sde.ct.gov Obtaining Connecticut Educator Certification : Connecticut State Department of Education

Organization : Connecticut State Department of Education
Service Name : Obtaining Connecticut Educator Certification
Country: United States of America

Website : http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2613&q=321230

Related :
USA Department of Education Michigan Online Educator Certification System : www.statusin.org/11049.html

Obtaining Connecticut Educator Certification :

Whether you are just starting out in your career in education or are a veteran educator moving to Connecticut from another state, this guide will answer some of your questions about the process and requirements for obtaining educator certification in Connecticut.

Paper applications may be submitted with a certified bank check or money order payable to “Treasurer, State of Connecticut.”

The information provided, however, is very general. To determine your specific eligibility, you must submit an application. If you are not yet eligible, your application and fee will be held for up to two years while you work to complete requirements.

Applicants For First Time Connecticut Certification:

There are two paths to eligibility for educator certification in Connecticut.

Eligibility Based On Program Preparation:
Connecticut certification is usually based on completion of a state-approved educator preparation program. To obtain Connecticut educator certification based on program preparation, educators must:
1. Successfully complete a state-approved planned program of general academic and professional education at a regionally accredited college or university;

2. Pass Praxis Core Academic Skills Tests (Core) or present official evidence of meeting waiver* requirements; and

3. Pass subject-specific tests, if applicable to the endorsement requested.*

* See Guide to Assessments for Educator Certification in Connecticut at https://portal.ct.gov/SDE/Certification/Guide-to-Assessments-for-Educator-Certification-in-Connecticut.

Eligibility Based On Teaching Experience:
Educators who have completed the equivalent of two school years of full-time teaching in the grade level and subject appropriate to the endorsement requested may waive the planned program requirement. However, all coursework, degree, testing and any experiential requirements must still be met.

To obtain Connecticut teacher certification based on teaching experience, educators must:
1. Document no fewer than 20 school months of successful, appropriate full-time teaching experience in the same approved nonpublic school OR an out-of-state public school under a valid certificate;

2. Pass Praxis Core Academic Skills Tests (Core) or present official evidence of meeting waiver* requirements;

3. Pass subject-specific tests, for those endorsements where a test is required*; and

4. Successfully complete all required general academic and professional education coursework for the endorsement areas sought. All coursework must result in credit awarded to official transcripts from regionally accredited colleges or universities.

* See Guide to Assessments for Educator Certification in Connecticut at https://portal.ct.gov/SDE/Certification/Guide-to-Assessments-for-Educator-Certification-in-Connecticut.

All candidates applying for a Connecticut educator certificate, which requires completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, must submit official transcripts verifying completion of the degree, regardless of the basis of their certification.

Note:
Only coursework resulting in credit awarded to an official transcript of a regionally accredited college or university can be accepted to meet certification requirements.

To Apply For Certification:

Applicants are encouraged to submit the application and fee online with a credit card (VISA and MasterCard only — no debit cards) once they have created an account on the Connecticut Educator Certification System (CECS) at https://portal.ct.gov/SDE/Certification/Bureau-of-Certification. Additional application materials may be sent separately by U.S. mail. Personal checks not accepted.

Please submit the following:
1. Online application via CECS or paper ED 170 General Application.

2. Application fee of $50 (Visa or MasterCard only if applying online. Money order, certified bank check or cashier’s check, payable to the “Treasurer, State of Connecticut” if submitting payment by mail.) This fee is nonrefundable. Applicants will be advised of a certification fee balance after evaluation of their application.

3. Official transcripts of all postsecondary coursework completed, including original transcripts if coursework has been transferred. Official transcripts must include the embossed or color seal of the college or university issuing them.

4. ED 126 Statement of Successful Professional Experience, verifying teaching/service in out-of-state public schools or approved nonpublic schools, if applicable. NOTE: The superintendent of the school district or diocese or headmaster of an independent school must sign this form. If the service was completed in a public school, you must include a copy of the certificate or permit authorizing each year of employment.

5. Copy of valid out-of-state certificates/licenses authorizing all years of service indicated on ED 126. Be sure to submit a photocopy of the front and back and a key to any certification codes on the certificate.

6. ED 125 Statement of Preparing Higher Education Institution, which must include the embossed or color seal of the college or university and must be signed by the certification officer or dean.

For More Information On Obtaining Connecticut Educator Certification:
E-mail: teacher.cert@ct.gov

(Please expect response to take up to two weeks due to the volume of requests.)

Phone: 860-713-6969

Fax: 860-713-7017

Mail: Bureau of Educator Standards and Certification
Connecticut State Department of Education
P.O. Box 150471 – Room 243
Hartford, CT 06115-0471