Elementary Ed cert talk
Nov 4, 2010, 7 p.m.
213 Greg Hall
– COTE
• Oversee all things related to certification
– Past – Things like CBC and Bloodborne Pathogen training
• Here tonight to talk about actually getting certified.
• Obtain certification as soon as you can!!!!regardless of other plans (grad school, peace
corp, etc).
– Only protected against program changes for 1 year
– Not protected at all against ISBE changes
– Other state certification will likely hinge on Illinois
certification first
• Applying for certification
– Non citizens? (Provide ISBE Form 73-03C form,
etc).
– Read instructions on orange sheet carefully
– Retain instructions for referral later.
• Citizens
Instructions and forms also found in Student portal under
“Certification Application Instructions”
– Read purple cover sheet
• Explains basic process from A – Z
• Keep as reference form for later.
Entitlement Request form
• Name – Must use name that appears on BANNER
– Name change? Change in BANNER then contact us!
• Address
– Where you will be during your last semester
• Email. Important! Print legibly.
– Your preference
– May use Illinois account
– Check regularly. Keep cleaned out.
Request for endorsement form (handout)
– Will all be endorsed in Elementary Ed (self
contained)
• Additional endorsements?
– High School(front), Middle Grade (5-8) & Elementary (K-4) (on
back)
– All middle school endorsements require MG coursework.
» If you wish to delay certification until after courses are
complete next summer, contact me!!!!
– If you have been pursuing or want an endorsement, check it
off. No penalty for asking.
• Course categories for endorsements and job
applications (white handout)
– Help you identify which courses count toward
different endorsements
– Many job applications will ask how many hours
you have in different areas. This form will help.
• Make copy of entitlement request form
• Turn in form as early as December (for May
grads) (- or May for August Grads)
• May turn in application even if you haven’t yet
passed all tests.
• After turning in app, go to www.isbe.net/ecs
(step 2 on purple form). Create ECS account.
– Stop! Go no further until we contact you.
• I will complete an audit based on DARS report
or grad audit completed earlier.
– Problems? Will either contact you or records
officer. If contacted, it’s important so respond.
• No problems? Will put application in pending
file waiting for things to be completed.
• Endorsements? Will send Endorsement letter
to address you put on form. Contact us if
something is inaccurate or missing.
– Won’t get letter if you aren’t getting
endorsements
• End of final semester processing.
– EFE hours (at least 80). (should check Student
portal for accuracy)
– Student teaching Time Report
• Be accurate and fairly specific. Only record we will have
of your Student teaching.
– Departmental Recommendation
• Should come automatically from Jack or Jean if you meet all
responsibilities
– Tests (Elementary/Middlegrade and APT: k-9) at
minimum
– Grades
– Degree
• Recommending you to ISBE
– Should occur sometime around Middle of June
– Early releases. Find out what school needs, then
contact us.
• Citizens
– We will contact you by email at address you provided
• Go on www.isbe.net/ecs and claim certificate (Step 3 on
purple sheet)
• Be sure to register certificate with a ROE
• Paper copy of certificate will arrive in mail
• Any school district with your SSN can verify certification
• Non Citizens
– Will sign and stamp form
• Mail it back to you along with Notice of Intent to
become a U.S. citizen.
– Bring application, Immigration forms, Notice of
Intent and fee to ROE and apply there.
• TESTING
– Two required tests:
• Elementary Education
• APT: K-9
• “Highly Qualified” in foreign language or certain other
endorsements (most do not require test!)
• Test dates (see handout)
– May Graduates
• February 12, 2011 (Recommended)
– Allows Fall back
– Provides context for answering questions for APT.
• (January 8, 2011– Only APT is offered on this date).
– Be sure you send test scores to Illinois
– Be sure your SSN is accurate (errors may delay
certification).
– Keep test scores forever.
• Odds and Ends (important trivia)
– Initial Type 3 certificate
• Good for 4 fiscal years. Must renew every 4 years until you
receive standard-then it’s 5 years
• If you don’t need certificate, May choose to hold off until July 1st
to claim. But don’t forget!!!!
• Other states
– Likely will require certification in Illinois first
– May begin process of applying now.
– Other states may have program verification form.
• Send to us to fill out. May include when you turn in
application.
– Contact information is on our website under
“Resources”
• Website handout (blue)
– Educator Certification System
– Illinois Certification Testing System
– Take us to school (resources, lesson plans)
– U.S. Teacher Certification Offices
Highly qualified
• By virtue of passing Elementary/Middlegrade test You
will be Highly Qualified for:
– Language Arts & Reading, English, Math, Science, Arts,
History, Geography, Economics, and Civics & Government.
• Should distinguish between “HQ” and endorsementsCan be Highly qualified but not endorsed and vice
versa.
– Foreign Language. Should take ICTS content test if you want
to be highly qualified.
• Summary
– Location: 505 E. Green Street, Suite 202
• Upstairs from National City Bank and Coldstone
• Contact information on purple (or orange) instruction
form and endorsement request form
• Email
– Include UIN
– Urgent matters? Don’t use email.
– No appointments by email. Call office.