Early Childhood Ed cert talk

1. Early Childhood Ed cert talk Nov 1, 2011, 6:30 p.m. 166 Wohlers

2. COTE introduction • Oversee all things related to certification • Past – Things like CBC and Bloodborne Pathogen training • Here tonight to talk about process of 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 (Ex: C or better) • Other state certification will likely hinge on Illinois certification first

3. Applying for certification: • Log onto your student portal • Example: ed-blutarsky (Bluto) • Click on “Certification Application” • Will ask if your are registered for or previously done student teaching. • If you answer no, it will not let you proceed. If yes, it will continue. • Click on “Click here to fill out your application request.” • Email address-Recommend you use your most reliable-regular email account.

4. Phone number • Degree period • Major • Certificate • Endorsements • Comments: Provide important information regarding endorsements such as pending transfer coursework, tests, etc. • Notes Regarding endorsements: • May choose as many as you wish to be considered for (but please use some common sense)

5. You will all be endorsed in Early Childhood Education (Pre K –grade 3 self contained) • All qualify for Early Childhood Special Education Approval (Pre K) • If you want to teach Special Education K-3, will need to meet requirements for Learning Behavior Specialist I endorsement (6 additional courses-available only to grad students) • Only a very limited number of additional endorsements (fewer still which are available to undergrads) • The most common additional endorsement is foreign language (18 hours of same foreign language). • Signature (must “sign” stating you understand) • Must submit • Once you sign, you can’t go back. Contact us

6. The next day, you should receive an email which says the COTE has received your application. • Can submit application even if you haven’t yet passed all tests (just need to be registered for student teaching). • 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 you respond.

7. Nothing missing? Will put application in pending file until end of spring or summer term • Endorsements? Will send Endorsement email It should have the ECSE approval. Contact us if something is inaccurate or missing. • End of final semester processing. • EFE hours (at least 80). (Should check Student portal for accuracy) • Student Teaching Time Report • Be accurate and fairly descriptive. This is only record we will have of your Student teaching (directions on student portal).

8. Safety Training • Approved portfolio • Departmental Recommendation • Should come automatically from Jay Mann if you meet all responsibilities • Tests • Content test: Early Childhood Education (107) • Assessment of Professional Teaching: Birth to Grade 3 (101) • Grades • Degree (must appear on transcripts!!!) • Spring graduates – June 18, 2012 • Summer grads – Sept 10, 2012 – Obviously may pose problems for fall employment. “Claiming” your certificate • We will contact you at email address you provided.

9. Will provide a link to the Educator Certification System (ECS) (www.isbe.net/ecs) • Click on this link. • If you haven’t already done so, create a “private certification account” • Click on “You have an entitlement certificate waiting for your application.” • Click on “Apply online” • Follow steps. • Be prepared to pay by credit card • Be sure to register your certificate with a district.

10. Paper copy of certificate will arrive in mail • Any school district with your name and SSN can verify certification • TESTING (more information) • Two required tests: • Early Childhood Education (107) • May 2012 Grads do NOT have to take/pass before student teaching. • Assessment of Professional Teaching: Birth to Grades 3 (101)

11. Test dates (May Grads) February 11, 2012 (Recommended) • Allows Fall back date if you don’t pass • Provides context for answering questions for APT. • May take content test and APT on same day for convenience and save $$$ • (On Jan 7th date only the APT is offered). • Be sure you request test scores be sent to Illinois • Be sure your SSN is accurate (errors may delay certification). Can check your tests on Student portal. • Keep test scores forever (or longer)- May need them • Odds and Ends (important trivia) • Initial Type 04 certificate • If you don’t need certificate right away, may choose to hold off until July 1st to claim. But don’t forget!!!! • Valid for 4 fiscal years. Must renew every 4 years until you receive standard-then it’s 5 years

12. Renewing your certificate. Important! The window off opportunity for renewing is getting smaller-don’t let your certificate lapse. • Can renew online through ECS • Certification in other states • Likely will require certification in Illinois first • Other states may have program verification form. • Send form to COTE to fill out. • Contact information is on our website under “Resources” in www.cote.illinois.edu • If you ask us how to get certified in another state, we’ll likely only refer you to this link or to contact the respective states.

13. Summary • Location: 505 E. Green Street, Suite 202 • Upstairs from PNC Bank and Coldstone Creamery • Website: www.cote.illinois.edu • Email • (jbuck@illinois.edu or bmclvngr@illinois.edu • Pick one of us. • Include UIN • Urgent timely matters? Don’t use email. • No appointments by email. Call office.

14. COTE websitewww.cote.illinois.edu Requirements & Procedures • Certification Timeline Resources • Educator Certification System (ECS) • Illinois Certification Testing System (ICTS) • Other Certification Tests (for certification in other states) • Take Us To School – Resources for student teachers • U.S. Teacher Certification Offices Links • Illinois Education Job Bank Student Portal