Many teachers have had questions about earning CEUs for renewal of their Professional Educator Certificates.  Below you will find clarification about earning CEUs.

Reading CEU Requirement

The reading CEU requirement applies only to teachers who hold and teach under an early childhood (N-3) or elementary certificate (K-6, K-8, preK-8, etc.)  If a teacher holds more than one endorsement on a certificate, for example, both an elementary and a subject area secondary, and doesn’t teach under the elementary endorsement, he/she doesn’t have to earn the reading CEUs unless his/her assignment is changed to a position that requires the elementary endorsement.

Technology CEU Requirement

The technology CEU requirement (use of computers in the classroom) applies to teachers who hold and teach under an elementary, middle, or secondary endorsement.  Districts have had the option to develop a process teachers can use to demonstrate technology proficiency and have the CEU requirement waived (the district would have to attest to the fact that the teacher is proficient).  The process has to be aligned with the teacher technology competencies, click here for more info.The State Department of Education (SDE) also developed a self-assessment tool for teachers to use to determine their skill level; the performance indicators are defined in 3 levels in this document, with all 3 levels indicating proficiency.  This self-assessment tool could be the main basis for showing proficiency, with “evidence” to substantiate it.

Districts are not required to offer CEU activities in reading or technology.  The law specifically states that the district is responsible for offering teachers the opportunity to earn 18 hours of CEU credit per year at no cost to the teacher.  That’s it.  The district can offer the activities in any form it wants to, at any time it wants to, but it does not have to specifically offer activities in the areas of reading and computers.  Teachers can also earn CEU credit through other state-approved CEU providers, or by applying to their district to earn CEU equivalents in a program the district approves.

CEA/CEU Partner Program

If other options fail, teachers who are interested in earning their reading or technology CEUs can work with the CEA/CEU Partner Program.  This is an easy way for local associations to sponsor appropriate professional development activities (not necessarily just workshops) for their members and work with CEA to do the paperwork so that CEA becomes their CEU provider.  Click here for more information about this option.

How to Renew

Years ago, when Connecticut was converting to the 3-tiered certification system and the first renewal of professional certificates took place, many districts “batch processed” renewal applications for their staff.  The district assured it had the forms on hand for teachers, collected the forms from everyone, signed off on them, and sent them to the SDE.  That may not be the case in 2009, since Connecticut no longer has as many teachers who need to renew at that time.  It is up to each district to decide if it wants to offer that service to its staff.  Teachers in districts that don’t offer it can find complete information about how to renew, including a link to the paperwork from the SDE, here.