3301-24-26. Lead professional educator license renewal

(A) The lead professional educator license issued pursuant to section 3319.22 of the Revised Code and rule 3301-24-17 of the Administrative Code is valid for five years and may be renewed by individuals currently employed in a school or school district upon verification that the requirements listed in paragraphs (A)(1) to (A)(3) of this rule have been completed:

(1) Six semester hours of coursework related to classroom teaching and/or the area of licensure, completed since the issuance of the license to be renewed, as approved by the local professional development committee of the employing school or school district; or

(2) Eighteen continuing education units (one hundred eighty contact hours) or other equivalent activities related to classroom teaching and/or the area of licensure, completed since the issuance of the license to be renewed, as approved by the local professional development committee of the employing school or school district; and

(3) Demonstration of meeting the criteria for the distinguished level of performance described in the Ohio standards for the teaching profession (available on the Ohio department of education's website at education.ohio.gov) through either of the following two methods:

(a) By being the holder of a valid certificate issued by the national board for professional teaching standards (www.nbpts.org/); or

(b) By being the holder of a teacher leader licensure endorsement earned through completion of an approved program of preparation, and maintaining current designation as a master teacher in accordance with the definition and criteria for a master teacher adopted by the state board of education under section 3319.61 of the Revised Code (education.ohio.gov) and the master teacher designation renewal process (education.ohio.gov).

(B) The holder of a lead professional educator license who is not employed in Ohio schools may apply directly to the Ohio department of education for renewal with evidence of six semester hours of coursework related to classroom teaching and/or the area of licensure, and upon evidence of meeting the requirements specified in paragraph (A)(3) of this rule.

(C) A lead professional educator license that has lapsed for up to five years may be reinstated upon completion of nine semester hours of coursework related to classroom teaching and/or the area of licensure since the issuance of the license to be renewed, and upon evidence of meeting the requirements specified in paragraph (A)(3) of this rule.

(D) A lead professional educator license that has lapsed for more than five years may be reinstated upon completion of nine semester hours of coursework related to classroom teaching and/or the area of licensure since the issuance of the license to be renewed, and upon evidence of meeting the requirements specified in paragraph (A)(3) of this rule.

(E) Coursework for the renewal of a lead professional educator license shall be completed at an accredited two year or four year institution of higher education, defined in rule 3301-24-01 of the Administrative Code as a degree granting institution accredited at the college level by an accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States secretary of education. All coursework should lead to new knowledge in the classroom and be related to student achievement.

(F) The increased amount of coursework associated with renewing a lapsed license will not apply provided that the license holder completes the currently required amount of coursework by September first of the year that the lead professional educator license expires.

(G) The holder of a lead professional educator license who does not meet the requirements specified in paragraph (A)(3) of this rule in order to renew this license, may instead meet the professional license renewal requirements specified in rule 3301-24-08 of the Administrative Code in order to receive a professional license renewal.

(H) Educators who meet the state board definition of consistently high-performing teacher are exempt from the requirement to complete any additional coursework for the renewal of a professional educator license issued under section 3319.22 or 3319.26 of the Revised Code for the next renewal cycle as outlined in paragraphs (A)(1) and (A)(2) of this rule. Consistently high-performing teachers are also exempt from any requirements prescribed by professional development committees established under paragraphs (F) and (G) of this rule.

(1) A consistently high performing teacher is defined as a teacher who has received the highest final summative rating, as defined by sections 3319.111 and 3319.112 of the Revised Code where applicable, for at least four of the past five years; and

(2) Who meet at least one of the following additional criteria for at least three of the five years during the current licensure cycle: holds a valid senior or lead professional educator license; holds a locally recognized teacher leadership role which enhances educational practices by providing professional learning experiences at district, regional, state or higher educational level; serves in a leadership role for a national or state professional academic education organization; serves on a state level committee supporting education; or receives state or national educational recognition or award.

Effective: 4/23/2017
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 02/06/2017 and 04/23/2022
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 3319.22(A) ( 3319.22(H)
Rule Amplifies: 3319.22
Prior Effective Dates: 3/26/15, 1/2/17