Certification Regulations

Overview

NOTE: Certain sections of the Certification Regulations which became effective August 6, 1998, have since been superseded by state statutes passed after that date, including but not limited to requirements for assessment, certification of educators from other states, bilingual education, etc. If you have specific questions about the validity of certain regulations, please inquire by e-mailing teacher.cert@ct.gov.

Highlights of Changes - Effective August 6, 1998

(pages 28-30)

Minor Assignments

Need at least 12 semester hours of credit in the subject to be taught.
District waiver option of 12 credits.
May renew one time - need additional 6 semester hours of credit.

Limited Extended Authorization for Early Childhood (N-3)

Need at least 12 semester hours of credit in elementary education and 10 months N-3 teaching.
District waiver option of 12 credits.
May renew on time - need additional 6 semester hours of credit.

Substitute Teacher Authorization Beyond 40 days

Not valid for more than one school year in any one district.

Durational Shortage Area Permit

Cannot be used more than three times.
Need to pass Praxis II prior to final reissuance.

Effective August 6, 1998
Coaching of Interscholastic Athletics in Elementary and Secondary Schools

(pages 31-32)

Requirements

A person serving as a director of athletics, not responsible for supervision, must hold a coaching permit.
A person serving as a director of athletics, responsible for supervision of coaches, must hold a valid Connecticut educator certificate.
A person serving as a director of athletics, with district-wide responsibilities for the athletics program and/or evaluation of certified staff, must hold a Connecticut educator certificate endorsed for intermediate administration or supervision (Grandparent clause).
Coaching Permit
Among other requirements, must have successfully completed a standard first aid course no earlier than three years prior to the date of application and every three years from the date of the course thereafter, and CPR certification annually.
Temporary Emergency Coaching Permit
Among other requirements, must have completed successfully, no earlier than one year prior to the date of application, a standard first aid course and CPR certification.
Temporary Emergency Coaching Permit Issuance
A temporary emergency coaching permit may be issued for a second time for one year if the employing agent of the board of education submits evidence that the applicant has enrolled in or completed successfully at least two credits of 30 clock hours of instruction toward the requirements for a coaching permit.
No temporary emergency coaching permit shall be reissued more than once.

Middle Grades

(pages 55-59)

Endorsement for middle grades are valid for teaching in specific subject areas. Please note: endorsement 7-12 for language may teach grades 4, 5, and 6 in a departmentalized elementary school.

Requirements

In addition to 39 semester hours of credit in general academic course work, applicants must:

Complete a subject area major in any of the following areas: English, mathematics, biology, physics, chemistry, earth science, general science, social science, history, political science, economics, geography, anthropology, sociology; or
Complete an interdisciplinary major in humanities, history/social science, or integrated science; or
Complete 24 semester hours of study in a subject (English, mathematics, biology, physics, chemistry, earth science, social science, history, political science, economics, geography, anthropology, sociology) and either 15 semester hours in a second subject (English, mathematics, biology, physics, chemistry, earth science, social science, history, political science, economics, geography, anthropology, sociology) which will result in endorsement in the two subject areas, or 15 semester hours in an all endorsement subject, special education or related subjects (which will not qualify for an additional teaching endorsement).
For the English major or English concentration, courses must include study in the evaluation and instruction of students in the area of language arts.
For the history or social science major or concentration, the history courses must include study in U.S. history, western civilization or European history and nonwestern history, and study in at least three areas of social science.
For the mathematics major or concentration, courses must include study in calculus.
For the humanities interdisciplinary major, 18 semester hours of study in language arts/English, and course work in at least 3 areas: literature, philosophy, drama, fine arts, dance, theology or foreign language.
For the integrated science interdisciplinary major, a concentration in one area of science of at least 18 semester hours of credit, including a minimum of three lab courses, and course work in each of the other three areas of science, for a minimum of seven credits each including at least one lab course in each area.

Cross Endorsements

(pages 37-41)

Middle Grades

An applicant must complete a minimum of 15 semester hours of credit in a subject area (English, mathematics, biology, physics, chemistry, earth science, general science integrated science, social science, history, political science, economics, geography, anthropology, sociology) for which the endorsement is sought and 12 semester hours of credit in course work specific to middle level education methods and instruction, except that:

For an endorsement to teach history and social studies, an applicant shall include a minimum of nine semester hours of credit in history, including United States history and western civilization or European history and nonwestern history, and course work in at least three of the following areas: political science, economics, geography, sociology, anthropology or psychology.
For the mathematics major or concentration, courses must include study in calculus.
For an endorsement to teach English, an applicant shall include course work in: secondary developmental reading, advanced composition beyond the college freshman level and

English language including history and grammar of the language.

For the integrated science interdisciplinary major, a concentration in one area of science of at least nine semester hours of credit including a minimum of one lab course, and course work in each of the other three areas of science, including at least one lab course in each area.

Secondary Academic Subjects

For European history and nonwestern history, and course work in at least three of the following areas: political science, economics, geography, sociology, anthropology or psychology.
For an endorsement tot each a foreign language, an applicant shall include 24 semester hours of credit in the foreign language; if foreign language course work was started at the intermediate level, 18 semester hours of credit in the foreign language is required; if foreign language course work was started at the advanced level, 12 semester hours of credit in the foreign language is required, and an additional six semester hours including course work in methods and materials for teaching foreign language and course work in language acquisition.
For an endorsement to teach remedial reading and remedial language arts, on and after July 1, 1998, an applicant shall complete an approved program of preparation at an approved institution and 30 school months of successful classroom teaching experience.

Bilingual Education

18 semester hours of credit completed at one regionally accredited college or university.
Proficiency in English language.

Prior Authorizations

(pages 132-134)

Any person employed continuously by one boards of education as an athletic director, prior to July 31, 1998, may not be required to hold certification, with the exception of those athletic directors who evaluate certified staff.

Effective July 1, 1999
Coaching of Interscholastic Athletics in Elementary and Secondary Schools

(pages 31-32)

Requirements

An individual who serves as a coach, including any type of coaching assignment, must hold a coaching permit or a temporary coaching permit.
The coaching permit must be renewed every five years upon completion of not less than 15 clock hours of seminars, course work and workshops providing information on save and healthful coaching practices and understanding child and adolescent development.
Upon the written request of an employing agent of a board of education, the 15 clock hours may be deferred for 12 months.
Individuals who work with athletes without being under the direct and continual supervision of a person serving as a coach must possesses a current coaching permit or a temporary coaching permit.