Portfolio Review - FAQ’s
Who is eligible to go through the portfolio process?
- Individuals who completed a nontraditional teacher preparation program to teach at the secondary level (both middle school and high school) or who are applying for licensure as Instructional Strategists at either the elementary or secondary level.
- Elementary teachers are not eligible for the portfolio process at this time.
What is considered nontraditional preparation?
- Nontraditional means: Any method of teacher preparation that falls outside of the traditional method of preparing teachers through at least a one or two year sequenced program of instruction taught at a regionally accredited and state approved colleges or universities, involving commonly recognized pedagogy classes being taught for course credit, and a student teaching component being required.
How do I know if my program is regionally accredited and/or state approved?
- To see if your program is regionally accredited you can use the following link that will lead you to a website that enables you to research your institution, http://www.boee.iowa.gov/accred.html . To see if your institution is state accredited just check with the state’s department of education.
I have decided that my preparation was nontraditional. What are my requirements for licensure in Iowa? 13.3(3)
- You must hold a valid teacher license from the state in which you completed your nontraditional preparation.
- You must hold a baccalaureate degree with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 on a 4.0 scale, from a regionally accredited university.
- You must provide a recommendation from a regionally accredited institution, department of education, a state’s standards board, or alternative preparation program indicating the completion of a state approved nontraditional teacher preparation program
- You must proved an official institutional transcript(s) to be analyzed for the requirements necessary for full Iowa licensure.
- You must meet recency requirements. Recency is defined as: “Having taught at least 160 days or having completed at least six semester hours of college credit from a recognized institution within the last five years”.
- Show proof of completing a student teaching or internship experience or verify three year of teaching experience.
- If you have fewer than three years of teaching experience you must provide verification from the state licensing agency/department in the state where the nontraditional teacher preparation program was completed indicating that you successfully passed the state’s mandated tests.
- Through transcript evaluation, show that you have completed 75% of the course work necessary to meet the endorsement area that you have requested to be on your license. This course work must have been met through a two or four year, regionally accredited institution.
- If necessary, through the electronic portfolio evaluation, provide proof that you have met at least 7 of 9 standards in the Iowa Professional Core.
How will it be decided if I need to go through the portfolio process?
- If your preparation was completed through a college or university that was not regionally accredited, you will need to go through the portfolio process.
- If your preparation was not completed through a college, you will need to go through the portfolio process.
- If you did not receive college credits for your program, you will need to go through the portfolio process.
- If your program was not at least one year (two college semester’s) long, you will need to go through the portfolio process.
- If after transcript evaluation, we can’t determine where your professional core standards were met and your college will not provide a list of where each standard was met within your program, you will need to go through the portfolio process.
When will I know if I will have to go through the portfolio process?
- You are welcome to call and talk about your preparation program. We may be able to tell you whether it is likely or unlikely that you will have to go through the portfolio process.
- A final decision as to whether or not you will require the portfolio process will not be made until you have made initial application, using the out of state nontraditional preparation application for licensure, and a licensure consultant is able to evaluate your application.
- If it is determined that you will need to go through the portfolio process, you will be sent an application for the portfolio process.
What is the portfolio process?
- The portfolio process is a means of providing evidence that you have met the Iowa standards. The e-portfolio is an online tool that allows you to dialogue and upload files to show (1) where in your program you learned the information and (2) how and where you have used the information you learned.
What is the cost of the portfolio?
- $500 for the professional core.
- For individuals needing to do a portfolio for their special education content area the cost is $250. This could be in addition to the $500 if a portfolio for the core is also completed.
What happens if I do not meet at least 7 of the 9 standards of the Iowa Professional Core?
- If you do not meet 7 of the 9 you will not be eligible for a license.
- You will receive a deficiency letter showing what requirements you did not meet through portfolio review. If you remediate all deficiencies with credits from two and four year regionally approved institutions you will be eligible to apply for a regular Iowa teaching license.
If I meet 7 of the 9 standards do I need to complete course work to satisfy the standards I did not meet?
- Yes. You will be required to take course work, at a two or four year, regionally accredited university. You will have two years from the licensing date to complete this course work.
What happens if I do not meet 75% of the course work necessary for an endorsement area?
- If you do not have 75% of the required course work the endorsement will not be included on your license.
- You must have at least one endorsement in order to be licensed.
If I do have at least 75% of the necessary course work, and the endorsement is on my license, do I need to complete course work to satisfy the course I did not meet?
- Yes. You will be required to take course work, at a two or four year, regionally accredited university. You will have two years from the licensing date to complete this course work.
I was already fingerprinted for my current license. Do I need to do it again?
- Yes, professionals attempting to earn licensure in the State of Iowa will need to complete a background check, which includes fingerprinting. Materials will be provided to you at the time of your application.
Why doesn’t Iowa accept competency based course work, testing, or life experiences for meeting the professional core or content areas?
- Licensure is based on specific rules in all states. In Iowa, our rules specify that course work must be completed with course credit.
- Iowa does not recognize testing as the sole means of evaluating competency. Testing will not be a valid justification for meeting competencies.
- Iowa does not recognize previous life experiences as a means of meeting a competency. Therefore, life experiences and previous employment prior to your program will not be accepted as justification for meeting a competency.
Can one course satisfy more than one professional core area?
- Yes, this is possible and will be determined by a consultant during the electronic portfolio process.
Can I send copies of course descriptions/syllabuses or do they need to be originals?
- All submissions of evidence during this process is done electronically through an online portfolio program. Course descriptions, syllabuses, etc. can be downloaded or attached within the electronic portfolio.
How long will it take to review my portfolio once it is submitted?
- We are allowing 4 – 6 weeks to complete each portfolio review.
Can I get some type of emergency license while I go through the portfolio process?
- No. Emergency licensure, temporary permits, and conditional licenses will not be given to anyone going though the portfolio review and evaluation process. The intent of the portfolio process is to determine if the applicant meets Iowa standards. Until that has been determined, no type of licensing will be done.
Can I submit sections of the portfolio as I complete them?
- No. The portfolio must be submitted when you feel you have completed it. There is however, through the e-portfolio process, a dialogue box to use for communication with a consultant during the process. Consultants will have visual access to your portfolio while you are working on it. The dialogue box will be a good method of communication while you are working on the portfolio and will allow you to ask specific questions of the consultant working with you. It will not be real time, as in Instant Messenger, but will notify the consultant that a question has been left for them. A dialogue could take place if both the candidate and consultant are logged onto the program.
Do I get a chance to re-submit a portfolio section that you have found insufficient?
- No. If any of the pedagogical or content work is found insufficient, beyond the 75% core or content rule, a meeting may be required to discuss the deficiency. This may be done face to face at our offices in Des Moines, or by using a pre-determined video conferencing device.
Do I get my money back if I do not qualify for a license?
- No. All application fees are non-refundable.
Who do I contact if I can’t get the IPREP program to work?
- You should contact the consultant that is assigned to your case. There contact information is below.
- Dr. Mary Lou Nosco: marylou.nosco@iowa.gov 515-725-2146