200 R.I. Code R. 200-RICR-20-20-1.7

Current through December 3, 2024

Section 200-RICR-20-20-1.7 - Initial Routes to Full Certification

A. Prospective Educators earn full certification through:

1. Completion of a Rhode Island Approved Educator Preparation Program;

2. Reciprocity based on completion of an approved educator preparation program in another state within the last five (5) years or holding comparable certification in another state; or

3. Credential Review of the preparation of prospective educators in certification areas in which there is no approved preparation program in Rhode Island and for certification as Superintendent of Schools.

B. Eligibility for Certification by Completing a Rhode Island Approved Educator Certification Program

1. Prospective Educators attain certification by completing a Rhode Island Approved Program for Educator Certification and demonstrating that they meet all other certification requirements. RIDE shall review and approve programs that demonstrate they meet the Standards for Educator Preparation Programs in Rhode Island.

2. Applicants eligible for certification through completion of a Rhode Island Approved Certification Program receive an Educator Certificate upon submittal of:

a. Application on an official form or through electronic means provided by RIDE;

b. Application fee as established by the Council;

c. Official transcripts from an approved institution, as required, of all credits and degrees, issued by the registrar or other appropriate official of the institution;

d. A statement made by an approved institution or an alternate route to certification program approved by the Commissioner of Education that the candidate has completed an approved planned program of preparation within the last ten (10) years for service in the area of certification and the grade level for which certification is sought and has demonstrated competence with respect to professional standards;

e. Official verification from the testing agency that an applicant has achieved a passing score or satisfactory evaluation on required Rhode Island assessments;

f. An attestation by the applicant that he or she is of good moral character, including disclosure of any employment, criminal, and certification history; and

g. Additional documentation as appropriate to the type of certificate or permit requested.

C. Eligibility for Certification through Reciprocity with Other States

1. Applicants can attain certification by completing an Approved Program for Educator Certification in a state other than Rhode Island or by demonstrating that they hold a currently valid full certificate in another state. Reciprocity is recognition of preparation or certification in another state as comparable to Rhode Island. Individuals seeking certification through reciprocity must demonstrate that they meet Rhode Island testing requirements in the areas(s) of certification or have three (3) years of effective teaching experience unless the individual is seeking reciprocity through the State of Connecticut, the State of Delaware, the District of Columbia, the State of Florida, the State of Georgia, the State of New Hampshire, the State of Maine, the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the State of New Jersey, the State of New York, the State of North Carolina, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the State of South Carolina, the State of Vermont, or the Commonwealth of Virginia as provided in § 1.7(D)(2) of this Part. If the individual was prepared at an institution where the language of instruction was not English, then the individual must also meet the English Language Competency testing requirements.

2. Applicants from the State of Connecticut, the State of Delaware, the District of Columbia, the State of Florida, the State of Georgia, the State of New Hampshire, the State of Maine, the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the State of New Jersey, the State of New York, the State of North Carolina, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the State of South Carolina, the State of Vermont, or the Commonwealth of Virginia who hold full certification in those states are eligible for reciprocity without any additional requirements.

3. Applicants eligible for certification through reciprocity receive an Initial Educator Certificate upon submittal of:

a. Application on an official form or through electronic means provided by RIDE;

b. Application fee as established by the Council;

c. Official transcripts from an approved institution, as required, of all credits and degrees, issued by the registrar or other appropriate official of the institution;

d. A statement made by an approved institution or alternate route to certification program in a state other than Rhode Island that the candidate has completed an approved planned program of preparation within the last five (5) years for service in the area of certification and the grade level for which certification is sought and has demonstrated competence with respect to professional standards OR a copy of a currently valid full certificate from another state;

e. Official verification from the testing agency that an applicant has achieved a passing score or satisfactory evaluation on required Rhode Island assessments, if applicable;

f. An attestation by the applicant that he or she is of good moral character, including disclosure of any employment, criminal, and certification history; and

g. Additional documentation, as appropriate to the type of certificate or permit requested.

D. Credential Review

1. Applicants for certification in areas that do not have approved programs in Rhode Island or for certification as a Superintendent of Schools can attain certification by submitting credentials that demonstrate they meet all certification requirements. These materials must be submitted in a format prescribed by RIDE and are reviewed by RIDE.

2. Applicants eligible for certification through credential review in Rhode Island will be reviewed upon submittal of:

a. Application on an official form or through electronic means provided by RIDE;

b. Application fee as established by the Council;

c. Official transcripts from a regionally accredited institution, as required, of all credits and degrees, issued by the registrar or other appropriate official of the institution;

d. A bachelor's degree for all teachers (in areas where required), an advanced degree for all administrators except School Business Administrator, or an advanced degree for all support professionals;

e. Evidence of performance consistent with the competencies, assessment and field experiences required of all certificates as described in § 1.6 of this Part;

(1) The one (1) year practical residency or equivalent may be waived for an applicant who has had two (2) or more documented years of successful teaching experience in an approved setting.

f. Official verification from the testing agency that an applicant has achieved a passing score or satisfactory evaluation on required Rhode Island assessments, if applicable;

g. An attestation by the applicant that he or she is of good moral character, including disclosure of any employment, criminal, and certification history; and

h. Additional documentation, as appropriate to the type of certificate or permit requested.

3. Applicants eligible for certification through credential review for certification as Superintendent of Schools will be reviewed upon submittal of:

a. Application on an official form or through electronic means provided by RIDE;

b. Application fee as established by the Council;

c. Official transcripts from an approved institution, as required, of all credits and degrees, issued by the registrar or other appropriate official of the institution;

d. An advanced degree;

e. Evidence of significant leadership experience in organizations other than schools, including:

(1) Professional Experience at a senior level in government, private sector organizations, or the military including significant operational responsibility and broad general management experiences, management of complex businesses or business units, or military command experience;

(2) Organizational Leadership Experience that demonstrates strong analytic and problem-solving skills and the energy, determination, and perseverance to act as an agent of change in a demanding organization; and

(3) Interpersonal Leadership Experience that demonstrates strong communication skills and the ability to manage complex political relationships.

f. Official verification from the testing agency that an applicant has achieved a passing score or satisfactory evaluation on required Rhode Island assessments;

g An attestation by the applicant that he or she is of good moral character, including disclosure of any employment, criminal, and certification history; and

h. Additional documentation, as appropriate to the type of certificate or permit requested.

200 R.I. Code R. 200-RICR-20-20-1.7

Adopted effective 1/7/2019
Amended effective 9/24/2020