For most of our current staff members, this will not be a major issue for many years. For some it will be a matter of receiving a “license” rather than a “certificate.” For a few, it will mean a whole new process that will impact them in a year or so because they were certified after July 1, 2003. After your next renewal EVERYONE must have a Professional Development Plan on file with the district. Staff Development has been planning for this new process for many months and is working to have it in place for anyone choosing to use the new process. Of course it will be in place for those that have to use the new process now and after their next renewal.

For additional information see the “Questions and Answers for Currently Certified Teachers” below and review the information on the “Phase In Period” below. You may also want to contact the Staff Development office for information on the Professional Development Plan process or you may want to connect to the state website at http://www.ksde.org for complete information on all of the licensure changes.

PHASE IN PERIOD

91-1-207 Renewal Of Certificates Issued Before July 1, 2003

Any person renewing a valid certificate issued before July 1, 2003 renews that certificate based on the renewal requirements in effect at the time the certificate was issued. This creates a “phase-in”period for most educators. It is the first license issued to them after July 1, 2003 – under the new regulations – that is renewable under the new renewal requirements.

When individuals apply after July 1, 2003 to renew a certificate, they will be issued a document called a license. That license will have the same teaching content, administrative and/or school specialist endorsement(s) and the same level(s) that were on their existing certificate.

If they have not already done so, individuals who held a certificate AND an advanced degree prior to July 1, 2003 will be allowed to use their two “masters plus experience” renewals that were made available to those with an advanced degree under the old certification regulations. This type of renewal WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE in the new system for individuals earning their license and graduate degree after September 1, 2003.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR CURRENTLY CERTIFIED TEACHERS

I am currently certified. How does all of this affect me?

You will not be affected until you are issued a new license when you apply for your first renewal after July 1, 2003. Eventually, renewal options may change for you and the way you earn points for renewal will change. If you want to add new teaching endorsements or become a school specialist or school leader, you will be completing programs established under the new standards, and content assessments will be required.

What happens to my current five-year certificate?

The first time you renew after July 1, 2003, you will be issued a piece of paper called a license:
Same subject endorsements
Same grade levels
Same school specialist and administrative endorsements if applicable
YOUR CURRENT ENDORSEMENTS WILL NOT BE CONVERTED TO FIT NEW FIELDS! You will maintain your current levels and endorsements throughout your career unless or until you choose to add additional areas to your license.

You will renew your current certificate under requirements printed on the certificate
Remember 91-1-207 (See “Phase in Period” above) provides for a “phase-in” period before you must meet new renewal requirements.

The first license issued to you after July 1, 2003 will be renewed under new renewal requirements.

ALWAYS FOLLOW REQUIREMENTS FOR RENEWAL PRINTED ON YOUR CERTIFICATE/LICENSE.

Are renewal requirements the same?

The same total number of credits or credits/professional development points are required, based on level of degree held:

Old System – for renewal of a certificate issued prior to July 1, 2003 New System – for renewal of a certificate issued after July 1, 2003
Bachelor’s degree 8 semester credits or 4 semester credits plus 80 in-service points 160 professional development points, half (80) of which are semester credit hours
Master’s degree 6 semester credits or 120 in-service points. Any combination of credit hours/points may be used. 120 professional development points – no specific college credit required. Points may be earned through any combination of college credit and other activities.


What is different?

A professional development council must approve all professional development points – including college credit. Everyone must work through a PDC to earn professional development points.
Renewal activities must be completed during the term of the license.
Renewal can be submitted no more than six months prior to expiration.
No “Masters Plus Experience” renewals will be allowed for graduate degrees earned after July 1, 2003.
Points for renewal must be earned in content standards for your endorsement field(s) as well as in one of the following additional areas:
Professional education standards (pedagogy) or
Service to the profession
You may apply college credit without the approval of a PDC only if the credit is part of an approved licensure program for an additional endorsement area.
You may renew a professional license by completing the entire National Board Certification assessment process. If you achieve National Board Certification, you may apply for a ten-year accomplished license.

I am currently certified and earned my graduate degree prior to July 1, 2003. Do I still have the two “Master’s Plus Experience” options for renewal?

Yes, you are “grandfathered” by regulation 91-1-207. As long as you have not already used both of your “Master’s Plus Experience” options for renewal, you may still utilize this “experience only” option for future renewal(s). Remember, you must have 3 years of accredited experience during the license you are renewing to use this option.