June 2, 2025 at 4:00 PM - Licensure Committee Meeting
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1. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. For questions about accessibility or to request an accommodation, please contact Heidi Reinhardt Heidi.REINHARDT@tspc.oregon.gov at least 48 hours before the meeting ORS 192.630((5)(b).
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2. Call to Order
Speaker(s):
Robert Waltenburg
Description:
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3. Introductions
Speaker(s):
Robert Waltenburg
Description:
Introductions and Comments of Agency and Organization Representatives and Guests/Delegations.
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4. From the April 9, 2025, Licensure Committee Meeting:
Speaker(s):
Robert Waltenburg
Description:
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4.1. Endorsements on Teaching License, Adding to the Preliminary
Speaker(s):
Robert Waltenburg
Description:
Endorsements on Teaching Licenses - Adding to the Preliminary
Beginning with the February 12 and continuing to the March 6,and April 9, 2025 Licensure Committee Meetings, a discussion was held about the pedagogy requirement for holders of a Preliminary Teaching License. Options to meet this pedagogy requirement include a 60-hour practicum overseen by the teacher’s employing district and a 3 quarter or 2 semester credit "methods" course. During the April meeting, the Committee reviewed a survey of Oregon’s Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) to determine if these courses are available. The Committee agreed that the courses are available and the pedagogy requirement for the holder of a Preliminary Teaching License should remain. Further input from school district Human Resources staff revealed issues with the 60 hour practicum option, in particular the availability of supervisors meeting the requirement in the rule (see ii below - Advanced Mathematics endorsement language provided as an example): (C) Complete a supervised practicum in an advanced mathematics assignment in a public school setting. To verify the practicum, a school district must submit a PEER form and a statement verifying that: (i) The applicant completed at least 60 hours of a supervised practicum in advanced mathematics courses above Algebra I; (ii) The practicum was supervised by a teacher holding a Professional, Teacher Leader or Legacy Teaching license with an Advanced Mathematics endorsement. If the school or school district is unable to provide a teacher with an Advanced Mathematics endorsement, the school or school district may permit a teacher holding a Professional, Teacher Leader or Legacy Teaching license with an alternate endorsement to supervise the practicum, as approved by the Director of Licensure. The reason for using a supervisor with an alternate endorsement must be noted on the verification statement for the practicum; and (iii) The applicant has obtained the required pedagogy skills to teach advanced mathematics. NOTE: The district must indicate in the statement that the supervisory teacher supports the verification of applicant skill level. The problem is most prevalent in the middle school where teachers tend to be less experienced and hold the Preliminary Teaching License, prohibiting them from supervising the practicum. During the Covid pandemic, the TSPC Executive Director put into place an Alternate Supervisor option as allowed by rule. The list of approved Alternate Supervisors is published on the TSPC webpage (provided as an attachment to this agenda). However, the requirement to hold a Professional, Teacher Leader or Legacy Teaching License remains. The rule language gives the Director of Licensure options to approve a teacher with a different endorsement, but not to approve a teacher with a Preliminary Teaching License. Question for the Committee: Should the holder of a Preliminary Teaching License be added to the rule as a supervisor of the practicum? |
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4.2.
Speaker(s):
Robert Waltenburg
Description:
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5. NEW for the June 2, 2025, Licensure Committee Meeting: The following are possible action items if the Committee determines to forward to the full Commission:
Speaker(s):
Robert Waltenburg
Description:
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5.1. Reinstatement PDUs
Speaker(s):
Robert Waltenburg
Description:
Reinstatement PDUs for Teaching Licenses
At the time of the Teaching License Redesign, the Workgroup discussed requirements for those returning to the profession and wishing to reinstate a Preliminary, Professional, Teacher Leader or Legacy Teaching License. Staff requests Commission review of these PDU requirements prior to the return of PDU verification for licenses expiring on or after 7/1/2029. This will allow staff to properly advise those who ask the question with ample time to earn the necessary PDUs. Applicants report that the "penalty PDUs" as they have become known are too much and prevent teachers from returning to the profession. But the Redesign Workgroup believed in professional development and in trying to maintain high standards for those in front of Oregon students, they created a robust requirement for numbers of PDUs for both regular and CTE teaching licenses. Similar requirements were not placed on Administrators or Personnel Services providers wishing to reinstate a license. Question for the Committee: Does the Committee agree that these "penalty PDUs" are necessary for those wishing to reinstate a non-provisional teaching license? What should be required of those returning to the profession? |
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5.2. Out of State Applicants With Endorsements Requiring a Program
Speaker(s):
Robert Waltenburg
Description:
Out of State Applicants With Endorsements Requiring a Program
Commission rule requires completion of a program to add the following endorsements to a teaching license:
In some other states, these endorsements might be added by testing alone. Staff will provide examples of applicants where Special Education endorsements were added by test alone. Applicants requesting these endorsements on their Oregon Reciprocal Teaching License are reviewed by the Executive Director under the Waiver provision of the Administrative Rule. It is not yet known how the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact will impact TSPC’s requirements for applicants bringing these endorsements from other states. |
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5.3. Emergency Licenses: Allowable terms
Speaker(s):
Robert Waltenburg
Description:
NEW: Emergency Licenses: Allowable Terms
This item is added at the request of Chair Waltenburg after the discussion on the Restricted Teaching License and the evidence required to reissue that license. Existing Administrative Rule does not include a limit on how often or how long someone can hold an Emergency license. But the rule gives staff ample leverage to work with both the districts and the applicant to ensure progress towards degrees and completion of programs to qualify for full licensure. |