Appendix B

How do I Renew My Certificate or License?

An Educator's Guide to Working with the LPDC Process

This information is intended to address questions you may have about local professional development committees and related certification/license renewal issues. This information comes from the LPDC resource guide (Transforming Professional Development in Ohio: A Resource Guide for Establishing Local Professional Development Committees); copies of this Guide were sent to each school building in August 1998.

What is a Local Professional Development Committee?
In 1996, Ohio's General Assembly passed Senate Bill 230, which authorized the establishment of Local Professional Development Committees (LPDCs). Such committees are to be established in every school district and chartered non-public school by September 1998. The purpose of the committees is to review the course work and other professional development activities proposed and completed by educators within the district to determine if the requirements for renewal of certificates or licenses have been met.

Why did the State change from the old system?
Today's emphasis on raising expectations for students and schools has resulted in conversation and actions which focus on higher academic standards for students, greater accountability for schools, and consequently, higher expectations for teachers.

One of the purposes for establishing LPDCs is to ensure that professional development aligns with the ongoing continuous improvement of a district and school. The ongoing professional development of educators is one element of a district Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP). An LPDC builds its work upon this plan and educators can use the CIP to help identify professional development opportunities, both within and outside of the district, which align with district goals.

What is quality professional development?
Ohio's vision for transforming professional development is based on the belief that quality professional development:

• Results in improved student learning
• Balances individual priorities with the needs of the district, school, and students.
• Extends beyond traditional course work and workshops to meaningful job-embedded activities.
• Allows educators to connect their learning to the contexts of their teaching.
• Requires educators to be responsible for their own professional development and ensure educator quality.
• Supports a clearly articulated vision for students.
• Focuses on license/certificate renewal as a by-product, not as a purpose.

Who must have renewal requirements approved by an LPDC?
If you are employed in an Ohio chartered school (public or private) and are:

• renewing four-year or eight-year standard certificate under the 1987 standards, or
• transitioning from a certificate to a five-year license, or
• renewing a five-year license

you must submit your documentation to your LPDC for approval before the application is sent to the Ohio Department of Education.

When did LPDCs begin making renewal decisions?
January 1, 1999.

What do I have to do to renewal certificate or license?
If you are working under a provisional certificate (4 yr.), professional certificate (8 yr.), or professional license (5 yr.) are scheduled to renew your certificate/license after January 1, 1999 you must work with your LPDC to complete the renewal process.

LPDCs will establish procedures for reviewing your professional development. For certificate renewal under the 1987 standards you will have the responsibility to: 1) document your professional development and maintain a record of such work, and 2) follow renewal procedures and timelines set by your LPDC. When transitioning to a license you must also develop and implement an IPDP.

What is an Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP)?
An IPDP identifies your goals for learning. The IPDP development process enables you to reflect upon your practice and to take responsibility for your continued professional development. Such an opportunity allows you to take responsibility for your own growth by creating a plan and engaging in relevant professional development. The LPDC will have a format for the IPDP to be used by educators in your district, school, or consortium and a process for the approval of such plans. You are responsible for keeping your own professional development plans and maintaining documentation that the goals and related activities outlined in the plan have been completed.

Am I required to have an IPDP?
If you are employed full time in an Ohio chartered school and are:

• exercising a grace renewal of a certificate under the 1987 standards, but are requesting LPDC approval for "equivalent activities" to meet your renewal requirements, or
• transitioning to a 5 yr. professional license, or
• renewing a 5 yr. professional license

You must submit an IPDP to your LPDC for approval and then complete your plan before your certificate or license expires.

Do I have to develop an IPDP for each certificate or license I hold?
A plan can be developed that addresses more than one area of certification/licensure. The plan must address the district goals, building goals, and student needs within the context of areas of certification/licensure, classroom teaching, and individual needs. Professional development activities can be applied to more than one of the areas of certification/licensure if the activities align with stated IPDP goals in an approved plan and the activities have taken place since the last renewal of the certificate or license to which they are being applied.

What are equivalent activities?
Through the development of IPDPs, you will have far greater flexibility in selecting the types of professional development activities that are meaningful to you. Where the previous system recognized only formal course work or workshops approved for CEUs, the new structure will allow for a far greater range of professional development activities. For example, the following activities could be incorporated into an IPDP, and could be approved by the LPDC:

• Curricular projects
• Research, action research, other forms of inquiry
• Serving as a mentor teacher or lead mentor
• Peer coaching
• Student-teacher supervision
• Professional writing/publishing
• School-community partnership initiatives
• Teacher-initiated projects
• Visitations to schools
• Preparing and giving presentations at workshops and conferences
• Reflective/analytical portfolios such as those completed for National Board Certification and the Presidential Awards in math and science
• Teacher network
• Shadowing externships

Along with the increased flexibility in the types of professional development activities that are accepted, there is also increased emphasis on the relevance of professional development activities. IPDPs must be based on your needs as well as the needs of your district, school, and students, and be approved by the LPDC. Each professional development activity that is completed must be clearly related to the area of licensure and/or classroom teaching.

Your LPDC cannot grant for equivalent activities you have participated in prior to September 1, 1998, and prior to the approval of an IPDP.

Will I still be able to use my years of experience to reduce my renewal requirements?
Experience may be counted only if you are exercising your one time renewal under the 1987 standards. Licensure does not allow credit for experience.

Will Ohio Dept. of Education CEUs earned previously still count?
Yes, if the CEUs were earned during the effective dates of the certificate to be renewed. The Dept. will continue to maintain a database of ODE CEUs earned prior to June 30, 1998.

LPDCs have authority to retroactively grant CEUs for traditional workshops and classes taken between July 1, 1998 and September 1, 1998.

Under what circumstances will an educator apply directly to the Ohio Dept. of Education rather than through an LPDC?

• If you are not currently employed or are working in an institution without an LPDC.
• If you are upgrading a certificate to a professional or a permanent under the 1987 standards.
• If you are applying for a new certificate or license, or are adding areas.
• If you are renewing substitute, temporary, or one-year vocational certificates or licenses.
   

How do I renew my ODE certificate/license if I hold a license through another professional board?
If you hold the following ODE certificates/licenses, you do not have to renew through an LPDC:

• School social workers
• School audiologists
• Speech-language pathologists
• School nurses
• Physical therapists
• Occupational therapists
• PT assistants
• OT assistants

You must maintain your licensure through your respective board and send your application directly to ODE, with a copy of your professional license, to you renew ODE certificates/licenses.