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1. How does an educator accomplish his/her "one-time" renewal under the 1987 Standards as allowed by the new Teacher Education and Certification Standards?
An educator working in a school district or any other institution with a Local Professional Development Committee will work through the LPDC. The educator will submit transcripts of college course work and or CEU's for verification by the LPDC in the quantity required by the 1987 Standards. The LPDC will provide written verification that the educator has met the 1987 requirements. The educator then applies to the Ohio Department of Education for the certificate renewal.
2. How will CEU credit be awarded after June 30, 1998, when The Ohio Department of Education will no longer be approving CEU's?
Each LPDC will develop and use its own criteria for awarding CEU credit. Educators will need to request CEU credits from their LPDC.
3. Will Ohio Department of Education CEU's previously earned still count?
Yes, if the CEU's were earned during the effective date of the certificate(s) being renewed.
4. Now will an educator transition to or renew his/her license under the new 1998 Teacher Education and Licensure Standards?
As soon as the educator has applied for his/her "one-time" renewal under the 1987 Standards, he/she will begin working toward the new licensure standards. An educator working in a school district or any other institution with an LPDC will work through the LPDC. Following the procedures of the LPDC, the educator will submit an Individual Professional Development Plan for approval. Verification of final LPDC approval of the educators professional development work is required before the Ohio Department of Education will issue a renewal license.
5. Will every educator have to do an IPDP even if he/she holds a permanent certificate?
The new 1998 Standards only require that those educators who wish to fulfill the license renewal requirements must do an IPDP. This does not include educators renewing certificates for their final time under the 1987 standards or educators with permanent certificates since permanent certificates do not require renewal or conversion to licensure. Any such requirement at the local level would be a condition of employment rather than a condition of maintaining certification or licensure.
6. What are the requirements for an IPDP?
An educator in a school district or any other institution with an LPDC who wishes to renew his/her license will formulate a written plan for his/her professional development for the 5 year license period. The plan must reflect the needs of the district, school, students, and educator. The plan must be and approved in accordance with the procedures and criteria established by the LPDC.
7. If an educator moves between districts within the state will he/she have to submit a new IPDP in the new district?
It is expected that upon verification of IPDP approval by the LPDC in the previous school district (including course work, CEU's, and other equivalent activities that have been completed and accepted) the new school district will honor this work. Upon employment, the educator will need to complete an IPDP under the procedures and criteria of the new LPDC for approval of any remaining work needed before license renewal.
8. Under what circumstances will an educator apply directly to ODE rather than going through an LPDC?
- Educators wishing to upgrade a certificate under the 1987 Standards will apply directly to the Ohio Department of Education.
- New certificates/licenses or the addition of new areas (endorsements) will also be handled directly by ODE.
- Educators who are not currently employed or who are working in an institution without an LPDC will apply directly to the Department. This means their only option to meet professional development requirements will be ODE approved CEU's (taken through June 30, 1998) and/or college course work.
- Substitutes working under a substitute's certificate need to apply directly to the Department. Substitutes with regular certificates/licenses may apply directly to the Department or they may get permission from an LPDC in one of the school districts in which they work, to go through the LPDC process.
9. How does conversion from certification to licensure affect eligibility for tenure?
Teachers converting from a provisional certificate to a license will receive a five-year professional license. The requirements for tenure are specified in law and will remain the same:
- The teacher must hold a professional, permanent, or life certificate or license.
- The teacher must either hold a masters degree or have completed 30 semester hours of course work.
- The teacher must have taught at least three years of the last five in the district.
Since the course work/masters degree requirement is in law, teachers will need to continue to meet that requirement to be eligible for a continuing contract.
10. How will ODE assure that all educators are treated fairly?
Committees will be required to follow state law, state standards, and additional guidelines they may have set for themselves. They will not be permitted to deviate from these policies on an arbitrary or case-by-case basis. If any educator feels he/she has been treated unfairly, an appeal process will be available for that individual.
11. What about teachers who move to a state with reciprocity?
The same interstate agreement will continue to hold. Teachers will be able to transfer their license or certificate to another state within the same parameters that currently exist. When it comes time for them to renew their credential from the other state, they will need to meet that state's renewal requirements.
12. How is an LPDC established?
An LPDC is established in accordance with the regulations in Ohio Revised Code 3319.22. Once established, the LPDC will work with the other educators in the district to develop a Plan of Operation. Care should be taken to spend adequate time at the beginning discussing the vision and purpose of the LPDC before settling on procedures, criteria, and forms. Since each school district is unique, each Plan of Operation will vary to fit the unique needs of the school district and the educators in the district.
13. How will LPDC's be funded?
School districts began receiving Local Professional Development Block Grants money in 1996. In the new biennium (1997-99) a portion of these monies will be earmarked to cover the expenses related to operating the LPDCs.
14. If a school district with an exclusive bargaining unit joins a consortium, does the consortium LPDC fall under the rules for districts with no collective bargaining units?
No, the consortium will need to follow the guidelines for districts with collective bargaining units.
15. If a consortium includes different bargaining agents (e.g. an OEA local an independent (unaffiliated) local and/or an OFT local), which one is the exclusive bargaining agent?
All of the various locals would need to work together to jointly and individually undertake the responsibilities outlined for the bargaining unit.
16. What are the requirements for educators to serve on an LPDC?
Ohio Revised Code 3319.22 specifies that an LPDC must have at least 5 members. If a collective bargaining agreement doesn't specify otherwise, the Board of Education establishes the exact number, but at least a majority of the members must be teachers. For the purpose of LPDCs, a teacher is someone who is working under a teaching certificate and employed under a teaching contract. If there is no exclusive representative. the teacher members are elected in accordance with 3319.22. If there is a bargaining agent, the exclusive representative (teachers association or union) selects the teacher members in accordance with their own procedures.
