FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Chairman
Members
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
DR. AKSHAY DESAI
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
LINDA K. TAYLOR
Jeanine Blomberg
Commissioner of Education
Contact Information:
Marian Lambeth
(850)245-0627
Marian.lambeth@fldoe.org
K12: 2007-49
MEMORANDUM
TO:
District Superintendents
FROM:
Cheri Pierson Yecke, Ph.D.
DATE:
March 2, 2007
SUBJECT:
Bureau of Professional Practices Services (BPPS) New Webpage
Today, the Department has launched a new webpage to give the general public a better idea of
the duties and responsibilities of the Bureau of Professional Practices Services (BPPS). The
webpage includes a section of frequently asked questions, a link to the Bureau of Educator
Certification (BEC) certificate lookup page, information for mandatory abuse reporters, and
contact information for school district offices.
Beginning next school year, the Department of Education will offer a searchable database for
disciplinary actions taken against an educator certificate. This easily accessible information will
be a valuable tool for employers as well as parents. We will also increase our effort to make
available resources and systematic training to your district staff on the code of ethics and the
principles of professional conduct.
An important feature in the secured certification database, which is accessible by all public
school districts, has recently been completed. This new addition allows each district to view
actual correspondence from BPPS to school districts and the BEC.
CHERI PIERSON YECKE, PH.D.
CHANCELLOR, K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS
325 W. GAINES STREET • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0505 • www.fldoe.org
Bureau of Professional Practices Services (BPPS) New Webpage
March 2, 2007
Page Two
While it is important to note that open investigations are confidential and those specific
documents are not available, the information to help you make informed employment decisions
is. One of the features of the certification system is the placement of holds on an individual’s
application or certificate. One of the holds you may see is an administrative hold. This hold is
placed for multiple reasons, one of which may be an ongoing investigation in BPPS. When you
see an administrative hold on the BEC secured system, we encourage you to contact the previous
employers to determine if there was disciplinary action taken against that employee. If you are
the current employer or the employer at the time of the alleged misconduct, you may contact the
Bureau of Professional Practices for additional information.
Superintendents and other district personnel are encouraged to access this resource to their
advantage. If you have suggestions on how the BPPS can better serve the needs of your district
or if the BPPS may be of assistance to you, do not hesitate to contact the BPPS at 850-245-0438.
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