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