Connect with us! @IOWABOEE Business Name Inside this issue: From the Director 2 Attorney Update 2 Starting the School Year 3 Temporary Permits 3 Starting with a Substitute 3 Renewals 4 Coaches 4 BoEE Quarterly Newsletter August 2014 Activities Directors 4 Update Your Information The BoEE website has many convenient features including a new FAQ page and the ability to update your contact information. Please take a moment now to visit our website and update your contact information. Go to www.boee.iowa.gov and click “update my information” in the left column. The “Search for a license” tool is helpful to see your license type and expiration date. The FAQ page replaces the old BoEE handbook and has the most current and relevant information for educators in a user-friendly format. www.boee.iowa.gov Contact Us 5 Many educators have exciting new assignments for the start of the new year. These educators are sometimes surprised to find out that they may be working outside of their endorsement areas. Administrators should report assignments accurately to the Department of Education through the annual BEDS reporting system. Sometimes an error message will occur, which is a signal that the educator may not be properly licensed for the assignment. This is a great opportunity to call the BoEE to talk about conditional licensure—we are here to help! Conditional licensure normally falls into two categories, Class B and Administrative Decisions. Both applications are $85 and will require an administrator signature. If submitted after Sept. 1, a late fee of $25 per month will be required. Class B: If the teacher has half of the credits needed for an endorsement in a shortage area or two-thirds of the credits needed in a non-shortage area, they are eligible for a two-year Class B license. Administrative Decisions: If a teacher does not have the credits necessary for a Class B license, they can apply for the Administrative Decision License. Additionally, the administrator must show that the district performed due diligence in trying to hire a fully endorsed teacher for the position. It is highly unusual to issue an administrative decision license in a non-shortage area. Applications for both licenses are found on our website under “licensure forms/ applications—apply for a new license”. Conditional Licensure
Transcript
Connect with us!
@IOWABOEE
Business Name
Inside this issue:
From the Director 2
Attorney Update 2
Starting the School Year 3
Temporary Permits 3
Starting with a Substitute 3
Renewals 4
Coaches 4
BoEE
Quarterly
Newsletter
August 2014
Activities Directors 4
Update Your Information
The BoEE website has many
convenient features including a
new FAQ page and the ability to
update your contact information.
Please take a moment now to visit our website and update your contact information. Go to www.boee.iowa.gov and click “update my information” in the
left column.
The “Search for a license” tool is
helpful to see your license type
and expiration date.
The FAQ page replaces the old
BoEE handbook and has the most
current and relevant information
for educators in a user-friendly
format. www.boee.iowa.gov Contact Us 5
Many educators have exciting new assignments for the start of the new year. These educators are sometimes surprised to find out that they may be working outside of their endorsement areas.
Administrators should report assignments accurately to the Department of Education through the annual BEDS reporting system. Sometimes an error message will occur, which is a signal that the educator may not be properly licensed for the assignment. This is a great opportunity to call the BoEE to talk about conditional licensure—we are here to help!
Conditional licensure normally falls into two categories, Class B and Administrative Decisions. Both applications are $85 and will require an administrator signature. If submitted after Sept. 1, a late fee of $25 per month will be required.
Class B: If the teacher has half of the credits needed for an endorsement in a shortage area or two-thirds of the credits needed in a non-shortage area, they are eligible for a two-year Class B license.
Administrative Decisions: If a teacher does not have the credits necessary for a Class B license, they can apply for the Administrative Decision License. Additionally, the administrator must show that the district performed due diligence in trying to hire a fully endorsed teacher for the position. It is highly unusual to issue an administrative decision license in a non-shortage area.
Applications for both licenses are found on our website under “licensure forms/applications—apply for a new license”.
Standard VII of the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics requires licensees to comply with financial obligations to state and local governments, student loan obligations, child
support obligations, and board orders. Under Chapter 272D of the Iowa Code, the Iowa Department of Revenue is empowered to direct the Board of Educational Examiners to suspend a practitioner’s license if that practitioner has outstanding debts with the Department. It is important to be aware of this possibility, as this practice has become more common over the last couple of years. If a person who holds a BoEE license owes a significant amount of money to the Department of Revenue, the Department sends the BoEE a Certificate of Noncompliance for the licensee in question. Our office then notifies the licensee, and following notice the licensee has sixty days to contact the Department of Revenue to make arrangements to pay the debt or at least create a workable payment plan. If the licensee does not make any contact with the Department of Revenue within sixty days, the license is immediately and indefinitely suspended. Once notified of this suspension, the licensee could be subject to additional sanctions for working while under suspension. To avoid this very unpleasant situation, be sure to (1) keep your address updated on the BoEE website so you receive all important mailings, (2) carefully review any mail you receive from our office, and (3) immediately contact the Department of Revenue if you receive notice of a Certificate of Noncompliance. As always, if you have any questions regarding the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics, feel free to contact me at 515.242.6506 or [email protected].
Attorney Update: Darcy Lane
From the Executive Director: Duane Magee
The National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) has convened a task force to create a Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE). You may read the press release from NASDTEC at this link: http://bit.ly/1tNV8eQ. Craig Menozzi, S.E. Polk Superintendent, is representing Iowa as one of two superintendents serving on the task force. The MCEE task force’s efforts are an important step in the ongoing effort to define ethics within the PK-12 education environment. I want to thank Craig for participating in this work and representing Iowa. The MCEE task force plans to submit a formal recommendation to NASDTEC within the next year, I will make sure to pass along the task force’s recommendation. Thank you to everyone who has made the first year of TeachIowa.gov such a success. The legislature included an appropriation in the DE’s FY15 budget to cover the cost of the Teach Iowa system for consortium members. Public school districts, AEAs, the DE, and participating nonpublic schools will be able to use the Teach Iowa system for free! Marietta Rives, DE consultant, and Kelly Hart, DE secretary, are the people to contact at the DE if you have questions about the Teach Iowa system. A few friendly reminders from the BoEE staff:
Please make sure to check your BoEE credential(s) for expiration dates on all of your licenses, endorsements, certificates, and authorizations.
Take a few minutes to read the BoEE Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics (http://www.boee.iowa.gov/doc/ethHndot.pdf)
Contact a BoEE consultant if you have any questions or concerns about whether or not your current BoEE credentials allow you to perform the work you have been assigned this school year.
The best way to communicate with BoEE staff is via email. BoEE email addresses may be accessed at this link: (http://www.boee.iowa.gov/contacts.html).
If you need to speak to a BoEE consultant, dial her/his direct number or call the main BoEE phone number and ask to speak to the first available consultant. BoEE phone numbers may be accessed at this link: (http://www.boee.iowa.gov/contacts.html).
Have a great school year! Yours in service, D.T. Magee
For Hiring Administrators: How can I verify if a teacher may begin teaching? Check if the person holds an Iowa teaching license by searching the BoEE website: (www.boee.iowa.gov) – click “Search for a license”.
If our site shows that the person has a current teaching license, the person may begin working for you in the endorsement areas listed.
What if there is no teaching license listed but the candidate has a folder number?
A folder number only means that part of the application has been submitted.
If there is no teaching license, the person may not begin teaching.
Additional information is needed before the license will be issued (they may have an application in process). If a candidate is waiting on Praxis II scores, they may not begin teaching as their application is incomplete.
How can I verify this information?
You may contact the BoEE by phone or email. There is a “Contact Us” link on our home page.
We will look to see what information has been submitted. If all materials have been submitted (including passing test scores for new graduates) and the BoEE is just waiting for the FBI background check clearance, you may request a temporary permit for this individual.
With a temporary permit, the person may begin teaching.
Temporary permits may be issued to candidates who have approved applications* and are only waiting for the background check to clear in order to issue the license. The district must request these no sooner than five days before the start of the assignment. Send the following information to a BoEE consultant:
applicant’s name/folder number
date needed
district
contact information for the
administrator making the request
*Temporary permits cannot be issued for candidates who are waiting on passing test scores for the required Iowa assessments.
Starting the School Year
Temporary Permits
Starting the School Year with
a Substitute Teacher
Starting with a Substitute Teacher The BoEE has received questions regarding starting the school year with substitute teachers. If a district cannot find a teacher who is properly licensed for an open position, a substitute should not be used. Districts should instead find licensed candidates willing to pursue the necessary coursework and apply for conditional licensure. Districts may not use a substitute teacher to temporarily cover a position while a recent graduate waits to pass the required assessments for licensure. School districts may only start the year with a substitute teacher under the following conditions:
A substitute may fill in for a regularly licensed and contracted teacher who is on extended leave but will be returning.
A substitute may fill an unusual last-minute resignation or last-minute new section until the position can be filled. A diligent search will need to be conducted immediately.
Activities directors at accredited schools and school districts must be licensed by the BoEE as a teacher or administrator. Although activities directors do not have to possess a current and valid evaluator endorsement or license, the DE and BoEE both believe that using licensed evaluators to evaluate athletic coaches and activity sponsors is best practice. Beginning with the 2013 Fall BEDS report, each accredited school and school
district is being asked to report who is serving as an activities director. If your
school or district did not report this information in 2013, please make sure to do so
on the 2014 Fall BEDS Report.
Initial license: none – you need to gain successful teaching experience to convert to a standard. Credits earned during the initial license cannot be used for future renewals. Standard license: six Master educator: four All need the mandatory reporter certificate for child and dependent adult abuse. This is not a renewal credit. Renewal credits can be any combination of AEA licensure renewal credits or college credits from regionally accredited institutions. Credits should be taken during the term of the currently valid license or be no more than five years old.
All coaches, even volunteers, need to have either a coaching endorsement or a coaching authorization before they can begin working as a coach. Currently licensed teachers are eligible for the coaching endorsement by taking the required courses for college credit. They are also eligible for a Class B license for coaching while they complete the coursework. Non-licensed individuals who desire to become a coach will need to fully complete the coaching authorization coursework first before applying. For non-licensed educators, a clear background check is the most common reason that the licensing process gets delayed for a coach. If a last-minute potential coach (whether paid or volunteer) is interested in a coaching authorization, the person needs to order the background check packet from the BoEE website as soon as possible and complete and return the materials. The second item that delays the process is the verification of the required coursework. Transcripts and certificates of completion of the coursework are not licenses. The candidate must fully complete the application process before working as a coach. Licenses are public record and are available through a search on the BoEE website. Athletic directors should check the website to determine if the person is cleared to coach. Current holders of the coaching authorization should follow the instructions on the renewal form to ensure they have completed the requirements for renewal, including concussion training.
How many credits does it take to renew a teaching license?
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Volume 1, Issue 1
Grimes State Office Building 400 E. 14
th ST.
Des Moines, IA 50319
PHONE: 515-281-3245
Members of the Board Laura A. Stevens, Chair Okoboji CSD, Teacher Richard E. Wortmann, Vice Chair Ottumwa CSD, Teacher Dan Dutcher Waukee, Public Member Brenda Garcia-Van Auken Muscatine, Public Member Dr. Brad Buck State of Iowa, Director of Educa-tion Dr. Larry D. Hill Thompson, Administrator Mary K. Overholtzer Winterset CSD, Teacher Dr. Andy R. Pattee Cedar Falls CSD, Superintendent Dr. Jay B. Prescott Des Moines, V.P. for Student Af-fairs, Grand View University Dr. Anne M. Sullivan Chief Human Resources Officer Des Moines Public Schools
Dave Wempen - Teacher Licensure for Non-Iowa College Preparation, School Business Officials, Conditional Licensure, Career and Technical Education, and General Education/Renewals
