FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
?
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
JIM HORNE
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
SALLY BRADSHAW
LINDA J. EADS, ED.D.
CHARLES PATRICK GARCÍA
JULIA L. JOHNSON
WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, PH.D.
October 8, 2003
MEMORANDUM
TO:
School District Certification Contacts
Nonpublic School Certification Contacts
FROM:
Beverly Gregory
SUBJECT:
Update Bureau of Educator Certification Improvements
This memorandum is sent to provide information about the technology system and process improvements
in the Bureau of Educator Certification since the May update and to advise that we will soon be asking for
your participation in another customer survey. It is only through your responsiveness to the survey
questions and other communication to us that we can continue to improve our services and address your
needs.
The Bureau has completed several projects to improve the quality and timeliness of the services to you,
our district partners, and to the applicants. Hopefully, many of these improvements are already evident to
you. The implementation of these improvements and additional personnel have increased the monthly
production from an average of 7,304 files per month for 2002-2003 to more than 10,000 per month for
August and September 2003. Now, we are beginning the planning for Phase II of the technology system
improvements culminating in redesign of the system. The system redesign project will continue for
several months.
Your continued support and cooperation are greatly appreciated. I am looking forward to seeing many of
you in October at the fall FASPA meeting.
/bg
BEVERLY GREGORY
Chief, Bureau of Educator Certification
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 201 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-9796 • www.fldoe.org
Bureau System Improvement Updates
¾
Viewing Outgoing Bureau Correspondence on Database
All school districts now have the ability to view all outgoing correspondence from the
Bureau via the web-based district renewal system. The initial results and comments are very
positive. If you still have questions, please contact David LaJeunesse, or if technical
assistance is needed, please send an electronic message to Datta Kadam at
dattasignature.kadam@fldoe.org.
¾
Online Certificate Lookup, Application Status Lookup, and Materials Request
The
Certificate Lookup
web-based search tool enables the general public to access records
for any educator who currently holds a Florida Educator’s Certificate. This feature allows
teachers and administrators to search for their own certificate status or that of any other
current certificate-holder by name and by school district. Through the
Certificate Lookup
feature, parents and interested citizens can verify the Florida certificate status of their local
teachers and administrators.
Any educator who has applied for certification in Florida may also use the
Application
Status Lookup
to review the status of his/her own current application for a Florida
Educator’s certificate. Interested educators logon to this secure site by creating a
personalized logon ID and can then view their own personal Florida certification status. In
addition to viewing his/her own currently valid certificates, this tool also provides real-time
information regarding the current processing status of a pending application for certification,
including recently received transcripts, score reports and other supporting documents; the
applicant’s payment history; as well as any outstanding items required to complete the
application process.
To more effectively meet the needs of those interested in becoming a Florida educator, the
Bureau’s website has been restructured as a step-by-step guide to attaining a Florida
Educator’s Certificate. Throughout this process, potential applicants may choose the
Request Materials
from the Bureau’s homepage to have certification forms and other
materials mailed to them. The visitor may then enter his/her current United States address
information and request certification applications, Florida Teacher Certification Exam
registration booklets, and other helpful information regarding certification in Florida.
¾
Online Interactive Voice Response Telephone System
:
Applicants and educators who wish to contact the Bureau by telephone are also being better
served by a new Interactive Voice Response system. This telephone access system provides
callers with several self-service options including general certification and FTCE Testing
information, voice requests for forms and brochures, and real-time application and certificate
status updates for any educator who has applied for Florida certification. These features are
rounded out with a voicemail and recorded response system as well as live operator service
for complex certification issues.
Page 2
¾
?
On-line Application Upgrades
Approval has been granted for acceptance of application fee payment by credit card for on-
line applicants. The final authorization steps are being completed and the technical
programming changes are underway. The target date for implementation is December 1,
2003.
¾
?
Electronic Submission of Forms
The challenges encountered with hardware, software, and database upgrades in June have
delayed the implementation of the electronic forms submission. The automatic receipt of
LiveScan fingerprint reports and the electronic transmission of other required forms
submitted by school districts, including issue requests, are now targeted for November 2003.
Continuation of the Priority Processing Procedures
Please let us know here in the Bureau the needs in your district relating to certification.
Special priority processing for complete applications will be given upon a district’s
request as follows:
1.
?
Automatic Priority
Completed applications are processed in less than 30 days of receipt of the cleared fingerprint
report and issue request form or release of a hold from PPS/EPC.
2.
?
Email Jean Morgan – Send SS# and Request Priority Processing
•
Files that were not complete when fingerprint reports and issue requests were received but
now, after you have reviewed the database, all required documents have been received.
•
?
Complete applications for additions for teachers who are out-of-field or must meet NCLB
requirements.
•
?
Complete applications for Educational Leadership for administrator pool candidates.
•
?
Any other priority need for a certificate or information for your employees.
Page 3
