MONTGOMERY, AL – The Alabama State Board of Education announced intent today that, effective September 1, 2010, the Alabama Department of Education (SDE) will no longer automatically accept applications for the Alabama Professional Educator Certificate in educational administration or instructional leadership based on completion of programs in other states.
A deadline of August 31, 2009, for the receipt of certificate applications from individuals who completed education administration programs at out-of-state institutions was previously announced by State Superintendent of Education Joe Morton, who indicated that it was imperative that local superintendents share that information with their teachers. Based on
Dr. Morton’s recommendation, the Board announced intent today to extend that deadline until August 31, 2010. The Board will conduct a public hearing on the proposed change at its regular meeting on April 8, 2010.
“Alabama is committed to improving the quality of instructional leadership in Alabama schools and school systems to ensure a focus on improving student performance,” said
Dr. Morton. “Alabama has been recognized by the National Association of State Boards of Education, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, the Southern Regional Education Board and the Wallace Foundation for our statewide commitment to implement only programs focused on improving instruction.”
“We know the most significant factors in student and school success are the quality of the teachers and the school’s instructional leader,” said John Bell, SDE Administrator for Leadership and Evaluation, who staffed the Governor’s Congress on Instructional Leadership. “We received excellent cooperation from universities and school systems in the redesign process,” Bell concluded.
Alabama will continue to process applications for an Alabama Professional Educator Certificate in educational administration or instructional leadership from applicants who:
· Hold a valid certificate in educational administration or instructional leadership from the state where a state-approved program was completed.
· Have at least three full years of acceptable educational experience.
· Document compliance with Alabama’s testing and background clearance requirements.
Meanwhile, the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) will work with SDE staff to monitor other states’ efforts to redesign preparation programs. Alabama should be able to honor programs completed at out-of-state institutions when comparable statewide efforts are confirmed by the SREB.
“In consideration of Alabama’s comprehensive efforts to ensure innovative, learner-focused leadership for all of our schools, we believe the action regarding applicants who complete or have completed out-of-state programs is in order,” explained Dr. Eddie R. Johnson, Deputy State Superintendent of Education.
For more information, contact Alabama’s Teacher Certification office at tcert@alsde.edu or 334-242-9977.
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