Butler County Educational Service Center

Local Professional Development Committee

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q:        How does an educator accomplish his/her “one-time” renewal under the 1987 Standards as allowed by the new Teacher Education and Licensure Standards?

A:         An educator working in a school district or any other institution with a Local Professional Development Committee (LPDC) will work through the LPDC. The educator will submit transcripts of college course work and/or CEUs for verification by the LPDC in the quantity required by the 1987 Standards. The LPDC will provide written verification that the educator has met the 1987 requirements. The application is then forwarded to the Ohio Department of Education for the certificate renewal.

Q:      How will CEU credit be awarded after June 30, 1998, when the Ohio Department of Education will no longer be approving CEUs?     

    A:       Each LPDC will develop and use its own criteria for awarding CEU credit. Individuals will need to request CEU credits from their LPDC.

Q:      Will Ohio Department of Education CEUs previously earned still count?

    A:       Yes, if the CEUs were earned during the effective date of the certificate(s) being renewed.

Q:      How will an educator transition to renew his/her license under the new Teacher Education and Licensure Standards?         

    A:       A soon as the educator has applied for his/her “one-time’ renewal under the 1987 Standards, he/she will begin working toward the new licensure standards. An educator working in a school district or any other institution with a LPDC will work through the LPDC. Following the procedures of the LPDC, the educator will submit an Individual Professional Development Plan for approval.  Verification of final LPDC approval of the educator’s professional development work is required before the Ohio Department of Education will issue a renewal license.

Q:      Does every educator need to develop an IPDP even if he/she holds a permanent certificate?

    A:       The new 1998 Standards only require that those individuals who wish to fulfill the license renewal requirements must complete an IPDP. This does not include individuals renewing certificates for their final time under 1987 standards or individuals working under permanent certificates, since permanent certificates do not require renewal or conversion to licensure. Any such requirement at the local level would be a condition of employment rather than a condition of maintaining certification or licensure.

Q:      What are the requirements for an Individual Professional Development Plan?           

    A:       An educator in a school district or any other institution with an LPDC who wishes to renew his/her license will formulate a written plan for his/her professional development for the 5-year license period.  The plan must reflect the needs of the district, school, students, and educator.  The plan must be completed and approved in accordance with the procedures and criteria established by the LPDC.

Q:      If an educator moves between districts within the state, will he/she have to develop a new IPDP in the new district?

    A:       It is expected that upon verification of IPDP approval by the LPDC in the previous school district (including course work, CEUs, and other equivalent activities that have been accepted) the new school district will honor this work.  Upon employment, the educator will need to complete an IPDP under the procedures and criteria of the new LPDC for approval of any remaining work needed before license renewal.

Q:      Under what circumstances will an educator apply directly to the Ohio Department of Education rather than go through a LPDC?

    A:       There are some instances when it is necessary to contact the Office of Certification and Licensure directly, i.e.:

·        If you are not currently employed by a school, or are working in a setting that does not have an LPDC;

·        If you are upgrading a certificate to professional or permanent status under the 1987 standards;

·        If you are applying for a new certificate or licensure, or adding new certification areas; If you are renewing a two-year provisional or substitute or temporary certificate or licensure

Q:      How does conversion from certification to licensure affect eligibility for tenure?       

    A:       Teachers converting from a provisional certificate to a license will receive a five-year professional license. The requirements for tenure are specified in law and will remain the same:

·        The teacher must hold professional, permanent, or life certificate or license.

·        The teacher must either hold a masters degree or have completed 30 semester hours of coursework.

·        The teacher must have taught at least three years of the last five in the district.

Since the course work/master degree requirement is in law, teachers will need to continue to meet that requirement to be eligible for a continuing contract.

Q:      How will ODE assure that all Individuals are treated fairly?

A:       Committees will be required to follow state law, state standards, and additional guidelines they may have set for themselves.  They will not be permitted to deviate from these policies on an arbitrary or case-by-case basis.  If any educator feels he/she has been treated unfairly, a local appeal process will be available for that individual.

Q:      What about teachers who move to a state with reciprocity?

    A:     The same interstate agreement will continue to hold.  Teachers will be able to transfer their license or certificate to another state within the same parameters that currently exist.  When it comes time for them to renew their credential from the other state, they will need to meet that state’s renewal requirements.

Q:      How is an LPDC established?

    A:       A LPDC is established with the regulations in Ohio Revised Code 3319.22.  Once established, the LPDC members will work with the other Individuals in the district to develop a Plan of Operation. Care should be taken initially to spend adequate time discussing the vision and the purpose of the LPDC before settling on procedures, criteria, and forms. Since each school district is unique, each Plan of Operation will vary to fit the unique needs of the Individuals and the district.

Q:      How will LPDCs be funded?

    A:       School districts began receiving Local Professional Development Block Grant money in 1996. In the new biennium (1997-99) block grant funding will be extended to chartered non-public schools in addition to the school districts. A portion of these monies will be earmarked to cover the expenses related to operating the LPDCs.

Q:      If a school district with an exclusive bargaining unit joins a consortium, does the consortium LPDC fall under rules for the districts with no collective bargaining units?

    A:       No, the consortium will need to follow the guidelines for districts with collective bargaining units.

Q:      If a consortium includes different bargaining agents (e.g. an OEA local, an independent (unaffiliated) local and/or an OFT local), which one is the exclusive bargaining agent?

    A:       All of the various locals would need to work together to jointly and individually undertake the responsibilities outlined for the bargaining unit.

Q:      What are the requirements for educators to serve on an LPDC?

    A:       Ohio Revised Code 3319.22 specifies that a LPDC must have at least five members. If a collective bargaining agreement doesn’t specify otherwise, the Board of Education establishes the exact number, but at least a majority of the members must be teachers.  For the purpose of LPDCs, a teacher is someone who is working under a teaching certificate and employed under a teaching contract.  If there is no exclusive representative, the teacher members are elected in accordance with 3319.22.  If there is a bargaining agent, the exclusive representative (teachers association or union) selects the teacher members in accordance with their own procedures.