Certification History 101

  • —Certification standards governed by the VI Board of Education (VIBE) and must followed by DOE
  • —VIBE certifies teachers in “academic” disciplines
  • —CTE Board was charged through legislation to oversee CTEC Programs and Certify Teachers in technical disciplines
  • —Passing of No Child Left Behind Act forced re-examination of certification standards to meet mandates “highly qualified” status requirements
  • —After 1992 all teachers are required to complete VI History (within 1 year of employment)
  • —After 1995-1996 school term:
    • All teachers must take and pass PRAXIS I (both elementary and secondary)
    • All teachers must pass general education courses (elementary 36 and secondary 26)
    • General Education course areas are: Foundations, Psychology, Special Education, Curriculum Methods and Student Teaching
  • —Prior to Highly Qualified requirements technical experience guided certification decisions
  • —Certification were granted for extended period of time (typically 5 yrs.)
  • —Highly qualified status included in VI Compliance Agreement
  • —Number of “highly-qualified” teachers tied to federal funding – Driving the imperative to comply

The Present – Current Requirements

  • VI History and Culture
  • Foundations of Education
  • Measurements &C Evaluation
  • Methods Curriculum and Instruction
  • Education Psychology
  • Intro to Special Education
  • Instructional Design and Technology
  • PRAXIS I- all vocational teacher applicants
  • Professional Development

The Present – Requirement Challenges

  • —Teachers in system prior to requirements – grandfathering
  • —Unavailability to access required courses in a structured and timely manner from UVI
  • —No Prep Programs to prepare for PRAXIS exams
  • —Cost of additional training to teachers
  • —Lack of specificity in Professional Development requirements
  • —Communication of new requirements to all

The Present – Response to Challenges

  • —Grandfather Requirements established for seasoned teachers
  • —Alternative State routes established by VIBE HOUSSE (based on experience and observations)
  • — PRAXIS PREP courses underwritten by DOE
  • —Mandatory courses underwritten by DOE at UVI
  • —Condensed programs approved for VI History
  • —On-line Programs Approved by VIBE and underwritten by VI DOE – DirectStep (3 courses)

The Present – More About DirectStep

  • —On-line program that is nationally recognized and approved for teacher development
  • —Format is self-paced designed to be completed in approximately 6 weeks
  • —Three core course requirements are available:
    • Curriculum & Methods, Special Education, and Education Technology
    • Approved by VIBE and underwritten by VI DOE –
    • To register, contact your HR Representative for details

The Present – CTE Board Certification

  • —Need to comply with current requirements
  • —Certification periods shortened
    • 3 yrs. for teachers who meet requirements and engaged in Professional Development
    • 2 yrs. for teachers who made progress towards requirements and/or have some professional development
    • 1 yr. provisional certification for teachers who have not made progress toward requirements or engaged in professional development

The Present – Certification; A Partnership

Teachers need to adhere to WRA basics:

  • Review files to ensure that they are current
  • Work towards attainment of core requirements
  • Access free alternatives

CTEB needs to:

  • Communicate requirements and alternatives
  • Seek additional routes to meet core requirements

Both need to:

  • Monitor certification expiration dates

The Present – Process for Recertification

  • Identify recertification due date (CTEB/Teacher)
  • Ensure file is complete with all training/courses/ degree completions and transcripts (Teacher)
  • Inform HR of certification review to access personnel file (Teacher/CTEB)
  • File reviewed by CTEB HR Committee
  • Certification recommendation made to full Board
  • Review and recommendation sent to DOE for incorporation in personnel file
  • Certificate issued and sent to DOE HR

The Future – CTE Certification Reform

  • Document and broadly communicate certification process and procedures
  • Review current requirements and make recommendations to better accommodate CTE Teachers
  • Investigate replacement of PRAXIS general exam by technical competency exam
  • Explore and seek approval of additional alternative routes to meet core requirements