Office of Accreditation & Teacher Quality

New Certification Rules Include Changes in "Endorsements"

Several changes have occurred with additional endorsements that can be added to teaching certificates, under new state rules effective Sept. 1, 2000.

First of all, a change in terminology has occurred. Additional subject/area and age/grade spans that can be added to a certificate are called "authorizations" rather than "endorsements." The term "endorsement" continues to be used; however, it designates a level of preparation defined as follows: "Approved education endorsement program," a sequence of courses and experiences completed at a minor level or less that meets preparation standards in article 24:16.

All coursework for these education endorsement programs must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher. Credits earned at community colleges and postsecondary vocational schools are still accepted for education endorsement programs, but the credit must be approved in advance by the Department of Education and Cultural Affairs or by the certifying officer of one of the 12 teacher preparation institutions in South Dakota.

Another change is that education endorsement programs in South Dakota are approved by the department. This allows these authorizations to be verified by a preparing institution, rather than through transcript analysis by department staff. The department will continue to complete a transcript analysis to determine eligibility for education endorsement programs when the coursework has been completed at more than one institution. Out-of-state "education endorsement program" authorizations will likely need institutional verification in addition to transcript analysis.

Another new rule, "Restrictions on Additional Authorizations," identifies which types of certificates can and cannot have education endorsement programs added to them, as well as designates a few education endorsement programs that can be issued as "stand-alone" certificates. Instructors, school service specialists who are not also certified as a teacher, and special education teachers who are not also certified as an elementary or secondary teacher may not add additional education programs or education endorsement programs to their certificates, except for the "coach endorsement program."

Finally, several "endorsements outside of a teaching major" have increased in either number of credit hours required or specific content required for these education endorsement program authorizations.

A "grandfathering clause" allows individuals to continue teaching in areas authorized without meeting the new Sept. 1, 2000, requirements, so long as their certificate does not lapse. (A lapsed certificate is one that has been allowed to expire without making application that establishes eligibility for renewal by Oct. 1 of the year of expiration). This three-month "grace period" after expiration allows for completion of summer coursework and processing of transcripts, application materials, etc. Applications received by Oct. 1 will not be considered lapsed; however, the application process should be completed by Dec. 31 in order to retain non-lapsed status.