A Programming Change for Licensure Classes

Programming Change for Licensure Classes

There are new licensure procedures  that will impact how professional development is offered and how teachers earn credits to renew their licenses.  These new procedures will take effect on July 1, 2015.  ALL COURSES <both staff development (license renewal) and graduate> will require 30 hours of outside work for each credit offered in the course.  

As guidelines are established, we are confident that we will be able to offer job-embedded professional development that meets these new standards.  In the meantime, if you are up for renewal, you may want to consider taking a course that begins prior to the July 1 change. 

All Drake University Continuing Education and Professional Development courses offered after July 1, 2015, must be offered for EDMA credit. Drake EDMA courses must have 30 hours of outside work for each credit offered in the course. This applies to both staff development and graduate credit options. *(Please note--if an instructor decides to offer a class for license renewal ONLY, it will not require the 30 additional hours. However, if it is offered for both license renewal AND graduate credit, the requirements for both are the same). For example, if you offer a one-credit course (15 contact hours), there must be an additional 30 hours of work the participants are required to do outside of class. There must also be a way to assess that work. Courses that start before July 1, 2015, can be offered for EDEX credit even if the course ends after July 1. The Heartland AEA Professional Development Advisory Council will be drafting procedures for this change moving forward.

To learn more, watch the video at the link below:

Changes for Licensure Classes

FAQ's

Why is this change happening?

This change is taking place because of two factors:

1. As it applies to Drake University courses, the Title IV Federal Financial Aid Guidelines now require 15 instructor-led hours with an additional 30 hours of outside work. This connects to Federal Student Loan requirements for degree completion.
2. As it applies to license renewal courses, the statewide AEA system is working together to develop common programs, procedures and policies across the state for AEA license renewal programs. With the change to the Drake requirements, and the statewide license renewal programming connections, this change is coming about at this time.

Will graduate credit still work for salary advancement?

As with all personnel questions, it is best to contact your district/school’s Human Resources Department. As far as we know, these credits will still work for advancement on the salary schedule. You may, however, want to double check as to what grade is required (A, B, C, D).

With these added requirements, can I use this credit toward a master’s degree?

If the course is taken for graduate credit, and if you secure advisor approval, these courses can be used as electives in a Drake master’s program. Other universities may also allow these courses. We encourage educators to check with their institution to be certain.

Why are the requirements for licensure renewal credit the same as Drake University credit?

The statewide AEA system, with input from school administrators and university leaders, determined that the focus of a course should be on the learning, not on the number of hours spent on the course. If the rigor of the course meets that of a master’s level, the learning should also be at that level for the license renewal course. This way all participants in a course have the same level of learning, which will lead to more robust conversations and greater learning all around.

Why wouldn’t I just take a course at Drake?

The costs for Drake credit through Heartland AEA are a bargain! If you were to take a course at Drake University, you would pay $450 per credit plus a $60 technology fee. The cost of a one-credit Drake course through Heartland AEA is either $100 or $160 depending on the type of course.