The Educator Certification unit is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that all KCMSD newly hired and current teachers/administrators comply with Missouri law requiring that educators meet the requirement of obtaining and/or maintaining professional certification. The office is responsible for providing services including, but not limited to, the following:

Processing and forwarding completed applications for educator certification to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
Conveying information about certification status and procedures
Monitoring compliance with statutory guidelines
Assist staff in schools and central office with certification matters.

Missouri law - Mo. Rev. Stat. § 168.101 require that:

No person without a valid Missouri certificate shall:

1. Engage in the practice of teaching or the performance of education duties in grades kindergarten through twelve in any public school in the state;

2. Act as a school administrator in any public school district.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) issues Educator Certification. Certification policies and procedures are posted on the website: www.dese.mo.gov

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) issues Educator Certification. Certification policies and procedures are posted on the website: www.dese.mo.gov. All forms are available there for downloading.

ABOUT TEACHING CERTIFICATES

A teaching certificate is the official license to teach in the State of Missouri. According to the state statute (Section 168.011), a valid certificate is required for teachers in Missouri public schools.

The Department of Secondary Elementary Education (DESE) Educator Certification issues teaching certificates. Two copies of the issued certificate are provided. The superintendent’s copy is to be on file with an employing school district, and teacher’s copy should be retained for your personal file. The superintendent’s copy is returned to you when you leave KCMSD’s employment.

DISCIPLINE

The Missouri State Board of Education may refuse to issue or renew, or may suspend or revoke a certificate of license to teach if an individual has pleaded to or been found guilty of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude whether or not sentence is imposed; upon evidence that the certificate was obtained by fraud, deception, misrepresentation or bribery; upon evidence of incompetence, immorality or neglect of duty; or if the certificate holder is subject to discipline in another state.

CLASSIFICATION

There are several classifications of ecuator certificates including:

• Professional Certificate:
  
• Initial: A four-year certificate for beginning teachers and those with less than four years of teaching experience.
  
• Career Continuous: A continuous certificate for classroom teaching positions is issued after four years of experience in teaching.

• Adult Education and Literacy: Initial and Career Certificates are issued for teachers in approved adult education programs.
  
• Career Education: Initial and Career Education certificates are issued for teachers in approved career and technical (vocational) schools at the secondary or postsecondary levels;
  
• Administrator: Initial, Transitional, and Career certificates are issued for elementary, middle and high school principals; superintendents; special education administrators and career directors;
  
• Student Services: five – and ten- year certificates are issued for counselors, school psychologists, school psychological examiners, speech/language pathologists, and others;
  
• Lifetime: still in effect; however, no longer available after September 1988;
  
• Provisional: Two-year certificate is issued for teachers who lack a few hours/requirements of meeting all the requirements for full certification.
  
• Temporary: a one-year certificate is issued for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a closely related subject area and requested by a school district. The temporary certificate provides a method to obtain courses in order to qualify for an Initial Certificate.

RENEWAL OF CERTIFICATES

For specific renewal information for each certificate classification, please go to http://dese.mogov. And check under Educator Certification or call us at 573.751.0051.

REACTIVATION

Certificates may be reactivated by completing 24 contact hours of professional development six months prior to or six months after reactivation of the certificate.
New Extended Hours