Policy for Recommending Educator Certification Based on Proficiency Evaluation

Candidates Seeking Initial Certification:

1. Candidate Inquiry - The candidate will submit an inquiry for the Proficiency Evaluation program. 

• Proficiency Evaluation Inquiry Form for Initial Certification (This applies to a candidate who does NOT already hold a teaching certificate.)

2. Admission Application - After an initial review of the inquiry form (step 1), the candidate will receive notification to submit the following documents and complete the requirements listed below. 

• Submit a non-refundable $500 payment, made payable to WKU, in the form of a money order or cashier’s check. Submit the payment to this address: WKU, Office of Professional Educator Services, 1906 College Heights Blvd. #61031 Bowling Green, KY 42104. After the review of evidence, if the candidate is required to complete any coursework, then the candidate will receive a $100 scholarship toward course tuition fees.
• Make application to the Graduate School: https://acsapps.wku.edu/pls/prod/bwskalog.P_DispLoginNon?app_level=GR&qtype=GR 
• Initial Certification candidates will be required to pass the Praxis II Content exam(s) prior to submitting a digital portfolio for committee review.
• Passing scores for the PRAXIS II examination(s) for the desired certification area and Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exam (if applicable) are required prior to being recommended for certification to the Educational Professional Standards Board (EPSB). 
• The site to view and register for the applicable Praxis II Content exam(s) and Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT)  through ETS: https://www.ets.org/praxis/ky/requirements/. At the time of registering to take the exam, be sure WKU and EPSB are selected to receive scores.
• The site to view and register for the applicable Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) Praxis exam through ETS: https://www.ets.org/praxis/ky/requirements/. (Special Education Learning and Behavior Disorders and Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education certifications do not require this exam.). At the time of registering to take the exam, be sure WKU and EPSB are selected to receive scores.
• Complete two background checks: Verified Credentials and KY Central Registry 
• Complete a physical examination and TB screening using the KY Department of Education form:KDE Physical form 
• Review and sign the Professional Code of Ethics for KY School Certified Personnel: Code of Ethics document 
• The above three items (signed Code of Ethics, physical/TB form, and letters of recommendation) should be submitted, at the same time, in one email sent to: teacher.certification@wku.edu. 
• The candidate will then begin the digital portfolio collection and submission (see Step 3). 

3. Digital Portfolio Evidence Submission - The candidate will construct an electronic portfolio using a format such as Google Sites or another platform. The portfolio must be well organized and professional, documenting mastery of all the Kentucky Teacher Performance Standards (KTPS) including subcomponents. Each subcomponent needs 2-4 pieces of strong evidence showing how the candidate has clearly demonstrated each indicator. Additional evidence of content specific standards may also be required. 

*Candidates seeking Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education certification should use Kentucky’s Infant and Early Childhood Standards.

*Candidates seeking Special Education in Learning Behavior Disorder certification should use the Initial Special Education Preparation Standards.

*Candidates seeking TESOL certification should use the TESOL Standards/Domains.

The portfolio artifacts to support the candidate’s case for licensure should include:

1. Three lesson plans including all accompanying materials (technologies used for instruction, task assignments, rubrics, etc.)
2. Three examples of student work with feedback provided by the candidate 
3. Three videos of the candidate teaching in the content area being requested for certification
4. Reflections from lessons taught 
5. Two writing assignments which will assess the candidate’s critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills (directions for these two writing assignments).” This would just add another letter to the list of items in their portfolio.
6. Submit three letters of recommendation which demonstrate the candidate’s dispositions for teaching including creativity, collaboration, and communication skills.
7. Verification of teaching and work experience, including performance evaluations (if applicable)
8. Other documentation showing mastery of the KTPS standards that may be included (professional development, coursework, etc.)
9. Evidence of the Literacy requirements for middle school, high school, grades 5-12, and/or grades P-12 teachers. The candidate must demonstrate the ability to meet theInternational Literacy Association Standards for Preparation of Literacy Professionals. 
10. Additional documentation may be requested at the committee’s discretion for clarification.  
11. The burden is on the  candidate to explain how the artifacts and evidence demonstrate mastery of the standards.  It is not up to the committee to try and make those connections.  This is why the candidate needs to include a narrative to explain how the evidence is connected to and is illustrative of mastery of each standard.

4. Committee Review of all Evidence and Admission Decision - The committee will review all portfolio evidence to determine a decision regarding proficiency. The committee will have provided a recommendation to the Director of School of Teacher Education following the Proficiency Evaluation Window Review Deadlines. Portfolios submitted prior to October 1st will be reviewed and a recommendation by December 15. Portfolios submitted by March 1 will be reviewed and a recommendation by May 15. Portfolios submitted by June 1 will be reviewed and a recommendation by August 1.

• The candidate submits the portfolio to teacher.certification@wku.edu. 
• The Director of the School of Teacher Education will form the committee and appoint a chairperson to review all portfolio evidence. The committee may also interview the candidate as part of the decision making process. The interview may be held electronically or via phone. 
• After reviewing all evidence submitted in the digital portfolio, the committee will recommend to admit or not admit the candidate to the proficiency evaluation program, using the Committee Review Decision form. 
• Those candidates who are not recommended for admission into the proficiency evaluation program will be referred to seek admission to the appropriate traditional route program. See School of Teacher Education programs at https://www.wku.edu/ste/becomeateacher/index.php. 
• For those candidates who are admitted into the proficiency evaluation program, an Educator Learning Plan (ELP) outlining all necessary requirements for program completion will be created and sent to the candidate for acceptance. 
• The ELP is submitted to the Director of School of Teacher Education for approval.
• The ELP will have a minimum three hours listed for the required practicum class. Additional coursework or fieldwork may be requested by the committee based on deficiency areas found through the portfolio review. These courses will be included in the ELP and must be completed at WKU.
• The candidate will have up to two years to complete the ELP requirements. The Praxis II exam(s) and PLT exam (if applicable) will also need to be completed during this two year period, if not already passed.
• Upon agreement/signature of the ELP by the candidate, the candidate will be admitted to the OELE (EPSB).
• A letter will be issued to the candidate stating the candidate is eligible for employment as a candidate in WKU’s Proficiency Evaluation program. 
• If a school district wishes to hire a candidate that has been approved to be in the Proficiency Evaluation program, the candidate may apply for a one year temporary provisional certificate. This is renewable for one additional year while the candidate fulfills all the requirements of the ELP. 
• However, the timeline for completion of the Proficiency Evaluation shall not exceed two years from the date of the ELP approval. 

5. Field/Clinical Experiences - All initial certification candidates will be required to complete a minimum of one practicum course and may or may not be required to complete additional coursework/fieldwork as defined on the ELP. 

• All initial certification candidates must complete the student teaching practicum, through this appropriate practicum course, specific to the certification being sought. 
• Special arrangements are made for those candidates who are teaching full time with a temporary provisional certificate so that they may meet the clinical program requirements in their own classroom setting. 
• WKU will secure an appropriate school for completion of clinical requirements for those candidates who are not teaching full time.

6. Program Exit and Certification - Upon successful completion of the ELP, the committee chairperson will evaluate the ELP and confirm satisfactory completion of all components  including the practicum course and clinical experience. 

• The chairperson will submit the Proficiency Evaluation Exit Form to the Office of Professional Educator Services (OPES).
• The candidate is exited from the WKU Proficiency Evaluation program and may apply for certification. 
• The candidate completes the CA-1 application and OPES uploads the Proficiency Evaluation Exit form along with the CA-1 application to OELE (EPSB) on behalf of the candidate.

Steps for Proficiency Evaluation Route to Certification for Additional Certification Candidates:

1. Candidate should successfully complete the required Praxis II Subject Assessment exam(s) required for the certification area the candidate is seeking to add to their existing licensure.

• Passing scores for the PRAXIS II examination(s) for the desired certification area is required prior to being recommended for certification to the Educational Professional Standards Board (EPSB). 
• Site to view and register for the applicable Praxis II Content exam(s) through ETS: https://www.ets.org/praxis/ky/requirements/. At the time of registering to take the exam, be sure WKU and EPSB are selected to receive scores.

2. Admission Application  The candidate will submit an inquiry form. After an initial review of the inquiry form, the candidate will receive notification to submit the following documents and complete the requirements listed below.

• Proficiency Evaluation Inquiry Form for Additional Certification(This applies to a candidate who already holds an initial teaching certificate.)
• Submit a non-refundable $250 payment, made payable to WKU, in the form of a money order or cashier’s check. Submit the payment to this address: WKU, Office of Professional Educator Services, 1906 College Heights Blvd. #61031 Bowling Green, KY 42104.
• The candidate will then submit the digital portfolio evidence. (see Step 3). 

3. Digital Portfolio Evidence Submission  The candidate will construct an electronic portfolio using a format such as Google Sites or another platform. The portfolio must be well organized and professional, documenting mastery of all the Kentucky Teacher Performance Standards (KTPS) including subcomponents. Each subcomponent needs 2-4 pieces of strong evidence showing how the candidate has clearly demonstrated each indicator. Additional evidence of content specific standards may also be required. 

*Candidates seeking Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education certification should use Kentucky’s Infant and Early Childhood Standards.

*Candidates seeking Special Education in Learning Behavior Disorder certification should use the Initial Special Education Preparation Standards.

*Candidates seeking TESOL certification should use the TESOL Standards/Domains.

*Candidates seeking Literacy Specialist certification should use pages 2-4 of the National Literacy Standards.

The portfolio artifacts to support the candidate’s case for licensure should include:

1. Three lesson plans including all accompanying materials (technologies used for instruction, task assignments, rubrics, etc.)
2. Three examples of student work with feedback provided by the candidate 
3. Three videos of the candidate teaching in the content area being requested for certification
4. Reflections from lessons taught 
5. Two writing assignments which will assess the candidate’s critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills (directions for these two writing assignments)
6. Verification of teaching and work experience, including performance evaluations 
7. Other documentation showing mastery of the KTPS standards that may be included (professional development, coursework, etc.)
8. Evidence of the Literacy requirements for middle school, high school, grades 5-12, and/or grades P-12 teachers. The candidate must demonstrate the ability to meet theInternational Literacy Association Standards for Preparation of Literacy Professionals.(if applicable to the additional certification being sought.) 
9. Include three letters of recommendation in the digital portfolio evidence.
10. Additional documentation may be requested at the committee’s discretion for clarification.  
11. The burden is on the candidate to explain how the artifacts and evidence demonstrate mastery of the standards.  It is not up to the committee to try and make those connections.  This is why the candidate needs to include a narrative to explain how the evidence is connected to and is illustrative of mastery of each standard.

4. Committee Review of all Evidence and Admission Decision - The committee will review all portfolio evidence to determine a decision regarding proficiency. The committee will have provided a recommendation to the Director of School of Teacher Education following the Proficiency Evaluation Window Review Deadlines. Portfolios submitted prior to October 1st will be reviewed and a recommendation by December 15. Portfolios submitted by March 1 will be reviewed and a recommendation by May 15. Portfolios submitted by June 1 will be reviewed and a recommendation by August 1.

• The candidate submits the portfolio to teacher.certification@wku.edu. 
• The Director of the School of Teacher Education will form the committee and appoint a chairperson to review all portfolio evidence. The committee may choose to also interview the candidate as part of the decision making process. The interview may be held electronically or via phone. 
• After reviewing all evidence submitted in the digital portfolio, the committee will recommend to admit or not admit the candidate to the proficiency evaluation program, using the Committee Review Decision form. 
• Those candidates who are not recommended for admission into the proficiency evaluation program will be referred to seek admission to the appropriate traditional route program. See School of Teacher Education programs at https://www.wku.edu/ste/becomeateacher/index.php. 
• For those candidates who have additional coursework to complete due to deficient areas in the proficiency evaluation program, an Educator Learning Plan (ELP) outlining all necessary requirements for program completion will be created and sent to the candidate for acceptance. 
• The ELP is submitted to the Director of School of Teacher Education for approval. 
• The candidate will have up to two years to complete the ELP requirements. The Praxis II exam(s) and PLT exam (if applicable) will also need to be completed during this two year period, if not already passed.
• Upon agreement/signature of the ELP by the candidate, the candidate will be admitted to the OELE (EPSB).
• A letter will be issued to the candidate stating the candidate is eligible for employment in the certification area being sought, as a candidate in WKU’s Proficiency Evaluation program. 
• If a school district wishes to hire a candidate that has been approved to be in the Proficiency Evaluation program, the candidate may apply for a one year temporary provisional certificate. This is renewable for one additional year while the candidate fulfills all the requirements of the ELP. 
• However, the timeline for completion of the Proficiency Evaluation shall not exceed two years from the date of the ELP approval. 

5. Field/Clinical Experiences All additional certification candidates may or may not be required to complete a practicum or other fieldwork as defined on the ELP.  

• For candidates seeking additional certification areas, the committee will take all previous teaching hours and clinical experiences into account. 
• If there is sufficient evidence provided in the portfolio review, then no additional fieldwork/clinical experience will be required.
• However, if the committee recommends additional fieldwork/clinical experience is needed, then it will be identified on the candidate’s ELP. 
• Special arrangements are made for those candidates who are teaching full time so that they can meet the program requirements in their own classroom setting. 
• WKU will secure an appropriate school for completion of clinical requirements for those candidates who are not teaching full time. Partnerships with local P-12 systems offering new teacher academies or induction programs may also be used to provide additional support for candidates.

6. Program Exit and Certification Upon successful completion of the ELP, the committee chairperson will evaluate the ELP and confirm satisfactory completion of all components  including the practicum course and clinical experience. 

• The chairperson will submit the Proficiency Evaluation Exit Form to the Office of Professional Educator Services (OPES).
• The candidate is exited from the WKU Proficiency Evaluation program and may apply for certification. 
• The candidate completes the CA-1 application and OPES uploads the Proficiency Evaluation Exit form along with the CA-1 application to OELE (EPSB) on behalf of the candidate. 

Candidates seeking School Administrator Certifications:

Applicants who wish to be recommended for Principal certification, Level I Supervisor of Instruction certification, Director of Pupil Personnel certification, or Superintendent certification must document the following qualifications per 16 KAR 3:050, Section 2:

Steps for Proficiency Evaluation Route to Certification forSchool Administrator Candidates:

Candidate Inquiry -The candidate will submit an inquiry form to the Proficiency Evaluation program. 

• Proficiency Evaluation Inquiry Form for Administrator Certification 

Admission Application - After an initial review of the inquiry form (step 1), the candidate will receive notification to submit the following documents and complete the requirements listed below. 

• Passing scores on the School Leader Licensure Exam is required at the time of application.

• Submit a non-refundable payment, made payable to WKU, in the form of a money order or cashier’s check. Submit the payment to this address: WKU, Office of Professional Educator Services, 1906 College Heights Blvd. #61031 Bowling Green, KY 42104.

  $250 fee for candidates seeking to add an additional administrative certificate.

  $500 fee for candidates seeking initial Principal certification. After a review of the evidence, for initial principal certification, if the candidate is required to complete any coursework, then the candidate will receive a $100 scholarship toward course tuition fees.

• Make application to the School of Leadership and Professional Studies department by emailing slps@wku.edu.
• Complete the Proficiency Evaluation Planning Sheet and submit. A faculty member designated by the department head will review and provide further feedback to the applicant regarding the construction of a portfolio demonstrating proficiency in the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders.
• You may learn more about the School Leader Licensure Exam through ETS: https://www.ets.org/sls/states/ky.  At the time of registration, be sure WKU and EPSB are selected to receive scores for the exams.
• Passing scores on the School Leader Licensure Exam is required at the time of application.
• Submit three letters of recommendation which demonstrate the candidate’s dispositions for teaching including creativity, collaboration, and communication skills. Candidates should submit letters of recommendation to: teacher.certification@wku.edu. 
• The candidate will then begin the digital portfolio collection and submission (see Step 3). 

Digital Portfolio Evidence Submission - The candidate will construct an electronic portfolio using a format such as Google Sites or another platform. The portfolio must be well organized and professional, documenting mastery of all the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL). Portfolio artifacts/evidence should show how the candidate has clearly demonstrated each standard. 

• The Department Chair will designate a faculty member to serve as an advisor to the applicant during this phase of the process. The advisor will communicate with the applicant regarding the preparation of an electronic portfolio of materials to document the extent to which the applicant has mastered the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) upon which Kentucky administrator certification is based. The portfolio may include multimedia features.
• The candidate submits the portfolio directly to the committee chairperson. 
• Please note that additional documentation may be requested at the committee’s discretion for clarification.  
• The burden is on the  candidate to explain how the artifacts and evidence demonstrate mastery of the standards.  It is not up to the committee to try and make those connections.  This is why the candidate needs to include a narrative to explain how the evidence is connected to and is illustrative of mastery of each standard.

Committee Review of all Evidence and Admission Decision - The committee will review all portfolio evidence to determine a decision regarding proficiency. The committee will have provided a recommendation to the Director of School of Teacher Education following the Proficiency Evaluation Window Review Deadlines. Portfolios submitted prior to October 1st will be reviewed and a recommendation by December 15. Portfolios submitted by March 1 will be reviewed and a recommendation by May 15. Portfolios submitted by June 1 will be reviewed and a recommendation by August 1.

• The applicant’s portfolio, transcripts, and application materials will be reviewed by the faculty committee. The committee will include at least two persons, at least one of whom will be the student’s designated advisor/chairperson. The review committee may request a meeting with the applicant to discuss the portfolio’s contents and ask further questions. If requested, at the committee’s discretion the meeting may take place electronically or via telephone.
• After reviewing all evidence submitted in the digital portfolio, the committee will recommend to admit or not admit the candidate to the proficiency evaluation program, using the Committee Review Decision form. 
• Those candidates who are not recommended for admission into the proficiency evaluation program will be referred to seek admission to the appropriate traditional route program. Candidates may view more information at https://www.wku.edu/slps/. 
• For those candidates who are admitted into the proficiency evaluation program, an Educator Learning Plan (ELP) outlining all necessary requirements for program completion will be created and sent to the candidate for acceptance. 
• The ELP is submitted to the SLPS department chair for approval. 
• The ELP may require coursework or a fieldwork component based on deficiency areas found through the portfolio review. These courses will be included in the ELP and must be completed at WKU.
• The candidate will have up to two years to complete the ELP requirements. The applicable School Leader Licensure Exam will also need to be completed during this two year period.
• Upon agreement/signature of the ELP by the candidate, the candidate will be admitted to the OELE (EPSB).
• A letter will be issued to the candidate stating the candidate is eligible for employment as a candidate in WKU’s Proficiency Evaluation program. 
• If a school district wishes to hire a candidate that has been approved to be in the Proficiency Evaluation program, the candidate may apply for a one year temporary provisional certificate. This is renewable for one additional year while the candidate fulfills all the requirements of the ELP. 
• However, the timeline for completion of the Proficiency Evaluation shall not exceed two years from the date of the ELP approval. 

Field/Clinical Experiences - Administrative candidates may or may not be required to complete a practicum or other fieldwork as defined on the ELP. 

• If any fieldwork or practicum is required, then special arrangements are made for those candidates who are teaching full time with a temporary provisional certificate so that they can meet the program requirements in their own classroom setting. 
• WKU will secure an appropriate school for completion of clinical requirements for those candidates who are not teaching full time.
• The committee will take all previous teaching hours and clinical experiences into account.The committee may choose to recommend additional observation hours, clinical experiences, or coursework with embedded practicums as part of the candidate’s ELP. 

Program Exit and Certification - Upon successful completion of the ELP, the committee chairperson will evaluate the ELP and confirm satisfactory completion of all components  including the practicum course and clinical experience. 

• The chairperson will submit the Proficiency Evaluation Exit Form to the Office of Professional Educator Services (OPES).
• The candidate is exited from the WKU Proficiency Evaluation program and may apply for certification. 
• The candidate completes the CA-1 application and OPES uploads the Proficiency Evaluation Exit form along with the CA-1 application to OELE (EPSB) on behalf of the candidate.