BoEE Quarterly Newsletter - February 2023
In this issue: Frequently Asked Questions, Processing Times, Pending Rule Changes, Substitute Teachers, Ethics Spotlight, and Recent Cases.
Although most applications are processed more quickly, applications may take up to 4-6 weeks to process. You can check the status of an application by logging into your account. A status of "Pending Internal Review" means that your application has been submitted.
You may need to apply for an extension if you cannot submit your application 4-6 weeks in advance of your expiration date.
First time applicants are required to submit fingerprints as part of the application process. Your first-time application is not considered complete until we have received all required materials including your completed fingerprint cards.
|
On January 19, the BoEE board voted to adopt the following proposed rule changes:
- The creation of a K-12 Special Education – ALL endorsement (K-12 Strategist I and II)
- Alternative pathway to licensure for applicants with a master’s degree or higher in a content area
- Streamlined rules for out of state and out of country applicants
- The creation of a work-based learning supervisor authorization
When you apply to renew a license, you will also upload your mandatory reporter certificates for both child and dependent adult abuse.
There are two training options: full trainings or refresher trainings.
We can only accept the one-hour refresher trainings IF:
- you have previously taken the NEW, SEPARATE two-hour trainings EACH, completed after July 1, 2019,
- AND you did not let the new trainings expire,
- AND you upload ALL certificates completed after 2019 to show this.
It is MUCH easier to complete the trainings that are two hours each again to make sure you have the correct certificates.
You do not need to submit the certificates to us until you apply to renew.
|
License types approved for full substitute teaching (up to 90 days in one assignment):
- Initial, standard, master educator, permanent professional, or exchange licenses
- Professional administrator license
- Professional service license
- Full career and technical authorization
- Full native language teaching authorization
- Substitute license
Substitute authorization: limited to 10 days in a row in a 30 day period.
The degree requirement to obtain a substitute authorization has been changed from a bachelor’s degree to an associate’s degree or 60 semester hours through a college or university accredited through an institutional accrediting agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education. The substitute authorization course is still required.
Paraeducators who hold a paraeducator certificate with the limited para substitute authorization may serve as a substitute in their own classroom.
|
Many of our cases involve boundary issues between educators and students, and often arise from private messaging or other communication through social media or text messages. Other issues that have emerged in our state involve inflammatory or inappropriate posts on social media.
A helpful tool that is often used for students can be applied to educators as well.
Click here to review the Iowa Code of Professional Conduct to eliminate uncertainty and to prevent future complaints.
21-147 - The Respondent was charged with failing to properly account for funds, converting public property or funds to personal use, submitting fraudulent records, combining public funds with personal funds, and failing to use time and funds for the purposes granted for theft of books, laptops, stem kits, and other educational materials found in her home after her resignation. The Respondent received a Written Reprimand, a suspension of her license for 18 months, completion of Ethics for Educators, and she further agrees not to be responsible for educational funds for five (5) years.
21-93 - The Respondent was charged with being on school premises while under the influence of alcohol. The Respondent received a Written Reprimand, a suspension of his license for two years, completion of Ethics for Educators, and underwent a substance abuse evaluation and treatment and a mental health evaluation and treatment.
22-98 - The Respondent was charged with abandoning a written employment contract without prior unconditional release by her employer. The Respondent received a Written Reprimand.
22-137 - The Respondent was charged with abandoning a written employment contract without prior unconditional release by her employer. The Respondent received a Written Reprimand.
21-149 - The Respondent was charged with having an inappropriate relationship with a student. The Respondent received a public reprimand, suspension of her license for a minimum of 3 years from December 1, 2021, completion of ethics for educators course, and undergo a mental health evaluation and treatment recommendations.
22-136 - The Respondent abandoned a written employment contract without a prior written release. The Respondent received a written reprimand and a license suspension for 30 days.
22-23 - The Respondent was charged with failing to maintain evidence or copies of probes supporting data entered for progress monitoring for alternate assessment IEP students. The Respondent received a written reprimand, completion of an ethics for educators course, and completion of a special education law course.
21-98 - The Respondent was charged with having inappropriate contact with students that was uncomfortable and embarrassing. The respondent surrendered his license without the possibility of reinstatement.
22-94 - The Respondent was charged with using unreasonable physical force when restraining a student. The Respondent received a public reprimand, a deferred suspension of her license through October 31, 2026. The Respondent agrees she will not apply for any other license or authorization during this time. She also agrees to surrender her Professional School Counselor license. She agrees to complete an ethics for educators course, and to undergo psychological evaluations with stipulations.
21-162 - The Respondent was charged with being under the influence of alcohol while on school premises. The Respondent received a written reprimand, an 18 month suspension of her license from the date of her resignation, she must provide proof of completion of treatment and a hair follicle test as part of her reinstatement.
22-110 - The Respondent was charged with having an inappropriate relationship with a student over social media and snapchat. The Respondent received a public reprimand, a suspension of his license for five years. He agrees to complete an ethics for educators course, to undergo boundaries counseling, and to undergo a risk evaluation.
Voluntary Surrenders
21-55 - The Respondent filed a voluntary surrender of his license with the board.
22-87 - The Respondent filed a voluntary surrender of his license with the board.
22-185 - The Respondent filed a voluntary surrender of his license with the board.
22-177 - The Respondent filed a voluntary surrender of his license with the board.
21-161 - The Respondent filed a voluntary surrender of his license with the board.
|
