The Commission met on February 7 and 8, 2019. The first day of the meeting covered a variety of topics, with the second day focused on the important work of reviewing licensure discipline cases. The meeting began with reports from Chair Maureen Wolf and Executive Director, Dr. Rosilez, covering mainly the Legislative Session and TSPC Budget proposal for the 2019-2021 biennium. The Commission also heard presentations from the Chief Education Office and the Oregon Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (OACTE).
Licensure Items
Teacher Leader Applications: Five applications for the Teacher Leader license were reviewed with two Teacher Leader Licenses awarded. These applications are redacted to avoid bias and reviewed by a subcommittee of the Commission. The unsuccessful applicants are notified and given the opportunity to revise and resubmit their evidence for the next Commission meeting.
Waiver requests were also reviewed. Waivers may be granted by the Executive Director when an applicant can provide “evidence of academics skills, experience and knowledge demonstrating mastery of the Commission-adopted standards for the license.” Common requests include testing waivers for out of state applicants who have been teaching the particular content for at least five years while holding appropriate licensure in the other state, and issuing of an LCA (License for Conditional Assignment) when the applicant previously held provisional licensure in the same endorsement.
Licensure Committee Report
The License Committee met on January 19, 2019. Topics on that agenda reported to the full Commission during the February meeting were:
A review of the Commission Handbook sections relative to the duties of Commission committees. Music and PE Workgroups Update: These groups both met in October to discuss the shortage of teachers in these areas. Accessibility to programs is a problem for teachers who are in the classroom and who might not be able to travel to campus to take classes. The conversations at those meetings were enlightening to all stakeholders, but no solid progress on solutions has yet been made. The Licensure Committee will review which universities offer these as an “added endorsement” program at their next meeting. Library Media Endorsement: Portland State University recently announced the closure of their program to add the Library Media Specialist endorsement to a Preliminary, Professional or Teacher Leader License. Districts must continue to provide a “strong school library program” as they report to the Oregon Department of Education as required by Administrative Rule in Division 22, yet the closure of PSU’s program means there is no in-state option for a teacher to add the endorsement. [ADD COMMISSION DISCUSSION] Special Education Workgroup Update: On November 29, 2018, ODE and TSPC convened a stakeholder’s workgroup to discuss issues districts have in complying with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA, formerly NCLB) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) with respect to delivering content area instruction to students on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The introduction of the Course to Endorsement Catalogue in 2017 updated the previous TSPC License Guide without a change to the scope of a Special Education: Generalist endorsement. This was not a change to the Licensure Guide or to the requirements of the federal and state laws. But it caused districts to review staff assignments and revise methods of delivering content area instruction models.
In 2017, The Commission adopted rules allowing a Special Educator who was deemed “highly qualified” in a content area to add a Legacy endorsement, based on testing, teaching experience in the content or an evaluation of the teacher’s academic record by a district (a.k.a. “HOUSSE”. The workgroup proposed expanding the availability of Legacy endorsements to new teachers, and revising the Course Catalogue to allow Special Educators to teach certain content area courses. ODE and TSPC staff are considering these proposals. Administrator Redesign: The Committee reviewed the upcoming adoption of the rules for Administrator licensure and preparation. Comprehensive, detailed information about the new rules will be published separately. Barriers Workgroup Update: During the June 2018 Commission meeting and after hearing from educators who have experienced barriers to the profession, the Commission gave Dr. Rosilez the charge to study those barriers and bring recommendations on reducing them. At the November meeting, the Commission proposed a change in rule to allow programs to develop a multiple measures approach to assessing candidates’ (teachers in training) content knowledge and preparedness for licensure. Dr. Rosilez engaged the assistance of leadership and faculty from approved preparation programs to draft a proposed multiple measures assessment. The workgroup is working to present the draft to Dr. Rosilez for presentation at the April Commission meeting. Adoption of the rule to allow a multiple measures approach will be delayed until after the April Commission meeting. Career and Technical Education: During the June 2018 Commission meeting, the Commission granted approval to Clackamas Community College’s preparation program for Career and Technical Education teachers coming into teaching from business and industry. The program is not approved to prepare teachers for full licensure in content areas such as Math or Social Studies, but it is one option for CTE teachers to use to meet their Professional Development Plan. The Oregon Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (OACTE) has expressed some concern that this CTE-specific teacher preparation program could become an “alternative route” to full licensure. Of greatest concern is the Human Resources: Education Services area, where a district offers an ODE-approved CTE program in Early Childhood or Elementary Education and Teaching. To gain the endorsement required to teach in those programs, the teacher must demonstrate the required work experience, and that experience can only be achieved by holding a full TSPC teaching license. It is not likely that a day care provider could demonstrate appropriate experience, complete the CCC program and achieve licensure. Staff created a CTE Overview for review and discussion by the Commission.
Other Licensure Items eLicensing and Communications Update: Staff is pleased to report positive progress on the development of eLicensing’s functionality to issue licenses, provide greater transparency and accessibility to applicants, and a district interface to replace letters. Launch of the new functionality is targeted for later this spring, prior to the summer rush. Licensure Production Update: The Director of Licensure is pleased to report continued success by the Evaluator and Public Service Representative teams. Phone answer rates are consistently above the 90% mark, and the evaluators are reviewing applications within three weeks of filing. These staff members are to be commended for their perseverance and continued striving for excellence.
Program Approval Item of Interest
On May 16, 2018, the Board of Trustees of Marylhurst University voted to close the institution, including their Education Department, effective December 31, 2018.
Student records for former Marylhurst Education Department students who transferred to other institutions were transferred to the new college or university. Academic records for students who did not transfer to another institution will be maintained by Saint Martin’s. Former Marylhurst students who wish to order Marylhurst transcripts are able to do so online at: https://www.stmartin.edu/marylhurst.
Rules
Proposed Rules: There were no rules proposed during this meeting.
Rules adopted include: Administrative Licensure Redesign: will be published separately before March 1. Staff is preparing the final rule filing and an implementation plan to include notices to licensees and a separate newsletter specific to this important change.
Preliminary Teaching License: Removes six-year recency requirements from the Preliminary Teaching License rule. Recency for Preliminary Teaching License will continued to be monitored through the programs. (584-400-0160 requires applicants to submit a program recommendation that is no more than three years old. If the program recommendation is more than three years, the applicant must obtain a new recommendation from their program.)
Restricted Teaching License to Reciprocal Teaching License: Provides the option of moving to the Reciprocal Teaching License after the last term of the Restricted Teaching License for educators completing out of state programs. Requires licensure on the 91st day after application to align with the provisions of SB 205.
Special Education: Early Intervention: Changes name of early intervention endorsement to SPED: Early Intervention and Early Childhood endorsement, and adopts teacher preparation program standards.
Other TSPC Tidbits
CTE Licensure Fees: when a CTE teacher holding a Restricted CTE License completes the requirement in their Professional Development Plan and applies to move to the Preliminary CTE License, the fee for the new license is the full $140 (plus the $10 portal provider fee). This transaction is not a “renewal” or a “reissue” of the same license.
Staffing Changes: Matt Garrett, TSPC’s long time “IT Guy” recently accepted a new position outside of Oregon. The Commission thanks Matt for his 21 years of service to Oregon’s students and wishes him the very best in his future.
With Matt’s departure, please send all of your questions to your assigned district contact or to Elizabeth at Elizabeth.keller@oregon.gov. We are fortunate to have a second “IT Guy” on staff, Jason Hovey. Jason’s primary assignment over the past year has been the development and implementation of a database to manage the work of the Professional Practices Staff. With Matt’s departure, Jason will assume some of the duties required to administer the licensure database until eLicensing is fully operational.
Online Services Help Available: Having trouble using the Online Services Portal? Adding C3s, LCA requests or changing staff access? Help is available at this link. If your question isn't answered by that weblink, please email your TSPC contact or Elizabeth at Elizabeth.keller@oregon.gov for further assistance.
GRACE PERIOD REMINDER: During the November 2018 Commission meeting, a rule change affecting the administration of the 120 grace period was adopted. The change will be effective as of 7/1/2019 and will bring the Commission’s rule in alignment with ORS 342.127: (5) Notwithstanding the expiration date posted on the license, the license shall continue to be valid for an additional 120 days, provided the educator has made a timely application, as determined by the commission, for renewal prior to the expiration date on the license.
Beginning 7/1/2019, in order to activate the 120-day grace period, the educator must submit the application and fee prior to the expiration date of their current license. Those applying after the expiration date will be assessed late fees ($40 per month up to 5 months or $200). Once the application and fee are paid, the educator may be permitted to “teach in the public schools of this state for 90 calendar days after the date of submission of the application if:
(A) The person is not ineligible for a teaching license following background checks conducted by the commission, including a criminal records check as provided in ORS 181A.195 and a background check through an interstate clearinghouse of revoked and suspended licenses;
(B) The school district has completed the review of the employment history of the person as required by ORS 339.374; and
(C) The person and the school district have complied with any other requirements established by the commission by rule.
TSPC Commission Meeting
The next full Commission meeting is April 4-5 at the Portland Sheraton Airport Hotel.
Districts: Please contact your TSPC representative if you have questions about licenses for educators in your district.
Please note: Your TSPC representative’s email address and phone number are exclusively for district use and should not be distributed to educators. Educators must contact TSPC by email or phone, 503-378-3586.
This newsletter is intended to provide general information only.
Please refer to Chapter 584 of the Oregon Administrative Rules for specific rules and regulations governing educator licensure in Oregon.
