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Teacher Certificate Information
Renewal Requirements for Certificates Issued After 1998
Your certificate has considerable information regarding your license to teach. You are encouraged to review the certificate carefully and report any errors by calling the Office of Human Resources at 410-313-6813.
For the following certificates:
- Acceptable credit is defined as approved credit that is post baccalaureate coursework taken at a regionally accredited college/university or through Maryland State Department of Education credit (HCPSS CPD credit), related to a school assignment, earned within 5 years immediately preceding the date on which the certificate is issued, and earned in reading courses listed under "Reading Requirements" (under each of the certificates below) if the individual has not yet completed them.
- Individuals seeking renewal of certificates in specialist, administrator, or supervisor areas who do not have an (S) on their certificates, must complete an introduction to special education course or a course in the inclusion of special needs population for renewal of their certificates.
- The exception to the 36 semester hour APC is for trades and industry teachers who must complete a planned program of 34 semester hours of which a maximum of 6 Maryland State Department of Education Continuing Professional Development credits may be applied. Trades and Industry teachers are required to develop their programs in consultation with their building principals and the local director of career and technology education.
- Teachers seeking renewal of certificates in visually impaired education are required to have at least one course, continuing education unit, or professional development activity indicating maintenance of Braille proficiency as part of, or in addition to, the regular renewal requirements for educators.
Standard Professional-I (SP-I) Certificate
You must complete all of the following by the end of the valid period (3 years) of this certificate. This will qualify you for the Standard Professional-II (SP-II) certificate.
1. Six semester hours of acceptable credit.
2. As part of, or in addition to the 6 semester hours of acceptable credit, 6 semester hours of the reading requirements must be met, if applicable.
3. Three years of satisfactory professional school-related experience (annual satisfactory evaluations), 2 years of which must be consecutive.
4. An approved Professional Development Plan designed to satisfy the reading (if applicable) and Advanced Professional Certificate coursework (see SP-II #3 below) requirements.
A 3-year SP-I certificate may be requested only once for an employee (1) whose service was interrupted during the validity period of the SP-I certificate preventing the employee from meeting the experience requirement, and (2) who has met all other renewal requirements. One Provisional certificate may be issued for an employee who fails to meet the experience requirement due to one unsatisfactory evaluation.
Reading Requirements
Required reading coursework is determined by certification area, not the age/grade level of placement. In other words, Art, ESOL, Health, Music, Physical Education, and Educational Media/Library Media are N-12/K-12 areas (including the old Special Education K-12). For example, an individual with a certificate in Art K-6 would be required to take 6 semester hours of reading coursework.
Individuals Certified in Early Childhood Education (N-Grade 3), Elementary Education (Grades 1-6 and Middle School), and Generic Special Education (Birth-Grade 3 and Grades 1-8)
Effective Jan. 1, 1999, teachers seeking renewal of certificates in early childhood education, elementary education, and special education (birth-grade 3 and grades 1-8) are required to have 12 semester hours in reading. If more than 6 semester hours of reading coursework is still needed, the teacher must submit 6 semester hours taken within the first renewal period and the remaining semester hours during the second renewal period. Teachers needing 6 semester hours of reading or less will have one renewal period to submit the requirement.
Twelve semester hours in the following content are required for early childhood education, elementary education, and special education teachers at those levels:
1. Processes and Acquisition of Reading - Explains the process of language development, including the impact of phonemic awareness, and how the brain responds to reading acquisition.
2. Instruction of Reading - Shows teachers how to use a balanced program of phonics, semantics, and syntactics in teaching reading.
3. Materials for Teaching Reading - Exposes teachers to a variety of texts to be used in their classes and explains strategies for selecting and evaluating materials.
4. Assessment for Reading Instruction - Shows teachers how to use state, local, and classroom reading assessment data to make ongoing instructional modifications.
The Maryland State Board of Education adopted the PRAXIS II assessment "Reading Across the Curriculum: Elementary" (test code #0201) as a means of allowing teachers to test out of reading course requirements that were adopted by the Board in 1998. The reading test is based on the International Reading Association standards and Maryland's reading course content. The test consists of 60 multiple choice questions and three constructed response questions. Teachers who take the test will have to achieve a score of 173 to qualify and will be able to substitute the PRAXIS II test for the four reading courses (a total of 12 semester hours).
Additional information on test dates and how to register for the "Reading Across the Curriculum: Elementary" test may be obtained from ETS at (609) 771-7395 or e-mail: praxis@ets.org
Individuals Certified in Secondary Education, N-12/K-12 Education, Generic Special Education (Grades 6-12), and Educational Media/Library Media
Effective January 1, 1999, teachers seeking renewal of certificates in secondary education, N-12/ K-12 education, and special education (grades 6-12) will have one renewal period to submit the reading coursework. Effective 1/1/02, individuals seeking renewal of certificates in Educational Media or Library Media will have one renewal period to submit the reading coursework.
Six semester hours in the following content are required for secondary education, N-12/K-12 education, special education teachers at those levels, and Educational Media/Library Media:
1. Methods of Teaching Reading in the Secondary Content Area, Part I - Outlines the essentials of the reading process. Introduces teachers to the purposes of reading; methods of assessing student reading; cognitive strategies in reading; methods of incorporating reading through student-centered instruction; and motivations for reading.
2. Methods of Teaching Reading in the Secondary Content Area, Part II - Expands on Part I, enabling teachers to apply theories, strategies, and practices in daily classroom instruction.
Changes are still being made in the PRAXIS II reading assessment to make it appropriate for the reading instruction that occurs in the secondary subject matter areas. Once the test is adopted, it will allow secondary teachers to test out of reading course requirements (a total of 6 semester hours) that were adopted by the Board in 1998. The reading test is based on the International Reading Association standards and Maryland's reading course content. The test consists of 60 multiple choice questions and three constructed response questions.
Information on the secondary reading assessment will be disseminated to you as soon as it is made available.
Standard Professional-II (SP-II) Certificate
You must complete the following by the end of the valid period (7 years) of this certificate. This will qualify you for the Advanced Professional Certificate (APC). As soon as you have met all of the following requirements, it is your responsibility to contact Human Resources so that an APC can be issued or face the possibility of needing additional credits.
1.
Six semester hours of acceptable credit.
2.
As part of, or in addition to the 6 semester hours of acceptable credit, 6 semester hours of the reading requirements must be met, if applicable.
3.
All of the coursework in your Professional Development Plan (PDP). If a PDP is not on file because this is your first certificate under the new requirements, you must develop a PDP. You may include all courses completed for previous certification renewals as long as the complete plan meets the reading requirements (if applicable) AND the APC coursework requirements: a master's degree in a certification area directly related to public school education, including 6 semester hours related to your current assignment OR 36 semester hours of post-baccalaureate coursework directly related to public school education, including a minimum of 21 graduate credits and a minimum of 6 semester hours related to your current assignment.
4.
Four years of satisfactory professional school-related experience (annual satisfactory evaluations), 2 years of which must be consecutive, completed within 7 years prior to the issuance of the APC.
A three-year Extended Standard Professional-II (ESP-II) certificate may be requested for a holder of a SP-II who was unable to meet the experience requirement because of an interruption in service. To qualify, the certificate holder must have (1) completed the education requirements for the APC (including 6 semester hours of the reading requirements, if applicable), and (2) earned 6 semester hours of acceptable credit.
Reading Requirements
Required reading coursework is determined by certification area, not the age/grade level of placement. In other words, Art, ESOL, Health, Music, Physical Education, and Educational Media/Library Media are N-12/K-12 areas (including the old Special Education K-12). For example, an individual with a certificate in Art K-6 would be required to take 6 semester hours of reading coursework.
Individuals Certified in Early Childhood Education (N-Grade 3), Elementary Education (Grades 1-6 and Middle School), and Generic Special Education (Birth-Grade 3 and Grades 1-8)
Effective Jan. 1, 1999, teachers seeking renewal of certificates in early childhood education, elementary education, and special education (birth-grade 3 and grades 1-8) are required to have 12 semester hours in reading. If more than 6 semester hours of reading coursework is still needed, the teacher must submit 6 semester hours taken within the first renewal period and the remaining semester hours during the second renewal period. Teachers needing 6 semester hours of reading or less will have one renewal period to submit the requirement.
Twelve semester hours in the following content are required for early childhood education, elementary education, and special education teachers at those levels:
1. Processes and Acquisition of Reading - Explains the process of language development, including the impact of phonemic awareness, and how the brain responds to reading acquisition.
2. Instruction of Reading - Shows teachers how to use a balanced program of phonics, semantics, and syntactics in teaching reading.
3. Materials for Teaching Reading - Exposes teachers to a variety of texts to be used in their classes and explains strategies for selecting and evaluating materials.
4. Assessment for Reading Instruction - Shows teachers how to use state, local, and classroom reading assessment data to make ongoing instructional modifications.
The Maryland State Board of Education adopted the PRAXIS II assessment "Reading Across the Curriculum: Elementary" (test code #0201) as a means of allowing teachers to test out of reading course requirements that were adopted by the Board in 1998. The reading test is based on the International Reading Association standards and Maryland's reading course content. The test consists of 60 multiple choice questions and three constructed response questions. Teachers who take the test will have to achieve a score of 173 to qualify and will be able to substitute the PRAXIS II test for the four reading courses (a total of 12 semester hours). The test will be offered by Educational Testing Service (ETS) starting with the September 22, 2001 test date.
Additional information on test dates and how to register for the "Reading Across the Curriculum: Elementary" test may be obtained from ETS at (609) 771-7395 or praxis@ets.org.
Individuals Certified in Secondary Education, N-12/K-12 Education, Generic Special Education (Grades 6-12), and Educational Media/Library Media
Effective Jan. 1, 1999, teachers seeking renewal of certificates in secondary education, N-12/ K-12 education, and special education (grades 6-12) will have one renewal period to submit the reading coursework. Effective 1/1/02, individuals seeking renewal of certificates in Educational Media or Library Media will have one renewal period to submit the reading coursework.
Six semester hours in the following content are required for secondary education, N-12/K-12 education, special education teachers at those levels, and Educational Media/Library Media:
1.
Methods of Teaching Reading in the Secondary Content Area, Part I - Outlines the essentials of the reading process. Introduces teachers to the purposes of reading; methods of assessing student reading; cognitive strategies in reading; methods of incorporating reading through student-centered instruction; and motivations for reading.
2.
Methods of Teaching Reading in the Secondary Content Area, Part II - Expands on Part I, enabling teachers to apply theories, strategies, and practices in daily classroom instruction.
Changes are still being made in the PRAXIS II reading assessment to make it appropriate for the reading instruction that occurs in the secondary subject matter areas. Once the test is adopted, it will allow secondary teachers to test out of reading course requirements (a total of 6 semester hours) that were adopted by the Board in 1998. The reading test is based on the International Reading Association standards and Maryland's reading course content. The test consists of 60 multiple choice questions and three constructed response questions.
Advanced Processional Certificate (APC)
You must complete the following by the end of the valid period (five years) of this certificate. This will qualify you for another five-year APC.
1.
Six semester hours of acceptable credit or the equivalent. Equivalent means any combination of Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits on the Option List in the latest HCPSS Professional Development Catalog.
2.
As part of, or in addition to the 6 semester hours of acceptable credit, 6 semester hours of the reading requirements must be met, if applicable.
3.
Three years of satisfactory professional school-related experience (annual satisfactory evaluations) during the validity period of the APC.
4.
A Professional Development Plan (PDP) for the subsequent APC.
Reading Requirements
Required reading coursework is determined by certification area, not the age/grade level of placement. In other words, Art, ESOL, Health, Music, Physical Education, and Educational Media/Library Media are N-12/K-12 areas (including the old Special Education K-12). For example, an individual with a certificate in Art K-6 would be required to take 6 semester hours of reading coursework.
Individuals Certified in Early Childhood Education (N-Grade 3), Elementary Education
(Grades 1-6 and Middle School), and Generic Special Education (Birth-Grade 3 and Grades 1-8)
Effective Jan. 1, 1999, teachers seeking renewal of certificates in early childhood education, elementary education, and special education (birth-grade 3 and grades 1-8) are required to have 12 semester hours in reading. If more than 6 semester hours of reading coursework is still needed, the teacher must submit 6 semester hours taken within the first renewal period and the remaining semester hours during the second renewal period. Teachers needing 6 semester hours of reading or less will have one renewal period to submit the requirement.
Twelve semester hours in the following content are required for early childhood education, elementary education, and special education teachers at those levels:
1. Processes and Acquisition of Reading - Explains the process of language development, including the impact of phonemic awareness, and how the brain responds to reading acquisition.
2. Instruction of Reading - Shows teachers how to use a balanced program of phonics, semantics, and syntactics in teaching reading.
3. Materials for Teaching Reading - Exposes teachers to a variety of texts to be used in their classes and explains strategies for selecting and evaluating materials.
4. Assessment for Reading Instruction - Shows teachers how to use state, local, and classroom reading assessment data to make ongoing instructional modifications.
The Maryland State Board of Education adopted the PRAXIS II assessment "Reading Across the Curriculum: Elementary" (test code #0201) as a means of allowing teachers to test out of reading course requirements that were adopted by the Board in 1998. The reading test is based on the International Reading Association standards and Maryland's reading course content. The test consists of 60 multiple choice questions and three constructed response questions. Teachers who take the test will have to achieve a score of 173 to qualify and will be able to substitute the PRAXIS II test for the four reading courses (a total of 12 semester hours). The test will be offered by Educational Testing Service (ETS) starting with the September 22, 2001 test date.
Additional information on test dates and how to register for the "Reading Across the Curriculum: Elementary" test may be obtained from ETS at 609-771-7395 or praxis@ets.org.
Individuals Certified in Secondary Education, N-12/K-12 Education, Generic Special Education (Grades 6-12), and Educational Media/Library Media
Effective Jan. 1, 1999, teachers seeking renewal of certificates in secondary education, N-12/ K-12 education, and special education (grades 6-12), will have one renewal period to submit the reading coursework. Effective 1/1/02, individuals seeking renewal of certificates in Educational Media or Library Media will have one renewal period to submit the reading coursework.
Six semester hours in the following content are required for secondary education, N-12/K-12 education, special education teachers at those levels, and Educational Media/Library Media:
1.
Methods of Teaching Reading in the Secondary Content Area, Part I - Outlines the essentials of the reading process. Introduces teachers to the purposes of reading; methods of assessing student reading; cognitive strategies in reading; methods of incorporating reading through student-centered instruction; and motivations for reading.
2.
Methods of Teaching Reading in the Secondary Content Area, Part II - Expands on Part I, enabling teachers to apply theories, strategies, and practices in daily classroom instruction.
Changes are still being made in the PRAXIS II reading assessment to make it appropriate for the reading instruction that occurs in the secondary subject matter areas. Once the test is adopted, it will allow secondary teachers to test out of reading course requirements (a total of 6 semester hours) that were adopted by the Board in 1998. The reading test is based on the International Reading Association standards and Maryland's reading course content. The test consists of 60 multiple choice questions and three constructed response questions.
Reading Teacher or Reading Specialist
If you hold a certificate with an endorsement as "Reading Teacher" or "Reading Specialist," you have satisfied the State's reading requirements.
Certificate Key:
R = Methods of Teaching Reading course completed
S = Introduction to Special Education or Inclusion of Special Needs Populations course completed
R# = The number of semester hours completed toward the Reading requirements
Senior Teacher Waiver
Except for the reading requirements, the Superintendent has authorized the "senior teacher" waiver for the APC renewal requirements. "Senior teacher" means a certificate holder with 25 years of experience or 55 years or older by the end of the APC valid period. If you qualify for the "senior teacher" waiver (Human Resources can verify this), complete the top portion of the Professional Development Plan (PDP) and write across the form "SENIOR TEACHER WAIVER." You and your evaluator should sign the form and send the white copy to Human Resources.
Senior teacher waiver only applies when you are employed with a local school system that invokes it. Therefore, if you retire before the expiration of your certificate, you must meet all certification renewal requirements.
Keep Your Certificate in a Safe Place
Keep all documents pertaining to certification in one file in a very safe, but convenient, place (e.g., your certificate, this information document, CPD forms, grade reports, transcripts, etc).
Please refer to this file if you have certification questions or have it with you if you need to call Human Resources.
Termination of Employment
If you terminate employment with the Howard County Public School System before your certificate expires, you should retrieve official transcripts, grade reports, and CPD forms from your Howard County Public School System certification file for renewal of your certificate.
Coursework Documentation for Certificate Renewal
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Course
When you complete a CPD course, the Staff Development Center will forward a 3-part form to Human Resources:
- Pink copy -
HR will send to you and is your file copy
- Yellow copy -
HR retains in your HCPSS certification file
- White copy -
HR will forward to the Maryland State Department of Education upon certificate renewal and will become a part of your official State certification file
College/University Course
For all required coursework, official grade reports or transcripts must be on file in Human Resources.
- If you request tuition reimbursement for a course, the official grade report or transcript that you submitted will be placed in your HCPSS certification file. Upon certificate renewal, it will be forwarded to the Maryland State Department of Education and will become a part of your official State certification file.
- If you do not request tuition reimbursement for a course, submit an official grade report or transcript to HR to be placed in your HCPSS certification file. Upon certificate renewal, it will be forwarded to the Maryland State Department of Education and will become a part of your official State certification file.
Questions
For more information contact Marianne Livesay at 410-313-6813 or marianne_livesay@hcpss.org or Lois Witte at lois_witte@hcpss.org. |
