees Appeal Procedures Relicensure Guidelines License Renewal Procedures Relicensure Checklist Six Areas of Continuing Education Credit Continuing Education Categories and Rules Forms Application for Clock Hours Teacher Verification Frequently Asked Questions MN Department of ED Instructions.. 20 White Bear Lake Area Schools Revised October, 2014 Page 2

3 CONTINUING EDUCATION GUIDELINES WHITE BEAR LAKE TEACHER ASSOCIATION APPLICATION PACKET (Keep with your professional records) August, 2014 TO: FROM: All Personnel Needing Relicensing District 624 Relicensing Committee John Barnes, Otter (WBLTA-May, 2014) Julee Ellefson, WBLAHS (WBLTA-May 2014) Ellen Gevers, Lincoln (WBLTA-May 2012) Margaret Lane, Vadnais (WBLTA-May, 2014) Michael McCollough, Central (WBTA-May 2012) Christina Pierre, South Campus (Administrator, ) Chris Picha, District Center (Administrator, ) Kari Solheim, Birch Lake (WBLTA-May, 2012) Chair Connie Hamilton (Community Member) WBLTA members are elected for a two-year term in May on a staggered basis by the general membership and will take office by the following September. Committee procedure guidelines will follow rules set forth in the brochure, "A Decision for Involvement" by Personnel Licensing and Placement Section Division of Special Services, Minnesota Department of Education. RE: Update on Local Relicensing Guidelines Attached you will find the current relicensing guidelines as mandated by the Minnesota Department of Education and adopted by the committee. Please read the guidelines carefully as there have been some significant changes made in the unit value and maximum units earned in a number of the categories. Make certain to check committee meeting dates and have your renewal forms submitted in time for the committee to approve them. This packet contains the following forms: 1. WBLTA Relicensing Procedure 2. WBLTA Relicensing Guidelines 3. Application for Renewal Clock Hours - Relicensing 4. Verification Form for Relicensing Meeting Dates: 02/05/15 8:00 a.m. 04/30/15 8:00 a.m. Location: District Center If you have any questions, please contact a member of this committee. NOTE: Forms are available for pick-up in the Human Resources Office, individual School Offices, or on-line. White Bear Lake Area Schools Revised October, 2014 Page 3

4 Preface The contents and regulations listed in this document have been adapted from rule of the Minnesota Board of Teaching, Minnesota Rules, Chapter It is each individual teacher s responsibility to become informed of and to comply with the published requirement of this local committee. Purpose and Philosophy The local continuing education committee for White Bear Lake Area Schools is established according to the Minnesota Board of Teaching rules for the purpose of evaluating continuing education activities, granting appropriate clock hours for these activities, and recommending renewal of fiveyear continuing or professional teaching and support service licenses. It is understood that the purpose of continuing education is to enhance the capabilities of the professional educator in performing assigned professional responsibilities. It is not intended to be primarily a reward for effort expended in lieu of other compensation. All activities for which clock hours are granted must address standards in Minnesota Rules Since mandated continuing education cannot provide absolute assurance of maturing professionalism, the major responsibility for professional growth lies with the individual. Each person licensed by the Board of Teaching must demonstrate professional commitment by being a discriminating appraiser of his / her own growth needs and possible growth alternatives and by actively pursuing opportunities to upgrade and improve professional capabilities. The local committee provides assistance through interpretation of state rules and guidelines in order to provide equitable implementation and to encourage a variety of growth possibilities. Who is Subject to Committee Action Except for individuals holding BLIFE B licenses, all individuals with continuing or professional licenses are subject to the Board of Teaching continuing education rules. This includes vocational licenses previously under the jurisdiction of local vocational committee and renewed under separate rules. The same renewal requirements now apply to both standard and vocational licenses. Correlation of Licenses Effective on January 1, 2002, with renewals of licenses that expire in 2002 and licenses that have lapsed and expired before 2002, the Board of Teaching will correlate expiration dates of all vocational and standard licenses so that teachers may renew all licenses for the same fee. The correlation will be done as follows: The first license(s) renewed whether vocational or standard will be renewed to the expiration date of the later-expired licenses. The correlated licenses may then be renewed in the year of expiration using a single set of 125 clock hours and a single application fee. Because clock hours must be earned in the five years prior to renewal application, it is possible that some activities may be used for both the first and second renewals of such correlated licenses if those activities fall within the five years prior to BOTH renewals. Correlation of teaching licenses and White Bear Lake Area Schools Revised October, 2014 Page 4

5 administrative licenses is not included in the automatic process because administrative licenses are under the jurisdiction of the Board of School Administrators rather than the Board of Teaching. Individuals who have both vocational and standard licenses that already expire in the same year may renew all licenses with a single application fee and a single set of 125 clock hours. When administrative licenses have become correlated to teaching licenses, the single fee will renew the administrative licenses as well, but the continuing education renewal requirements for administrative licenses are done separately, according to Board of School Administrator procedures. Finally, local committees will honor and sign for renewal conditions of 108 clock hours for individuals holding vocational licenses that state that 108 clock hours will be sufficient. Code of Ethics for Teachers The code of Ethics for Teachers can be found at the following link. All teachers are expected to know, understand, and abide by the Code of Ethics. District Committee Membership As required in state rules, the local committee consists of the following members: A. Director of Human Resources B. Five individuals licensed by the Board of Teaching and elected / appointed by the licensed teaching faculty in White Bear Lake Area Schools. C. One individual who holds a Minnesota administrator s license and elected / appointed by the licensed administrators of White Bear Lake Area Schools. D. One resident of White Bear Lake Area Schools who is not an employee of the school district and who is designated by the White Bear Lake Area Schools School Board. School Board members are not considered to be employees of the District. District Committee Meetings A schedule of meetings will be established and published to those subject to the committee s jurisdiction. The members at the fall organizational meeting will determine committee meeting dates. For the purpose of transacting business, a quorum is more that 50 percent of the total membership of the committee. A majority vote of the committee members present and voting is sufficient to take action. If the committee members choose to not physically meet, a majority vote of the committee members may take place via . Approval for emergency requests during periods when the committee does not meet may be obtained by contacting the chair who is authorized to take action on the emergency request. This procedure is limited to actual hardship situations and is not to be employed simply as a convenience measure or as a substitute for proper action. In order to ensure consistent and equitable interpretation, the committee discusses any applications and CEU requests that do not readily conform to established guidelines and clock hours assigned based upon a file of past decisions and practices that is maintained for each category. White Bear Lake Area Schools Revised October, 2014 Page 5

6 District Committee Member Duties The district committee s responsibilities include establishing written operational guidelines, establishing meeting schedules and procedures, assigning clock hour allocations for each category according to state rules, informing staff of committee membership in the spring by notice to all teachers, and distributing the complete by-laws and documents to each affected individual whenever significant changes are made. The district committee will also provide supporting evidence to the Board of Teaching when an appeal is taken from a decision of the local committee, forward complete information to the Board of Teaching in a timely manner, and provide those services and reports that may be required from time to time by the Board of Teaching. The district committee will also provide recommendations to appropriate personnel concerning the inservice needs of the school district. District Committee Chair Duties In addition to sharing operational duties with other committee members, the chair calls and conducts meetings, prepares agendas, approves renewal applications, provides leadership in orienting new committee members, serves as liaison and contact person in the committee s relationship with outside agencies and individuals, coordinates revision of local guidelines when needed, handles committee correspondence, and maintains relicensure records. Through the officers may not personally perform all of the assigned duties, they are responsible for their timely and successful performance. Building Representatives Staff Development Committee Members will assist District Committee by facilitating relicensure process at the building level. The building representative will approve all building CEUs. Questions regarding CEUs will be brought to the Relicensure chair and/or committee as needed. All certificates for CEU requests will be returned to the requestor or recycled. Once approved the committee will not keep paper copies of CEU certificates. The building representative will also provide recommendations to the Relicensure chair and thus Board of Teaching for the renewal of teaching licenses. They will act, within a reasonable time, upon requests for recommendation for renewal of license by determining whether the applicant has met renewal requirements. The applicant shall assume the responsibility for making certain that the online renewal is complete. The building representative will hold a fall meeting for those who will renew their licenses the following year. White Bear Lake Area Schools Revised October, 2014 Page 6

7 Responsibilities of Licensees It is the responsibility of the person seeking renewal of a license to submit the application, appropriate verification, and other supporting materials to the local committee of the school district in which they are employed, were previously employed, or in which they reside, in accordance with procedures and the due dates established by the committee and stated in these guidelines. It is also the responsibility of the applicant to make certain that the completed application and processing fee are forwarded to the Personnel Licensing Section, Department of Education after endorsement by the committee. When the applicant receives the renewal license, a copy is to be forwarded to the district Human Resources office to be placed in the permanent record file. The other copy is to be kept by the applicant. Licensure is a personal responsibility, and each applicant is URGED to keep a set of records as a safeguard against accidental mishap during the relicensure process. The committee does not keep records of paperwork. Guidelines and forms needed for the relicensure procedure may be obtained from the district website. Clock hours are to be earned in two or more of the categories listed in the state rules. Clock hours also need to fulfill the required areas as put forth by the State Department of Education. Although activities of several kinds are to be undertaken for clock hours, each must provide opportunity for NEW professional growth, as opposed to repetition of previous growth / knowledge. The applicant is to have clock hours granted by the committee of the district where he or she was employed when the experience was completed. If a licensed person employed by a school district becomes employed by a different district during a renewal period, the applicant should request the committee transfer clock hours already earned and granted during that renewal period to the local committee in the new district. Unless granted contrary to rules, the new committee will accept clock hours granted by previous district. Appeal Procedures Decisions concerning whether to grant clock hours and the number of hours to be granted (within the parameters of the rule) are made by the local committee, which also must consider other relevant factors. For example, it may determine that hours should not be granted a second time for activities that are not essentially different. On the other hand, it may determine that additional hours are applicable if new dimensions can be validated for a second experience, according to the description of the activity and the professional development objectives provided on the clock hour request form. When an applicant has not been granted the requested number of clock hours by a local continuing education / relicensure committee, an appeal may be made to the local committee within 20 working days after notification of the decision of the local committee. Failure to file a written request with the local committee for an appeal within 20 working days constitutes a waiver of the individual s right to appeal. Decisions by a local committee for continuing education / relicensure denying the appeal may be appealed to the Board of Teaching by the applicant within 30 calendar days after the date of the White Bear Lake Area Schools Revised October, 2014 Page 7

8 denial is reaffirmed. Appeal forms are available from any committee member or on the WBL web page under relicensure. In cases where the applicant has not been granted the required number of clock hours for relicensure, the local committee will not endorse the application for renewal of the continuing license. In the event that the clock hours under appeal result in loss of licensure, it shall be the responsibility of the appellant to inform the Board of Teaching. The Board shall extend the previous license until all avenues have been exhausted. Relicensure Guidelines for White Bear Lake Area Public Schools An application requesting renewal of a standard or vocational license to teach must earn a minimum of 125 clock hours during each five-year licensure period from July 1 of the year of issuance to June 30 of the year of expiration. Applications for renewal are accepted for processing by the Minnesota Department of Education after January 1 of the year of expiration. An applicant may not bank clock hours for purposes of relicensure, but clock hours earned after an application for renewal has been submitted, after June 30 of the renewal year, may be applied to the next renewal period. The local relicensure committee is also responsible for school nurse, school psychologist, and school social worker renewals. For all applications of clock hours or renewal units, verification must be included with the application. This may include college transcripts, PDExpress transcripts, writing time documentation, certificates of attendance, etc. Also, at least 30 clock hours must be applicable to each of the licensure areas for a total of no fewer than 125 clock hours, with priority given to work in areas where the candidate is employed during the licensure period. An applicant who holds an administrative license or licenses may allocate clock hours for the renewal of teaching licensure. Clock hour means an hour of actual instruction or planned group or individual development activity as approved by the local continuing education / relicensure committee. Lunch and breaks do not count as part of clock hours. Renewal clock hours Verification by the local continuing education / relicensure committee that the applicant has completed 125 approved clock hours is required for renewal. Instruction and professional development activities meet requirements to renew licenses only if they address one or more of the standards in part Effective for renewal of continuing licenses that expire on June 30, 2012, and thereafter, applicants must also include in their 125 clock hours instruction or other professional development activities that address: 1. Positive behavior intervention strategies; 2. Modification, accommodation, or adaptation of curriculum, instruction, or materials for students with special needs as they work toward achieving graduation standards; and 3. Reading preparation related to comprehensive scientifically based reading instruction. 4. Understanding the key warning signs of early onset mental illness in children and adolescents. 5. Integrate technology effectively with student learning to increase engagement and student achievement. White Bear Lake Area Schools Revised October, 2014 Page 8

9 6. Reflective Statement, beginning July 1, 2012: A reflective statement of professional accomplishment and the applicant s own assessment of professional growth. LICENSE RENEWAL PROCEDURE The State Renewal License Application must be completed ON-LINE by the teacher after January 1 of relicensure year. Go to: Minnesota Department of Education s web site: Choose On-Line Licensing System. Renewal Clock Hour Procedures Are As Follows: 1. Fill out the Application for Renewal Clock Hours - Relicensing Form. 2. On all activities where collegiate credit is involved, a transcript (copy is OK) must be attached even though you already have a transcript in your personnel file. We do not have access to that file. 3. Transcript printed from PDExpress and/or verification forms must be attached. Authorized signature on form means chairperson of committee, administrator involved, workshop presenter, volunteer coordinator, etc. 4. Send your application form and attached sheets to the Relicensing Committee, Personnel Office, District Center, 4855 Bloom Avenue, White Bear Lake, Minnesota After approval, your clock hour information will be transferred to our tally sheet and your copy will be returned to you. 6. You will be notified if your activity is not approved. You will then have the opportunity to present additional evidence for further consideration. You are entitled to a personal appearance before the committee if you so desire. Right of Appeal 1. When an applicant has not been granted the requested number of clock hours by a local continuing education / relicensure committee, an appeal may be made to the local committee. An applicant must appeal to the local committee within thirty days after notification of the decision of the local committee. Failure to file a written request with the local committee for an appeal within thirty days constitutes a waiver of the individual's right of appeal. 2. Decisions, by a local committee for continuing education / relicensure, denying the appeal may be appealed to the Board of Teaching by the applicant according to the provisions of part of the Continuing Education - Relicensure Rule. 3. In cases where the applicant has not been granted the required number of clock hours for relicensure, local committees shall not endorse the application for renewal of the continuing license. 4. In the event that the clock hours under appeal result in loss of licensure, it shall be the responsibility of the appellant to inform the director of licensing of such loss of licensure. The director of licensing shall extend the previous continuing license until all avenues of administrative appeal have been exhausted. 5. The committee has set up deadlines when clock hours to be approved should be turned in to the Human Resources Office: February and May White Bear Lake Area Schools Revised October, 2014 Page 9

10 6a). Two-Year Renewal Requirements (FOR TEACHERS GRANDPARENTED IN) 1. Verification of at least one year of successful teaching experience (through Human Resources Office) and signature of Human Resources Director. 6b). Five-Year and Six-Year Renewal Requirements clock hours as described below. 2. When you are ready to be relicensed, fill out and send the State Department of Education Form for Personnel Licensing and Renewal Application to this committee to be signed. This form is available through the District Human Resources Office or your building s main office. You are responsible for mailing this form to the State Department of Education or completing the renewal online. Do not send us this form for our signature prior to your year of relicensing. 7. If anything has to be returned to you via the mail, please supply the committee with a selfaddressed, stamped envelope, 8. Fees: WBLTA 1. Members and fair share - no processing fee. 2. Non-members - $10.00 to WBLTA due at the time the renewal form is to be signed by the committee. 9 State Department - This fee is a separate check which you send with the renewal application, including the conduct review statement (ED ) to the State Department 10. If you are renewing in two or more areas, you must allocate at least thirty (30) clock hours to each of the licensure areas. Note this change from the Minnesota Department of Education Once teachers have renewed their license, they may begin their next set of hours and CEUs upon that renewal date. Any additional credits for re-licensure received after the date of issue from MDE may be used for the next five years. Teachers do not need to wait until July 1 of the renewal year to begin accumulating CEU hours. Setting up your Account Special Instructions from the Minnesota Department of Education If a teacher has established a user ID and password, that password is good forever (that is if the teacher has accessed their account since 2007). If the teacher has accessed their account, they should not try to create another account. That would result in a duplicate account and create a problem for MDE and the teacher. If in doubt, contact MDE, If the teacher has not accessed their account in the MDE relicensing system since their last renewal, that teacher will be considered a new user and must create a new account and establish a new user name and password. Before the teacher begins to set up a new account, they need to have their file number and their serial number. That information is required in order to complete the process. For any questions or assistance, please call White Bear Lake Area Schools Revised October, 2014 Page 10

11 RELICENSURE Checklist It is important to complete ALL the needed paperwork before your license expires. You may renew your license after January 1 st of the year it expires. Do not wait. You need a total of 125 clock hours that must encompass the following: Six State Areas of Continuing Education Credit. These requirements can be met at any time during the 5-year license renewal period. Area #1. Positive behavior intervention strategies; Area #2. Modification, accommodation, or adaptation of curriculum, instruction, or materials for students with special needs as they work toward achieving graduation standards; Area #3. Reading preparation related to comprehensive scientifically based reading instruction; Area #4. Understanding the key warning signs of early onset mental illness in children and adolescents. Area #5. Integrate technology effectively with student learning to increase engagement and student achievement. Area 6. Reflective Statement: A reflective statement of professional accomplishment and the applicant s own assessment of professional growth. You need a total of 125 clock hours that must encompass the following: at least two of the categories in A-I. The following categories and rules are taken directly from MDE guidelines. The examples are local. Categories and Rules A. Relevant coursework completed at accredited colleges and universities 16 clock hours per quarter credit and 24 clock hours per semester credit. B. Educational workshops, conferences, institutes, seminars, or lectures in areas appropriate to licenses held; C. Staff development activities, in-service meetings, PLCs, Summer Institute classes; D. Curriculum development at site, district, regional, state, national, or international level; E. Engagement in formal peer coaching or mentorship relationships with colleagues that address one or more of the standards in part ; MAX 30 CEUs White Bear Lake Area Schools Revised October, 2014 Page 11

12 F. Professional service in the following areas: MAX 30 CEUs 1. Supervision of clinical experiences of persons enrolled in teacher preparation programs. 2. Participation on national, state, and local committees involved with licensure, teacher education, or professional standards; or 3. Participation in national, regional, or state accreditation; G. Leadership experiences in the following areas: MAX 35 CEUs over a 5 year period 1. Development of new or broader skills and sensitivities to the school, community, or profession (i.e. Department Chair, Team Leaders, Building Lead Teacher, Building Tech Committee, school leader, community volunteer); or 2. Publication of professional articles in a professional journal in an appropriate field; or 3. Volunteer work in professional organizations related to the areas of licensure held (i.e. WBLTA representative); H. Opportunities to enhance knowledge and understanding of diverse educational settings in the following areas: MAX 35 CEUs 1. Experiences with students of another age, ability, culture, or socioeconomic level; or 2. Systematic, purposeful observation during visits to schools and to related business and industry; I. Preapproved travel or work experience: MAX 30 CEUs 1. Travel for purposes of improving instructional capabilities related to the field of licensure (one week of work experience equals 10 clock hours to a maximum of 30 clock hours in a five-year period) Clock hours will be granted upon teacher s return. Will need to show how this travel experience has been incorporated into curriculum or other professional activities. 2. Work experience in business or industry appropriate to the field of licensure (one week of pre-approved travel equals 10 clock hours) (also includes National Board Certification). To be verified by written statement from the employer, with validation of work hours and duties. Self-employment is to be verified as bona fide work experience by a written statement from a reputable representative of the work field in which the self-employment occurred or from copies of the applicant s business records, with validation of hours / duties. White Bear Lake Area Schools Revised October, 2014 Page 12

13 WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA SCHOOLS DISTRICT 624 APPLICATION FOR CLOCK HOURS RELICENSING NAME LICENSE # DATE HOME ADDRESS HOME PHONE SCHOOL SCHOOL PHONE AREA(S) OF CERTFICATION YEAR LICENSE EXPIRES Activity Course #, Workshop Title, In-service Title, Travel, Other Category Letter Date Credits or Total Hours Number Clock Hours Verification Form Included Yes No Approved Yes No Please attach qualifying documents such as transcripts, statements, verification forms, etc.... Relicensing Committee: Total Clock Hours Approved Date Signature This form indicates approval by local committee only. Upon completion of the required 125 clock hours, the Human Resources Licensing-Renewal Application form must be signed by an authorized member of the committee before you renew on-line with the State Department of Education. This form is available from this committee, on-line, in the Human Resources Office, or in your building office. White Bear Lake Area Schools Revised October, 2014 Page 13

14 WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA SCHOOLS DISTRICT 624 TEACHER VERIFICATION FORM FOR RELICENSING (to be used when a certificate of participation is not available) NAME DATE HOME ADDRESS HOME PHONE SCHOOL SCHOOL PHONE Brief description of activity: (workshops, in-service staff development, travel, volunteer work, guest teaching, guest speaking, etc.) Date: Hours of Involvement: Number of Clock Hours Requested: Authorized Signature: Position: White Bear Lake Area Schools Revised October, 2014 Page 14

15 ONLINE LICENSING SYSTEM FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) First-time license, can I apply online? You can apply for a first-time license ore renew an existing license. See page 12 for MDE Special Instructions. Requests for endorsements, duplicates, name/address changes and surrenders are not available online. How long will it take to get my license? The approximate application processing time is 3-4 weeks. In the busy summer months (June, July, August) it can take up to 6-8 weeks. Can I teach while I m waiting for my license to be issued? No, you must have a valid Minnesota license or a valid permission for the Minnesota Board of Teaching in order to teach in Minnesota. User ID and password, why do I need these? Your user ID and password provide you with sole access to your license account. Keep your user ID and password in a safe place for future logins. After your account setup, your user ID and password will take you directly to your license account. Forgotten user ID and password, what do I do? The licensing system login page has options to retrieve forgotten passwords. From the forgotten password options, you can retrieve a forgotten user ID Need more help, call File folder number and serial number, how do I find them? Both numbers are displayed on your printed license. You can look up your file folder number on the Educator Licensing web site. Serial number, the application is telling me my serial number is incorrect. Be sure your serial number is the one from your most recent license. Pay application processing fee, how do I do that? Online payment is accepted at the end of the application process. Online payment is required for all online applications. You cannot send a check or money order for an online application, you must pay online using VISA or MasterCard. Pay online, is it safe? Access to the US bank epayment site is fully secure. None of your credit card or private information is transmitted between MDE and US Bank. White Bear Lake Area Schools Revised October, 2014 Page 15

16 Clock hour requirement is incomplete although all of my clock hours have been entered by my continuing education committee. Your committee needs to approve the mandatory requirements before clock hours are considered complete. Application status, how do I find out my application status after applying online? Login using your user ID and password. Your license account will display the status of all your licenses and applications. Endorsements to an existing license, can I apply for an endorsement online? At this time, endorsements to existing licenses are requested via a paper application. Checklist of required documents, how do I go back and print it? If you have logged out of the licensing system, log back in and your license account will display a link to your checklist. If you are still in the licensing system and have submitted your application, there is a link in the left menu for your checklist. Short Call Substitute, I have a five-year SCS license, can I apply for a standard teaching license online? At this time, you will need to apply for your standard license using a paper application. CEUs, how do I look up the number of CEUs the district reported online for me? Login to the online licensing system. If you are setting up your account you will need your file folder number and the serial number from the last printed license. Once you are in your license account, the link for CEUs is in the left menu bar. Verification of college recommendation form, how do I get one? You will be able to download the form once you start the online process. All licensing forms are available on the Educator Licensing web page using the license documents link. Name and address change, how do I update my license? Submit the Duplicate form. All licensing forms are available on the Educator Licensing web page using the license documents link. Apply online, where are the instructions? Educator Licensing web site has instructions for the online licensing system. White Bear Lake Area Schools Revised October, 2014 Page 16

17 WHITE BEAR LAKE FREQUENTLY ASKED RELICENSURE QUESTIONS How do I know when my license expires? You could check directly on your license. Go to the Minnesota Department of Education s web site How do I request CEUs for seminars and workshops that I have attended, and/or request approval to attend seminars and workshops To request CEUs for a class/seminar/workshop that you have ALREADY attended: o Fill in CEU Request Form. Fill in the required information as indicated on the form. As indicated on the bottom of this form, please send verification of attendance to your building Relicensure Representative along with this form. It will then be sent to your relicensure rep for final approval of your CEU hours. To request approval to attend a class/seminar/workshop that you wish to attend, in other words, an activity that has not yet occurred: o Request form from your building or Teaching and Learning. Fill in the required information as indicated on the form. The request will then be reviewed by your Building Staff Development Representative and your Building Principal who will either approve or deny your request. To request approval to attend an Out of State Conference that you wish to attend, in other words, an activity that has not yet occurred: o Request form from your building or Teaching and Learning. Fill in the required information as indicated on the form. The request will then be reviewed by your Building Staff Development Representative and your Building Principal who will either approve or deny your request. How many CEUs do I need, in what state areas, and in how many categories? 125 clock hours (CEUs) in a five year period, in 6 state areas and in a minimum of 2 categories in the category list from A-I. See My Relicensure Checklist for further information. Is there a limit to how many CEUs I can earn in a category during the 5 year period? No, for categories A-C. Yes for categories D-I. The maximum CEUs that can be earned in each of these areas is 30 or 35. How many semester and quarter credits equal how many CEU credits? 1 semester credit equals 24 CEUs. 1 quarter credit equals 16 CEUs. Can I renew my license now even though it does not expire until next year? I have met all of the requirements. No. You cannot renew until January 2 of the same year you are due to renew. White Bear Lake Area Schools Revised October, 2014 Page 17

18 May I save CEUs if I don t need them for this relicensure period, and bank them for my next relicensure period? No. CEUs need to be earned within the time frame of your license and are not good after that time frame expires. There is no such thing in relicensure circles as saving for a rainy day. It is strictly, use it or lose it. I am a teacher from out of state. What do I do to get my license? Our Human Resource Department will work directly with you. Contact Chris Picha. Once I have renewed, do I need to send a copy of my license to the district? No, but it is probably a good idea. The district will keep your copy in a fireproof file cabinet and will have it available if you would ever lose your copy. I would like to renew my license. What do I do? ONLINE renewals are REQUIRED for teachers via the MN Department of Education secure website. Most renewals are processed within 48 hours. You can also use the site to check the status of an application in process and to review your continuing education clock hour record. 1. First, work with your building relicensure representative to make sure that you have met all the requirement for renewing. 2. Next, when you know that you have met all requirements, ask your building representative to send your packet to the relicensure committee after January 1 for the final approval from the district committee affirming to the State that you have completed the 125 clock hour requirement. 3. Finally, to enter the site you will need your file folder number and the first six digits of the serial number form your most recently issued Minnesota license. If you do not know this information, go to the MN Department of Education website and look it up by teacher first and last name. White Bear Lake Area Schools Revised October, 2014 Page 18

19 MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Renewal Instructions Table of Contents Overview... 1 BEGIN YOUR RENEWAL APPLICATION... 1 MINNESOTA TEACHER LICENSURE EXAMINATIONS (MTLE)... 2 HUMAN RELATIONS... 3 MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE RENEWAL OF FIVE-YEAR LICENSES... 3 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING LICENSE RENEWAL... 9 ADMINISTRATIVE LICENSE RENEWAL EXCEPTION SECTION CLOCK HOUR EXEMPTION FOR NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION CLOCK HOUR EXEMPTION FOR SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS CLOCK HOUR EXEMPTION FOR SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS Overview Applications for the renewal of a Minnesota license are submitted through our online licensing system. All licenses expire on June 30 of the year of expiration. You must provide verification of having met the renewal requirements stated on the expiring license. When renewing a five-year license, submitting your application before your clock hours have been recorded by the local continuing education committee will slow the processing of your renewal. BEGIN YOUR RENEWAL APPLICATION Once you have completed all renewal requirements, follow these steps to complete your application. Step 1: If you have not already done so, set up your user profile required to access the online licensing system. Read the First-Time User Registration Guide on the Minnesota Department of Education website. Your file folder number and the serial number from your most recently issued license will be needed to set up your account. Contact Educator Licensing at [email protected] for assistance. Step 2: Follow the screen prompts to complete online application. All applicants are required to fully complete the Conduct Review screens. If you have existing or pending convictions, complete the following information for each instance: 2 Convicted or currently charged with Level of offense Date of offense Name of arresting agency Court jurisdiction If you are now or were ever on probation as part of the sentence imposed in this matter, the following information is also needed: Plea and conditions of probation, if any Date of release from probation If still on probation, name of probation officer If still on probation, telephone number of probation officer Details of the incident Step 3: Print the cover sheet provided at the end of the application for a list of the supplemental information you will be required to submit to our office before processing of your renewal application can begin. Please be sure to include this cover sheet with your materials as it will help us identify the information as yours. Step 4: Make your payment using VISA or MasterCard through a secure site at US Bank. You will be required to provide the three-digit security number (be found on the signature strip on the back of the credit card). White Bear Lake Area Schools Revised October, 2014 Page 19

20 Processing of your application will not begin until your online payment has been made and confirmed as processed by US Bank and all materials listed on your checklist have been mailed, delivered to Educator Licensing or ed (see next section about Teacher Licensure Examinations). The document coversheet would only need to be mailed to MDE if additional documentation is required to process your renewal. It is not necessary to mail in the coversheet if you are renewing a five-year continuing license and your local committee has already reported your professional development hours. MINNESOTA TEACHER LICENSURE EXAMINATIONS (MTLE) The MTLE is the current method of assessing the basic skills, pedagogical and content-area knowledge of Minnesota K- 12 teacher candidates. If you have been issued a one-year license, any requirements regarding testing will appear as a renewal condition on your license. The required tests must be taken prior to the renewal of your license. A series of Frequently Asked Questions is available here to provide information about the testing program, requirements and the transition from the Praxis series. The MTLE website contains information including registration information, test frameworks and study guides ( Score reports should be submitted to [email protected]. Please include your name and file folder number in the subject line. 3 HUMAN RELATIONS The Minnesota Human Relations addresses components related to racial, cultural and economic groups and interpersonal communications. Minnesota has reciprocity arrangements with Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin, in accepting human relations programs for licensure purposes. In addition, a human relations program completed in another state may be accepted if it was taken as part of a recent teacher education program and is comparable to Minnesota requirements. Some Peace Corps and Teacher Corps experiences meet the Minnesota human relations requirements, when documented. View the Human Relations Verification Chart on the MDE website. This chart may be submitted with your application documents if your degree was not completed in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota or Wisconsin. Preparation for licensure as a school counselor, school nurse, school psychologist, school social worker, or speechlanguage pathologist satisfies Minnesota s human relations requirement. [Note: Out-of-state applicants who have not met the human relations requirement may be issued a one-year license. The human relations requirement will appear as a renewal condition on the license, and this requirement must be met during that year in order to renew the license, either through the verification chart or completion of one of Minnesota s approved human relations programs.] MANDATORY RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE RENEWAL OF FIVE-YEAR LICENSES The renewal of five-year teaching/related services licenses requires the completion of 125 hours of professional development that have been approved through the local school district s continuing education committee. As part of the 125 professional development hours, the Minnesota Legislature, by statute, currently requires ALL teachers to evidence the four areas shown below. Please note that two additional requirements will take effect in 2012; see pages 3-7 for information about these requirements. Each school district, through its continuing education committee, is charged with determining the requirements to meet this condition. The legislation intentionally provides latitude so that districts can determine the requirement based on local goals and needs. Teachers should work through their local continuing education committee for guidance about what is expected and where to obtain the professional development. Online professional development opportunities may be used to meet the requirements, as long as they meet the rule requirements. Teachers should work through their local continuing education committee for guidance about what is expected and where to obtain the professional development. Positive Behavioral Intervention Strategies Effective for renewal of professional licenses which expire on June 30, 2001, and after, applicants must include in their professional development activities which address positive behavioral intervention strategies. View Minnesota Statutes Section 122A.09 ( 4 White Bear Lake Area Schools Revised October, 2014 Page 20

21 Accommodation, Modification, and Adaptation of Curriculum, Materials and Instruction Effective for renewal of professional licenses which expire on June 30, 2001, and after, applicants must include in their professional development activities which address accommodation, modification, and adaptation of curriculum, materials, and instruction to appropriately meet the needs of varied students in achieving graduation standards (i.e., differentiated instruction). View Minnesota Statutes Section 122A.09 ( Key Warning Signs for Early-Onset Mental Illness in Children and Adolescents Effective for renewal of professional licenses which expire on June 30, 2005, and after, applicants must also include in their professional development activities which provide an understanding of key warning signs for early-onset mental illness in children and adolescents. View Minnesota Statutes Section 122A.09, 122A.18 amended by Special Session, Chapter 9, Article 2, Section 7 ( Reading Preparation Effective for renewal of professional licenses which expire on June 30, 2004, and after, applicants must also include in their professional development activities which evidence further reading preparation, consistent with Minnesota Statutes Section 122A.06, Subdivision 4. View Minnesota Statutes Section 122A.06, Subdivision 4 ( View Minnesota Statutes Section 122A.09, Subdivision 4 ( Note: the following licensure fields are exempt from evidencing the reading preparation renewal requirement: school counselors, school psychologists, school nurses, school social workers, audiovisual directors and coordinators, recreation personnel. Teachers must have in-service preparation in scientifically based reading instruction, which the law identifies as: instruction and practice in phonemic awareness, phonics and other word-recognition skills, and guided oral reading for beginning readers, as well as extensive silent reading, vocabulary instruction, instruction in comprehension, and instruction that fosters understanding and higher-order thinking for readers of all ages and proficiency levels. View Minnesota Statutes Section 122A.06, Subdivision 4 ( Professional development activities that will meet this requirement include: workshops, conferences and on-site staff development and/or university courses that reflect comprehensive, scientifically based research in reading instruction, and which may include one or more of the following: Instruction and practice in phonemic awareness Phonics and other word-recognition skills 5 Guided oral reading for beginning readers Vocabulary instruction Instruction in fostering understanding and higher-order thinking for readers of all ages and proficiency levels Reading in the content areas Specific reading strategies to impact comprehension Current research and best practices in reading research and instruction The amount of reading clock hours required of teachers will vary depending upon the teaching assignment. Reading instruction is a responsibility shared by all teachers regardless of level or content. However, the need may be greater for classroom and content area teachers who use a vast amount of text in their instructional delivery. Legislation intentionally provides latitude in this matter to allow local decision-making. District-level collaboration in deciding the needs and goals of district employees in the area of reading instruction may include input from administration and staff, as well as input from reading specialists at the state and local level. Districts are charged with determining the requirements which will best support quality reading instructional practices and successfully impact student reading achievement within their district. Technology Effective for renewal of professional licenses that expire on June 30, 2012, and any renewals processed after June 30, 2012 (including lapsed licenses with an earlier expiration date), applicants must also include in their 125 clock hours instruction or other professional development activities that integrate technology effectively with student learning to increase engagement and student achievement. Note: Licensed school personnel who do not provide direct instruction to students, including, at least, counselors, school psychologists, school nurses, and school social workers are exempt from this requirement. Reflective Statement of Professional Accomplishment and Assessment of Professional Growth White Bear Lake Area Schools Revised October, 2014 Page 21

22 Beginning July 1, 2012, all individuals who were employed as a teacher during any part of the five-year period immediately preceding the license renewal must include evidence of work that demonstrates professional reflection and growth in best teaching practices. The applicant must include a reflective statement of professional accomplishment and the applicant's own assessment of professional growth in their license renewal materials. View Minnesota Statutes Section 122A.18, Subdivision 4b ( Who must meet this requirement? Full-time classroom teachers 6 Long-term substitute teachers, who have taught more than 15 consecutive days in a teaching assignment during any part of the five-year period. Who is exempt from meeting this requirement: Classroom teachers who have not taught for any portion of the five-year renewal period immediately preceding license renewal. Licensed school administrators, including principals, who have not taught for any portion of the five-year renewal period immediately preceding license renewal. Licensed related services personnel (school social workers, school psychologists, counselors, speech-language pathologists, school nurses). A written statement prepared by the teacher that demonstrates reflection on his or her professional accomplishment and includes a self-assessment of his or her professional growth using one of the following types of evidence: Support for student learning Use of best practices techniques and their applications to student learning Collaborative work with colleagues that includes examples of collegiality (i.e., attested-to committee work, collaborative staff development programs, professional learning community work) Continual professional development (i.e., job-embedded or other ongoing formal professional learning, including coursework) Note: Other similar professional development efforts may be used by teachers who were employed for only a portion of the five-year renewal period immediately preceding the license renewal (i.e., substitute teachers or teachers who taught for only one of the five years in the renewal period). How will the requirement be evaluated? The relicensure committee is not expected to evaluate the merits of the reflective statement or self-assessment. The committee must verify that a reflective statement has been submitted and that the statement meets the statutory language as described above. A teacher may submit additional materials (ie: bulleted lists of experiences or certificates of completion) as supplementary, but there must be a written narrative submitted to the committee. There is no minimum or maximum length for the reflective statement as long as the statutory requirements are met. National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification. Alternative continuing relicensure options for teachers who are accepted into and complete the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification process, and offer additional continuing relicensure options for teachers who earn National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification. Continuing relicensure requirements for teachers who do not maintain National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification are those the board prescribes, consistent with this section. 7 Can clock hours be assigned for meeting the reflective practice requirement? Yes. On November 13, 2009, the Board of Teaching authorized a resolution that will allow teachers to earn up to five clock hours per renewal period for meeting the reflective practice requirement. (See Appendix A.) Note: Local committees may continue to award additional clock hours for related activities that exceed the statutory requirement. How is job-embedded professional development defined? White Bear Lake Area Schools Revised October, 2014 Page 22

23 The law specifies four ways that teachers can meet this requirement: 1. Support for student learning, 2. Use of best practices techniques and their applications to student learning, 3. Collaborative work with colleagues that includes examples of collegiality such as attested-to committee work, collaborative staff development programs and professional learning community work, or 4. Continual professional development that may include: (i) job-embedded or other ongoing formal professional learning, or (ii) for teachers employed for only part of the renewal period of their expiring license, other similar professional development efforts made during the relicensure period. In collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Education s School Improvement Division, the Board of Teaching would like to provide the guidance found on page two for the interpretation of job-embedded professional development. Please feel free to share this guidance with your colleagues. Guidance: Job-Embedded Professional Development Job-embedded [professional] development requires that most of an educator s professional learning occurs during the workday in the work place, is designed to support team learning and is offered and available to educators. Jobembedded means the learning occurs during the workday and has a direct link to the goals set for students by the team and the school. (Hirsch and Killion, The Learning Educator, 2007). Teacher learning during the educator s work day allows access to necessary resources including materials, curriculum experts and knowledgeable assistance. Teacher learning in a job-embedded professional development model has the following characteristics: 1. Alignment with the district and school education improvement plans, staff development plans and site SMART goals for student achievement. 2. Use of the internal capacity of the district that does not rely primarily on outside experts to impart knowledge and skills. 3. Delivery in a learning team format with collaborative teams having regular dedicated time (meetings weekly or every other week) within the teacher work day. 4. Learning teams working interdependently to improve instruction in order to achieve common goals aligned to increasing student achievement. 5. Teacher learning experiences focused on using scientifically research-based strategies that translate directly to classroom instruction. 6. A formal team structure that includes having a purpose (goal), outcomes for meetings (action plans, agendas and minutes) and a focus on classroom instruction to improve student achievement (selecting instructional strategies, planning lessons and reflecting on practice). 7. Effective use of professional development activities within learning teams, which include analyzing student data, learning new instructional strategies, developing lessons, designing common assessments and analyzing student work to assess student learning. 9 White Bear Lake Area Schools Revised October, 2014 Page 23

24 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING TEACHING LICENSE RENEWAL In addition to the general requirements for renewal listed above, below are some commonly asked questions. How do I renew a one-year standard teaching license? 1. Check your renewal conditions to verify you are ready to renew. 2. Complete an online application and submit the processing fee. 3. Submit official verification (official transcripts and score results) that you have completed any required coursework or tests as indicated in the renewal conditions on your license. How do I renew a substitute or limited license? 1. Complete an online application and submit the processing fee. 2. Print out and submit a Limited Short-Call Substitute District Verification form that has been completed, signed, and dated by both the applicant and the requesting district s superintendent or designated charter school administrator. A link to download the verification form will be provided on the document checklist at the end of your online application. 3. Provide evidence of compliance with the specific renewal conditions stated on the expiring license. Original transcripts must be submitted in a college/university sealed envelope. Minnesota teacher examination score reports must be submitted electronically to [email protected] when indicated as a renewal condition. Limited licenses are issued for one school year, or a portion of a school year from the date of application to the nearest June 30. However, it is valid to teach summer school in the year of expiration.) How do I renew a five-year teaching or related professional service license? As soon as you receive your first five-year license, you should become affiliated with a Minnesota continuing education committee. Clock hours will be required even if you do not teach in Minnesota during the life of the license or if you are not living in Minnesota. You should affiliate with the committee in the district in which you are teaching. If you are not currently teaching, you may affiliate with the committee in the Minnesota district in which you last taught or currently reside. Minnesota Rule defines the specific clock hour requirements for the renewal of all professional licenses. In summary, 125 approved clock hours are required for the renewal of a teaching license. (Additionally, statute requires specific content to be included, see below.) Clock hours must be earned in the five-year period preceding the renewal application and be from two or more of the categories identified in the rule. See subpart 3 of the rule for specific categories. View Minnesota Rule ( 10 White Bear Lake Area Schools Revised October, 2014 Page 24

25 Professional development activities count toward clock hour requirements at the rate of one clock hour per one hour of actual participation in planned professional development activity. College coursework counts toward clock hours. One quarter credit equals 16 clock hours and one semester credit equals 24 clock hour credits. Clock hours earned during a renewal period are transferable from one school district to another. Teachers holding a continuing license living outside of the State of Minnesota who have never taught in the state should contact Educator Licensing Division for renewal information. What if my license has lapsed? If your five-year teaching or related services professional license has lapsed, you have the following options: Obtain a five-year short call substitute license, valid to teach no more than 15 consecutive days in a single classroom assignment. When submitting the renewal application, please deselect your licensure fields and select the five-year short-call substitute option. Provide evidence that you have completed 125 clock hours of approved continuing education earned during the fiveyear period immediately preceding the application. Your local Minnesota continuing education committee must verify your clock hours. Contact your school district office for information concerning the relicensure committee. An application should be completed only after the clock hours have been reported by your committee. If you have not been employed by a Minnesota school district in the past year, you can submit official transcripts verifying completion of eight (8) semester or twelve (12) quarter credits in education or related to the teaching field earned in the five-year period immediately preceding the application. You are also responsible for any mandatory requirements in effect at the time of renewal. An extension for the balance of the school year may be issued if you provide evidence that you have been offered a position in Minnesota contingent upon holding a valid license. At the end of the extended licensure period, you must meet renewal requirements for the continuing license. This option is available only once during your teaching career. Is there a penalty if my license expires? There is no penalty if your license has expired. However, anyone who substitutes or has a teaching or related services position in a Minnesota elementary or secondary public school must hold a valid Minnesota teaching license. ADMINISTRATIVE LICENSE RENEWAL A five-year administrative license will be granted to applicants who verify one year of administrative experience while holding a valid two-year administrative license. Five-year administrative licenses expire on June 30 of the year of expiration. Applications for renewal may be submitted any time after January 1 of the year of expiration. To renew a five-year administrative license, you must submit to the designated district administrator completion certificates totaling 125 clock hours of administrative and supervisory continuing education that have been preapproved by the Minnesota Board of School Administrators. These hours must have been earned during the five-year period immediately preceding the renewal of the license. Administrative Clock Hours "Clock hours" means hours of actual instruction or supervised group activities in a pre-approved Minnesota administrative and supervisory continuing education program. With the exception of relevant coursework completed at accredited colleges and universities, the Minnesota Board of School Administrators must pre-approve all administrative continuing education activities. One-quarter college credit equals 15 clock hours and one semester college credit equals 20 clock hours. Renewal requirements must be met during the five-year period of each continuing license and no clock hours will carry forward into any subsequent five-year licensure period. If you have questions regarding the pre-approval of an administrative continuing education activity, you may contact the Board directly by calling 651/ or by ing the Board s Executive Director, Stan Mack at [email protected]. Administrative licenses are issued by the Educator Licensing office, but the Minnesota Board of School Administrative has responsibility for granting administrative waivers, complaints against licensed administrators, college/university program approval and the pre-approval of administrative continuing education. White Bear Lake Area Schools Revised October, 2014 Page 25

26 If your continuing license has lapsed and you have not been employed as an administrator or supervisor during the year immediately preceding the application for renewal, you have the following options: Provide evidence that you have completed 125 clock hours of pre-approved administrative and supervisory continuing education earned during the five-year period immediately preceding your application for renewal. If you have not been employed by a Minnesota school district in the past years, you can submit an official transcript verifying college/university credits (1 quarter credit equals 15 clock hours and 1 semester credit equals 20 clock hours) in the five-year period immediately preceding the application for renewal. An extension for the balance of the school year may be issued if you provide evidence that you have been offered a position in Minnesota contingent upon holding a valid license. At the end of the extended licensure period, you must meet renewal requirements for the continuing license. There is no penalty if your license has expired. However, anyone who serves in an administrative position in a Minnesota elementary, middle or secondary public school must hold a valid Minnesota administrative license. 12 EXCEPTIONS TO THE 125 CLOCK HOUR REQUIREMENT Clock Hour Exception for National Board Certification The National Board of Professional Standards Certification (NBPS) has been approved by the Minnesota Board of Teaching as a substitute for the 125 clock hours required for the license renewal. If the NBPS certification expires during the five-year renewal period, the local committee will prorate hours completed at 25 hours per year and require completion of a prorated number of hours for the years the certificate is not in effect. Applications with NBPS Certification must also provide verification to the local continuing education committee of meeting all applicable mandatory requirements. Clock Hour Exemption for School Psychologists The National Certification of School Psychologists (NCSP) Certification has been approved by the Minnesota Board of Teaching as a substitute for the 125 clock hours required for license renewal. If the NCSP certification expires during the five-year renewal period, the local committee will prorate hours completed at 25 hours per year and require completion of a prorated number of hours for the years the certificate is not in effect. School psychologists must also provide verification to the local continuing education committee of meeting all applicable mandatory requirements including positive behavior strategies; accommodation, modification and adaptations to meet the needs of varied students; and understanding the warning signs of early onset mental illness. School psychologists are exempt from meeting the reading preparation, technology and reflective statement of professional accomplishment and assessment of professional growth requirements. Clock Hour Exemption for Speech-Language Pathologists The American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) Certification has been approved by the Minnesota Board of Teaching as a substitute for the 125 clock hours required for renewal. If the ASHA certification expires during the fiveyear renewal period, the local committee will prorate hours completed hours completed at 25 hours per year and require completion of a prorated number of hours for the years the certificate is not in effect. Speech-Language Pathologists must also provide verification to the local continuing education committee of meeting all applicable mandatory requirements with the exception of the reflective statement of professional accomplishment and assessment of professional growth. White Bear Lake Area Schools Revised October, 2014 Page 26