200-RICR-20-20-1. Regulations Governing the Certification of Educators in Rhode Island (version Adoption, 09/08/2005 to 07/14/2010)

RHODE ISLAND REQUIREMENTS FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION TEACHER The vocational education teacher certificate is valid for service in the secondary grades as a vocational education teacher in the vocational field as established by the appropriate work experience and written and practical exam. This certificate does not apply to teachers who teach in vocational settings and are covered by separate certification. (E.G., Business Education, Home Economics, and agriculture) I. Certificate of Eligibility for Employment (CEE) – valid for three (3) years The initial certificate in Rhode Island for all areas of certification is a CEE. The CEE is used to seek regular employment in the schools of Rhode Island for the field identified on the CEE. The CEE is also valid for service as a substitute teacher. If regular employment is not secured in the three (3) year period, the CEE can be renewed every three (3) years (SEE NOTE ONE) until regular employment is secured. To be issued a CEE in vocational education an individual needs to satisfy all of the following: • Diploma from a high school approved by the State Board of Regents for Education or a high school equivalency diploma. • Appropriate work experience as recommended by the Rhode Island Vocational Credentials Review Committee* • Written and practical exam administered by the Rhode Island Vocational Credentials Review Committee* • Twelve semester hours of the following professional education courses which are designed for the preparation of vocational education teachers (Six of the twelve semester hours must be in the area of vocational methods and curriculum): Methods and Curriculum in Teaching of Vocational Subjects; Educational Psychology; History, Social, or Philosophical Foundations of Education and/or Principles of Education. II. Professional Certificate: valid for one (1) year • The one (1) year professional certificate is issued to individuals who secure regular employment in the schools of Rhode Island. To be issued the one (1) year professional certificate the individual must submit an application for a one (1) professional certificate, the CEE, and documentation from the employing authority that regular employment has been secured in the certification area of the CEE. • The one (1) year professional certificate can be renewed annually upon the completion of six (6) semester hours of college credits while matriculating in a bachelor’s degree program, if applicable. Individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree must complete an additional twelve semester hours of college credits, six (6) credits annually, in professional education course work for vocational educators. At least six (6) of the twelve (12) credits must be in the area of Methods and Curriculum in the Teaching of Vocational Education and the remaining six (6) credits can be in Educational Psychology, Historical, social or Philosophical Foundations of Education and /or Principles of Education. III. Professional Certificate: valid for five (5) years. • Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited or approved institution of higher education as defined in these regulations. • Twenty-four semester hours of professional education course work as defined in Section I & II above. • The five (5) year professional certificate requires the successful completion of an I-Plan every five years for renewal for individuals who have been in regular employment for the five-year term of the certificate. To be entitled to an extension of the professional certificate without the completion of an I- Plan, educators must document their employment history during the previous five (5) years. Educators holding regular employment who serve for less than 135 days during any school year are entitled to a one (1) year extension of the professional certificate for each year of service less than 135 days to complete their I-Plan. Educators who leave regular employment during the term of the professional certificate are also entitled to an extension of the professional certificate for the number of years not engaged in regular employment. Educators who return to regular employment, must modify, if appropriate, the I-Plan on record and complete the five (5) year I-Plan during the remaining term of the extended certificate. Individuals who do not renew their Professional Certificate within six (6) months from the date of expiration may be required to complete additional requirements under new regulations to re-instate the expired certificate. NOTE ONE (1): Individuals who do not renew their CEE or Professional Certificate within six (6) months from the date of expiration may be required to complete additional requirements under new regulations to re-instate the expired certificate. *VOCATIONAL CREDENTIALS REVIEW COMMITTEE* Appropriate work experience is defined as the length of an approved apprenticeship program plus one year’s of trade experience or other such work experience, generally five (5) years, as recommended by the Rhode Island Vocational Credentials Review Committee. The National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) provides the written and practical exam required for vocational certification as recommended by the Rhode Island Vocational Credentials Review Committee. When no exam is available for a vocational field the written and practical exam is waived. Individuals holding specific licenses in an occupational field such as a Master’s Electrician License are not required to complete the written and practical. Individuals applying for vocational certification who hold a professional recognized license should inquire as to the need for the written and practical exam. The purpose of the Rhode Island Vocational Credentials Review Committee is to provide technical assistance in an advisory capacity to the Department of Education in the certification of vocational educators. This committee consists of seven (7) members – one member representing the Department of Education, one member representing institutions of higher education in Rhode Island preparing vocational educators, one member representing vocational teachers, one member representing labor, one member representing business and industry, and one member representing the Rhode Island School Superintendents’ Association, and one member representing the Association of Area Vocational Schools Coordinators. Members of the Vocational Credentials Review Committee are appointed by the Commissioner of Education and serve as the discretion of the Commissioner. The Vocational Credentials Review Committee provides technical assistance and advice, when necessary, to the certification office in the following areas: • Appropriate work experience for vocational certification • Appropriate written and practical exam for vocational certification • Appropriate workshops and/or trade seminars for the purpose of coordinating the granting of college credits for these experiences • Appropriate waiver of written and practical exam when an exam for the occupational area has not been developed. Teachers holding vocational certification prior to October 1, 1981 are exempt from the requirement of a written and practical exam unless they seek certification in another vocational field. Effective January 1, 2005