Teacher Certification Overview
Certification is the process of validating the preparation of teachers and other
educational personnel in K-12 schools, and authorizing them to serve in the capacities
designated on their certificates. Initial certification requires verification from an
accredited institution that the candidate has met the standards of an approved program and
can be recommended for certification. Applicants must also sign a notarized citizenship
statement and a verification that they have not been convicted of any crime involving
moral turpitude, including traffic in narcotics (SDCL 13-42-10). In addition, state law requires that educators complete
human relations and South Dakota Indian studies
courses.
Rules set by the South Dakota Board of Education and applicable statutes provide the
framework for issuing and renewing certificates. Authorizations, which appear on certificates, indicate the levels of teaching and/or administrative
assignments the certificate holder is authorized for and the subjects/areas
the certificate holder is qualified to teach. Some authorizations are issued after
the educator completes the approved
programs, generally at the major level, and others are issued after transcript analysis/praxis
test verifies
that the educator has met the minimum requirements for authorizations outside a major.
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