In these tough budgetary times, when educators are facing possible job cuts, this is no time to let your certification expire.

While completing certification requirements within the mandated five years has never been easy, there have recently been headlines around the state about educators being warned or suspended without pay for failure to maintain certification.

It appears some districts are cracking down more seriously, or are taking a closer look at certification status as they consider possible job reductions to balance the budget. In addition, districts are accountable for certification under the No Child Left Behind act.

Compounding the problem is the fact that there is now a 15- to 20-week backlog to process applications due to SED staff reductions. NYSUT staffers noted some members are mistakenly waiting until the last minute to file paperwork or try to call the State Education Department.

Recently NYSUT members have reported getting e-mails from SED saying the department cannot respond to e-mails. Others have reported difficulty dealing with SED's TEACH helpline (518-486-6041) for those having trouble with the online service.

In addition, some applicants who renewed provisional certfication during a one-time amnesty period when the regulations last changed on Feb. 2, 2004, just hit the five-year renewal deadline and failed to finish requirements.

To help members meet certfication requirements, NYSUT's Research and Educational Services Department offers video conferencing for new members and has posted a series of updated Information Bulletins at www.nysut.org to help teachers and teaching assistants through the confusing maze of certification requirements.

NYSUT's certification page is on the Web site under "Pre-K-12 educators/credentials." The page includes links to the State Education Department's online certification application and database system, TEACH.

The TEACH system is a secure online resource accessible to all New York state-certified personnel and applicants. Once you log on and establish your password-protected account, TEACH allows users to review their certification records on file with SED's Office of Teaching Initiatives.

Registered users should review this information for accuracy to streamline the application process. Keep in mind records for applicants prior to March 14, 2006, may be incomplete and members may need to resubmit transcripts or other documents.

A NYSUT CD that includes updated information on certification will be distributed at the union's Representative Assembly next month.

What's required

As of Feb. 2, 2004, major changes occurred in certification for teachers and teaching assistants. Aside from having to earn a master's degree within five years, applicants for a professional teaching certificate must submit proof of three years of teaching experience with the first year as a mentored teaching experience. For other requirements, see the NYSUT certification page.

If you're in trouble or get a warning letter from your district, talk to your local union president. In some districts the union is notified of expired certificates, but often there is no notification. Time extensions are possible but not guaranteed.

The bottom line, NYSUT certification experts said, is to know what the deadlines are and get it done. The clock started ticking on the effective day listed on your provision/initial certificate — not your first day of employment. Beware of online master's degree programs that are not pre-approved by SED. And give yourself plenty of time to submit transcripts and required verification.

As always, NYSUT members are strongly urged to maintain a personal certification file, including paper copies of all transcripts, certificates and communications.

Contact Sylvia Saunders at ssaunder@nysutmail.org