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Teacher Licensure

 
LICENSURE AND CREDENTIALS

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The Jewish Education Center of Cleveland (JEC) provides support services for Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) licensure and credentialing of teachers in JEC affiliated Jewish day schools which are chartered non-public schools.

All educators in Ohio chartered non-public schools must have ODEW credentials.
The JEC maintains records of the following credentials:
 
1. Types of Credentials
    • Five-year professional licenses: usually for general studies teachers
    • Two-year Resident Educator licenses: usually for general studies teachers who recently completed teacher preparatory programs in the state of Ohio or who moved to Ohio with out of state licenses and less than three years of teaching experience. 
    • Click here for more information about various ODEW Licensure Pathways.
 
2. Five-Year Professional License Holders:
    • The JEC provides guidance to ensure that teachers have and maintain licenses.
    • The JEC works with the Local Professional Development Committee (LPDC) to ensure compliance with ODEW rules and regulations. The LPDC, composed of representatives from each day school, reviews and approves license renewal applications, Individual Professional Development Plans (IPDP’s), and associated course requests, submitted electronically on Pre-Approval forms.
    • Teachers with five-year ODEW professional licenses refer to the Professional Development Book for renewal requirements.
    • Click here for more information about RENEWING a License from the ODEW. 
    • To apply for a NEW License from the ODEW, click here.
 
3. Two-Rear Resident Educator License Holders:
    • The JEC coordinates the Resident Educator and Mentor Program, required by ODEW for newly licensed teachers.
    • The ODEW Resident Educator Program requires Resident Educators to complete specific tasks over two years under the guidance of trained mentors and a program coordinator.
    • Click here for more information from the ODEW.
 
4. The JEC provides guidance to ensure compliance with State of Ohio background check rules which require updates of fingerprinting every five years.
 
BACKGROUND CHECKS

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Background checks are required for every employee in all Ohio schools.
  • Two types of background checks are required:
      • BCI (Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification/Investigation) and
      • FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) Fingerprinting.
  • New employees must have a BCI and FBI Fingerprinting before employment starts.
  • Current employees must update their FBI fingerprinting every five years.
  • Background checks are reported to your school, ODEW or Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services (ODJFS).
      • To the ODEW for teachers, aides and administrators.
      • To the ODJFS depending on the early childhood department’s state requirements.
 
The Jewish Family Service Association (JFSA) provides background checks and fingerprinting services. Click here to download the Fingerprinting and Background Check form, follow the instructions on the form.
 
LOCAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

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Per Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) rules, the Jewish Education Center's Local Professional Development Committee (LPDC) reviews and approves professional development plans and requests for educators who have 5-year ODEW professional licenses.

 

Five-Year Professional License Holders:

Must write an Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP) with three goals selected from Ohio Teaching Standards.
  • Must submit the IPDP to the LPDC via the Online Database.
  • Must complete six semester hours or 180 points of professional development every five years in order to meet ODEW renewal requirements.
  • Professional development activities include college courses (both undergrad and graduate), workshops, conferences, ODEW mentoring and more.
  • Submit one Pre-Approval Form via the Online Database for each professional development activity prior to enrolling in a course/workshop/activity that will be used towards license renewal.
  • Pre-approval submission for professional development can NOT have occurred more than six months past.
  • Submit a description of the professional development activity as an attachment to the Pre-Approval Form.
  • Obtain official verification documents upon completion of courses, workshops, and activities.
  • Submit official verification online to the LPDC to complete renewal requirements