16 KAR 9:080. University-based alternative certification program.

16 KAR 9:080. University-based alternative certification program.

RELATES TO: KRS 161.027, 161.028(1)(k), (s), (t), 161.030(10), 161.048

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 161.027(1), 161.048(1)(d), (7)

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 161.048(1)(d) and (7) requires the Education Professional Standards Board to promulgate administrative regulations establishing the standards and procedures for a university alternative certification option for teacher and administrator certification. This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for entry and completion of the teacher and administrator university-based alternative certification options, the responsibilities of the employing school or school district, and the responsibilities of the approved college or university alternative program.

Section 1. Definitions. (1) "Alternative administrator program" means a college or university post baccalaureate administrator preparation program for an individual enrolled concurrently with employment in a local school district as an assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, guidance counselor, director of special education, director of pupil personnel, supervisor of instruction, or superintendent.

(2) "Alternative teacher program" means a college or university post baccalaureate teacher preparation program for an individual enrolled concurrently with employment as a teacher.

Section 2. University Requirements. (1) An accredited college or university seeking to offer a post baccalaureate alternative teacher or administrator program shall apply to the Education Professional Standards Board for program approval in accordance with 16 KAR 5:010.

(2)(a) In addition to the standards for program approval established in 16 KAR 5:010, the educator preparation institution seeking alternative teacher or alternative administrator program approval shall develop and publish a plan of selection and admission of candidates to the alternative program.

(b) The plan shall be filed with the Education Professional Standards Board and shall include:

1. A method to verify that an applicant has a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and the minimum grade point average required for admission to the program;

2. One (1) or more assessments to measure academic proficiency for program admission;

3. An evaluation of a candidate’s disposition for the education profession;

4. A procedure to ensure that a candidate reviews the Professional Code of Ethics for Kentucky School Certified Personnel established in 16 KAR 1:020; and

5. A copy of the declaration signed by a candidate affirming a commitment to upholding the Code of Ethics and acknowledging awareness of information required for state certification.

(3) The alternative program shall be designed to provide a candidate with the coursework and mentoring appropriate to permit a candidate to maintain employment in an eligible position and successfully complete any applicable assessments, including internship programs, within a period of:

(a) Three (3) years for those enrolled in an alternative teacher program; or

(b) Two (2) years for those enrolled in an alternative administrator program.

(4) Upon approval, the alternative teacher or administrator program unit shall:

(a) Assess a candidate’s educational background and develop a plan of coursework that shall adequately prepare the candidate for successful completion of the requirements for program completion and certification for the areas and grade ranges that correspond with the candidate’s school placement;

(b) Provide a candidate written and dated documentation of eligibility for the university alternative certification program so that the candidate may be considered for employment pursuant to KRS 160.345(2)(h);

(c) Ensure that a candidate begins course work no later than ninety (90) days from the date the eligibility notice is issued;

(d) Establish, in consultation with the administration of a candidate’s employing school, a written plan for mentoring the candidate in the employment setting;

(e) Provide, prior to a candidate’s participation in the Kentucky Teacher or Principal Internship Program, a minimum of fifteen (15) hours of observation of a candidate in practice in the employment setting utilizing university faculty and a district-based mentor teacher;

(f) Provide effective candidate mentoring by maintaining an adequate number of personnel and sufficient resources to ensure that candidates meet professional, state, and institutional standards, including successful transition to the professional certificate;

(g) Maintain regular communications with the employing school so that the institution and employing school may assist the candidate as needed and address identified areas of improvement; and

(h) Notify the Education Professional Standards Board in writing if a candidate’s employment in a covered position or enrollment in the alternative certification program permanently ceases.

Section 3. Participation in the Alternative Teacher Program. (1) Participation in the institution’s alternative teacher program shall be available only to individuals who meet the institution’s alternative program admission requirements.

(2) A candidate’s employment position shall be consistent with the area of certification being sought through the preparation program.

(3) After notice of acceptance into the alternative teacher program and subsequent notification of selection for an eligible position, a candidate shall apply for a Temporary Provisional Certificate by submitting a completed TC-TP Application for Temporary Provisional Certificate to the Education Professional Standards Board.

(4)(a) Upon verification that a candidate has met all eligibility requirements for certificate issuance, the Education Professional Standards Board shall issue a temporary provisional certificate.

(b) The temporary provisional certificate shall be:

1. Issued for a period of one (1) year;

2. Limited to the employing school district; and

3. Contingent upon the candidate’s continued enrollment in the alternative preparation program and continued employment in an eligible position that corresponds to a candidate’s certification program.

(5)(a) A candidate shall be eligible for no more than two (2) renewals of the temporary provisional certificate.

(b) Application for renewal shall be made by submitting a completed TC-TP form.

(c) The Education Professional Standards Board shall renew the temporary provisional certificate upon verification of compliance with all eligibility requirements, including continued enrollment in the alternative preparation program and employment in an eligible position.

(6) If the candidate has successfully passed the required assessments as outlined in 16 KAR 6:010, and completed the required course work, the institution shall provide written notice to the employing school district that a candidate is eligible to participate in the Kentucky Teacher Internship Program in each subject area covered by the temporary provisional certificate and in accordance with 16 KAR 7:010.

(7) Upon receipt of the written notification regarding readiness for internship, the employing school district shall submit to the Education Professional Standards Board, a Confirmation of Employment in electronic form, or hard copy if the electronic system is unavailable.

(8) A candidate who failed to successfully complete the assessments, the internship, or the required coursework during the initial issuance and two (2) renewals of the temporary certificate and who has been transitioned into an institution's traditional educator preparation program, shall be eligible for a Statement of Eligibility upon recommendation of the institution after the candidate’s completion of the preparation program and the required assessments.

(9) If a candidate fails to complete all alternative program requirements during the initial issuance and two (2) renewals of the temporary provisional certificate, the employing school district may, pursuant to 16 KAR 2:010, 2:120, and 2:180, submit an application for emergency or conditional certification on behalf of the former employee to allow the individual to continue employment.

Section 4. Participation in the Alternative Administrator Program. (1) Participation in the university alternative administrator program shall be available only to individuals who meet the institution’s alternative program admission requirements.

(2) The employment position shall be consistent with the area of certification being sought through the preparation program.

(3) After notice of acceptance into the alternative administrator program and subsequent notification of selection for an eligible position, a candidate shall apply for a temporary provisional certificate by submitting a completed TC-TP Application for Temporary Provisional Certificate to the Education Professional Standards Board.

(4)(a) Upon verification that a candidate has met all eligibility requirements for certificate issuance, the Education Professional Standards Board shall issue a temporary provisional certificate.

(b) The temporary provisional certificate shall be:

1. Issued for a period of one (1) year;

2. Limited to the employing school district; and

(5)(a) A candidate shall be eligible for no more than one (1) renewal of the temporary provisional certificate.

(b) Application for renewal shall be made by submitting a completed TC-TP form.

(6)(a) If the alternative administrator candidate for principal certification has successfully passed the required assessments, as outlined in 16 KAR 6:030, and completed the required course work, the institution shall provide written notice to the district that the candidate is eligible to participate in the Kentucky Principal Internship Program in accordance with 16 KAR 7:020.

(b) Upon receipt of the written notification regarding readiness for internship, the employing school district shall submit a Confirmation of Employment in electronic form, or hard copy if the electronic system is unavailable, to the Education Professional Standards Board and shall assign individuals to the internship committee in accordance with the requirements established in KRS 161.027 and 16 KAR 7:020.

(7)(a) An alternative administrator candidate who failed to complete the assessments, the internship, or the required coursework during the initial issuance and one (1) renewal of the temporary provisional certificate and who has been transitioned into an institution's traditional preparation program, shall be eligible for an administrative certificate in the area of study upon recommendation of the institution after the candidate's completion of the preparation program and the required assessments.

(b) If the candidate was initially enrolled in the alternative program for principal, the candidate shall be eligible for a Statement of Eligibility upon recommendation of the institution after the candidate's completion of the preparation program and the required assessments.

(8)(a) During the period of enrollment in the alternative administrator program, a candidate seeking superintendent certification and serving in a local school district as a superintendent or assistant superintendent shall successfully complete both the coursework in the institution’s alternative administrator program as well as the Superintendent Training Program and assessments required in KRS 156.111.

(b) The college or university faculty shall maintain contact with the employing school district and the Kentucky Department of Education regarding the completion of coursework to ensure that a superintendent candidate has completed the required coursework to prepare for the assessments and participation in the Superintendent’s Training Program.

Section 5.(1) Upon completion of the alternative program, the assessments, and the internship or Superintendent’s Training Program as applicable, the university shall provide a recommendation for the professional certificate on the candidate’s TC-1 form.

(2) Upon verification that a candidate has met all eligibility requirements for certificate issuance, the Education Professional Standards Board shall issue a professional certificate.

Section 6. Incorporation by Reference. (1) The following material is incorporated by reference:

(a) "Application for Temporary Provisional Certification" Form TC-TP, May 2007;

(b) "Teacher Internship Statement of Eligibility-Confirmation of Employment as a Teacher", November 2004; and

(c) "Principal Internship Statement of Eligibility-Confirmation of Employment ad Principal/Assistant Principal in an Accredited Kentucky School", May 2005.

(2) This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Education Professional Standards Board, 100 Airport Road, Third Floor, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (33 Ky.R. 3567; 34 Ky.R. 10; eff. 7-19-2007.)