Certification Changes Review

Certification Changes Review Dr. Lujean Baab Director, M.Ed. Programs

Certification Changes Review This important message is for all students currently registered for and completing programs leading to either initial or additional certification in; Elementary K-6, Special Education N-12, and/or Instructional Technology Specialist K-12.

Chapter 49-2: Pennsylvania Department of Education has enacted Chapter 49-2 through which certification categories and requirements will be changing as will programs preparing students for those certifications.

Under Chapter 49-2 : certification in Special Education N-12 and Elementary K-6 will cease and new certification categories have been created. SPECIAL EDUCATION N-12 AND ELEMENTARY K-6 WILL REMAIN VALID. Special Education will move from initial or additional certification to additional certification only. It will also become two certification areas: Special Education PreK-8 and Special Education 7-12. Certifications in Elementary and Middle School will move to Early Childhood Education Pre-K to 4 and Elementary/Middle Level 4-8. In addition, specialist certifications, such as Instructional Technology Specialist will now require at least nine credits of Special Education and three credits of English as a Second Language (ESL) covering specific competencies.

For this reason, it is imperative that you have and follow your completion plan for completing all course work required for certification before Fall 2012and then conduct student teaching, practicum or internship experience no later than Fall 2012 (completed by December 2012).

All applications for certification in Elementary Education K-6, Special Education K-12 and Instructional Technology Specialist K-12 (under current program) must be received by the DeSales University Education Department no later than June 1, 2013so as to be processed and approved by PA Dept. of Education before August 2013. • After this date, no certifications will be printed by PDE for those completing programs for Elementary K-6, Special Education N-12 or Instructional Technology Specialist K-12 as it is now structured.

Courses in your current program will continue to be offered only as long as student registration supports those course offerings or they are listed in your completion plan. If you do not follow your completion plan and miss registration in a course, there is no guarantee that the course will be offered again during the time frame in which you are required to complete your program.

Time Line PPST tests (reading/writing/math)– for initial certification and Instructional Technology Specialist certification for those not holding a teaching certification taken in first nine credits and passed before applying for student teaching/practicum/internship Praxis Test – Fundamental Subjects - for initial certification in El. Ed. K-6 and Special Education, additional certification in either if it was not required for previous teaching certification (Note: not required for Inst. Tech. Specialist) – passed before applying for student teaching or practicum Praxis Test – Licensure Area – passed before applying for certification –Note change in Special Education to #0354 (previously 0353) All course work (undergraduate and graduate) - completed (or in progress for completion) when applying for student teaching/practicum/internship. NOTE: undergraduate course work completed at another institution requires prior approval of Director and official transcripts sent to M.Ed. Office.

Time Line • Course work (undergrad/grad) and all testing completed prior to Fall 2012 session • Student teaching/practicum/internship no later than Fall 2012 • Application for certification in Education Dept. office no later than June 1, 2013 • No K-6, Special Ed N-12 or Inst. Tech Specialist under current program issued after Aug. 2013.

Application Deadlines Student teaching SPRING session (January) application deadline October 1 Missing materials, undergraduate pre-requisite course and all graduate course work completed or in process and required Praxis testing deadline October 15 FALL session (Aug-Sept) application deadline March 1 Missing materials, undergraduate pre-requisite course and all graduate course work completed or in process and required Praxis testing deadline March 15

Application Deadlines Add-on Cert Practicum /Specialist Internship WINTER session (Jan-Mar) application deadline October 1 Missing materials/required Praxis testing deadline October 15 SPRING session (April-June) application deadline February 1 Missing materials/required Praxis testing deadline February 15 FALL session (Sept-Dec) application deadline March 1 Missing materials/required Praxis testing deadline March 15

Students were required to attend one session to discuss these changes and the issues surrounding them prior to registration for courses in 2011. If not attending any session, students must view video of information online. Students are also provided a letter requiring that: • information be completed, • the letter signed and then • returned to the M.Ed. office for placement in student files. A signature on the form attached to letter will indicate your understanding of the circumstances and issues discussed in this letter and in presentation as well as the consequences of not following program completion plans.

To ensure participation by all students, you will not be able to register for courses after Fall 2010 session unless attendance at a meeting is recorded or video is viewed and form is returned for your student file.

Please review the letter and then complete the information requested in the form the end of that letter. Return the information form to the M.Ed. office at the address indicated so that you will be able to register for courses and complete your program of study leading to certification.

Chapter 49-2 Information • Complete information is available from Pa. Dept. of Education website including a .pdf file for download: www.education.state.pa.us/ Search for Chapter 49-2

Form Review • Please note that all sections of this form must be completed and form returned to M.Ed. Office before the hold on registration will be lifted.

Form Review Name: ___________________________________ Student ID# ______ Program of study: _____________________________ My signature on this document indicates that I understand the information provided in the letter and at the meetings held to provide information on the changes to teaching certifications in Pennsylvania. ___ I understand this information (Please check in addition to signing below) Signature: ___________________________________ Date: ____________ CONTINUED

Form Review AND: (Please check choice that applies) __ I have attended a meeting to discuss this information on ___________ OR Date ___ I have not attended a meeting and will need to meet with my advisor (please contact the M.Ed. office at 610-282-1100 ext. 1461) AND:

Form Review ___ I have a program completion plan that I will follow so that I can be prepared to apply for certification by no later than June 1, 2013. Please note that this does not ensure that all courses will be offered up to that time and students MUST follow completion plan provided. OR ____ I do not have or did not follow my completion plan and need an advising session in order to be able to complete the course work in time for application for student teaching no later than June 1, 2013. (Please contact the M.Ed. Office at 610-282-1100 ext. 1461 for that appointment) OR ____I do not plan to complete my current certification program at DeSales University (Please contact the M.Ed. Office at 610-282-1100 ext. 1461 to request change in status for your files.)

Bring in or mail this form in hard copy to: DeSales University M.Ed. Programs 2755 Station Avenue Center Valley, PA 18034

Questions? • Lujean.baab@desales.edu • Mary.rockel@desales.edu • med@desales.edu • Phone (610) 288-1100 ext. 1461 Please note: Students are REQUIRED to use desales.edu email and should contact Help Desk at 610-282-1100 ext. 4357 to activate if not in use.

Certification Changes Review