PURPOSE: The state board of education is authorized to grant certificates of license to teach in any of the public schools of the state and establish requirements and qualifications for those certificates. This rule outlines the procedures for applicants to acquire certification through the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE).

1. (1) In addition to all the criteria for application provided under 5 CSR 80-800.200, an initial four (4)-year certificate shall be issued to an applicant who has successfully obtained certification through the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) and upon verification by the school principal of sixty (60) contact hours in any one (1) of the following areas:

   1. (A) Sixty (60) contact hours in a public school or accredited nonpublic school classroom, of which at least forty-five (45) must be teaching;
   2. (B) Sixty (60) contact hours as a substitute teacher in a public school or accredited nonpublic school, with at least thirty (30) consecutive hours in the same classroom; or
   3. (C) Sixty (60) contact hours of teaching as a paraprofessional.

2. (2) Upon completion of the requirements listed in section (1) of this rule and completion of the requirements listed herein, an applicant shall be eligible to apply for a career continuous professional certificate:

   1. (A) Completion of thirty (30) contact hours of professional development within four (4) years, which may include hours spent in class in an appropriate college curriculum;
   2. (B) Completion of four (4) years of department-approved teaching experience;
   3. (C) Development and implementation of a professional development plan;
   4. (D) Completion of two (2) years in a district mentoring program approved by the state board of education or the ABCTE;
   5. (E) Participate in the district’s Performance-Based Teacher Evaluations (PBTEs); and
   6. (F) Participation in a beginning teacher assistance program.
3. (3) Certification authorized under this rule shall not be granted for the areas of early childhood education, elementary education, or special education.

AUTHORITY: section 161.092, RSMo Supp. 2007.* This rule previously filed as 5 CSR 80-800.285. Original rule filed April 9, 2008, effective Oct. 30, 2008. Moved to 5 CSR 20-400.210, effective Aug. 16, 2011. *Original authority: 161.092, RSMo 1963, amended 1973, 2002, 2003.