Elementary Education certification talk Nov 8th, 6:30 p.m. 101 Armory

– 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

Apply for certification 2 Phase process: – Applying with the Council on Teacher Education (on your student portal) – Claiming your certificate on the Educator Certification System (ECS)

Applying for certification with COTE: 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, You should not proceed. – Click on “Click here to fill out your application request.” address-Recommend you use your most reliable-regular account.

Phone number Degree period Major Certificate Endorsements – May choose as many as you wish to be considered for (but please use some common sense) – You will all be endorsed in Elementary Education (K-9)(self-contained) – Whole list of middle grade endorsements available (all require middle grade courses)

– Comments Allows you to convey information that application would not otherwise allow. – Example: “I am taking a course at Parkland (SPAN 207) to complete the requirements for the Spanish endorsement ” or I’m taking the target language proficiency test in Spanish for the Bilingual endorsment.”

Signature (must “sign” stating you understand) Must submit – Once you sign, you can’t go back. Contact us for changes/corrections

The next day, you should receive an 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.

Nothing missing? Will put application in pending file until end of spring or summer term Endorsements? Will send Endorsement . 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).

– Safety Training – Approved portfolio – Departmental Recommendation Should come automatically from Jay Mann if you meet all responsibilities – Tests – Content test: Elementary/Middle Grades (110) – Before student teaching (state law) – Assessment of Professional Teaching: K-9 (102) – Before certification – Grades – Degree (must appear on transcripts!!!) – Spring graduates – June, 2013 – Summer grads – September 2013 – Obviously may pose problems for fall employment.

Claiming your certificate with ISBE We will contact you at address you provided. We will provide a link to the Educator Certification System (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. Paper copy of certificate will arrive in mail Any school district with your name and SSN can verify certification

Test information (continued) 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 for out for grad school or Out-of-State certification.

Renewing your certificate. Important! The window off opportunity for renewing is getting smaller-don’t let your certificate lapse. – Can renew online through ECS

Changes Effective June 1, 2013 “Certificate” is going to change to a “Professional Educator License” “Types” (example: type 03, 04, 10) will go away “Initial” “Standard” and “National Board Certified” are also “going away” Endorsements will still appear on the license The Assessment of Professional Teaching is going to be offered as a non grade specific test – Can still use or take (K-12) version (102) – New version is will be a computer-based only.

License “validity”will change from 4 fiscal years to 5 fiscal years. – Be sure to renew your license or it will become “lapsed.”

“Highly Qualified” A federal No Child Left Behind definition Highly Qualified in: The core academic subjects in grades K-8: Science, Arts, Reading, English/language arts, History, Civics and Government, Economics, Geography, and Mathematics).

How are you Highly Qualified? – By passing the ICTS content test in Elementary/Middle Grades (110) Must still be endorsed if you plan to teach in a departmentalized setting. Goal should be to be both “highly qualified” and endorsed. More on Highly Qualified on the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section of the COTE website (

Certification in other states – Likely will require Licensure in Illinois first – Other states may have program verification form. Send form to COTE to fill out. – “U.S. Teacher Certification Offices” under “Links” in If you ask us how to get certified in another state, we’ll likely only refer you to this link for information on contacting the respective states. – Certification Map (also under “Links”) Talks about out-of-state certification Addresses “reciprocity”

Summary – Location: 505 E. Green Street, Suite 202 Upstairs from PNC Bank and Coldstone Creamery Website: or – Pick one of us. – Include UIN – Urgent timely matters? Don’t use . – No appointments scheduled by . Call office.

COTE website Requirements & Procedures Certification Timeline Links 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 Illinois Education Job Bank Student Portal