The 2013 Governor’s Task Force for Improving Education recommended that Idaho move from the current teacher certification system to a tiered system that ensures continued professional growth and is tied to student achievement.
In April, the State Board of Education appointed a committee to flesh out this recommendation. That group has been meeting at least once each month to complete that work. IEA President Penni Cyr and IEA Board member Brian Smith (Lake Pend Oreille) have represented the Association throughout the process.
Over repeated objections by the IEA, the committee recently completed the framework for a tiered certification model that significantly changes the process for individual teachers to receive and renew certification.
The model sets in place a tiered system encompassing an initial three (3) year non-renewable certificate, a five (5) year renewable professional level certificate, and a five (5) year renewable master level certificate.
At their August 14th meeting, the State Board of Education approved the proposed rule paving the way for public comment. As required by law, the proposed rule will be published in the Administrative Bulletin and members of the public will be allowed to provide comment. Written comments may be submitted anytime between now and October 28 to the State Board’s Chief Planning and Policy Officer Tracie Bent (Tracie.Bent@osbe.idaho.gov).
In addition, the SBE has informed the IEA that they will be holding three (3) public hearings across the state to allow the public to provide oral comment. Those hearings are tentatively set to take place after October 7 and conclude by October 28. As soon as the meeting details are set, we will post the schedule.
It is important that all comments and recommendations for changes to the rule the SBE receives be based on accurate information. Prior to submitting comment, you are urged to read the rule.
You can access the rule by clicking here: (http://www.boardofed.idaho.gov/Teacher%20Certification%20Rule%2008-14-14.pdf)
We have also developed a simplified flowchart of the rule.
