Certification Guideline 54

SUBJECT
Appeals - Appropriate Occupational or Academic Preparation

GUIDELINE DEFINITION
State staff decides whether the occupational experience submitted supports certification for an occupational subject instructor. State staff also make the decision whether the academic preparation supports certification for an academic instructor. An individual/district may appeal a decision to the State Certification Committee. The appeal would normally come from either the individual where the certification was denied or the District Certification Officer. Decisions that resulted in certification can also be appealed. The appeal to the State Certification Committee must be in writing and sent to the State Certification Consultant. The appeal must be specific as to what is being appealed and what is the desired relief being sought.

An appeal must be based on the documentation provided to the State Certification Consultant. The appeal and the documentation provided to the State Certification Consultant will be sent to State Certification Committee members a minimum of two weeks prior to their meeting on the appeal. State Certification Committee members may discuss this information with other staff from their district. They will remove anything that identifies the individual (name and social security number) and the employing district prior to sharing the documentation with other district staff.

If new information becomes available prior to the appeal, the information must be provided to the State Certification Consultant. The information may impact the earlier decision and eliminate the need for the appeal. The State Certification Committee will not consider any information that has not previously been provided to the State Certification Consultant for consideration.

It is not necessary for an individual or the District Certification Officer to be present for the appeal to be considered. If requested, an individual or District Certification Officer will be allowed up to thirty minutes to address committee members. After any such addresses, only State Certification Committee members will participate in the discussion. Committee members may ask additional clarifying questions of any individuals present.

The State Certification Committee may recommend an amount of occupational experience for an occupational instructor or credit for an academic instructor that is either greater than, less than, or the same as that has been recognized by the State Certification Consultant.

EXAMPLE
A certification request was submitted for Larry for program 10-101-1 (Accounting). Documentation was submitted showing 2,000 hours as an accountant for ABC Construction. In addition, documentation of 10,000 hours as an Office Manager with White Cleaners was also submitted. Documentation was also submitted from White Cleaners as to the job duties performed by Larry and the amount of time he spent performing the various job duties. The State Certification Consultant recognized the 2,000 hours from ABC Construction and only 1,500 hours from White Cleaners. The decision of the State Certification Consultant is appealed to the State Certification Committee. The appeal could result in zero hours from White Cleaners being recognized. The appeal could also result in 2,000 hours from White Cleaners being recognized and this would result in certification being granted for the 10-101-1 (Accounting) program.

EXAMPLE
A certification request was submitted for Brenda for instructional area 801 (Communications). The transcript submitted in support of the request showed a BS degree was granted for Home Economics. Only eight credits were identified as coming from the English Department. Brenda had her transcript reviewed by the English Department of the university where she graduated in accordance with the appropriate academic preparation document for instructional area 801. The English Department Chair identified another six credits that would be recognized towards a major in English. A copy of that letter was provided to the State Certification Consultant. The State Certification Consultant determined that certification could not be granted for instructional area 801 (Communications). The decision was appealed. The State Certification Consultant's decision was supported based on the transcripts and the letter from the English Department Chair.

EXAMPLE
Certification has been requested for Patrick for instructional area 804 (Mathematics). He has a BS degree, but he does not have a major or minor in mathematics. The transcript only identifies 17 credits as coming from the mathematics department. This request was denied by the State Certification Consultant. He appealed the decision to the State Certification Committee. Patrick then contacted the Mathematics Department Chair at a local university. He obtained a letter from the Mathematics Department Chair stating another three credits would be recognized towards a major in mathematics. He presented this letter at the time of his appeal. The State Certification Committee would not consider the appeal since this new information had not been provided to the State Certification Consultant.

RATIONALE
Documentation affects the decision-making process. Therefore, an appeal must be based on the evidence provided to the State Certification Consultant. If additional evidence is provided, the State Certification Consultant will reconsider a request.

Implemented: October 14, 1997
Last Reviewed/Revised: May 2002

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