Mo. Code Regs. tit. 5 § 20-400.125

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 1, January 2, 2025

Section 5 CSR 20-400.125 - Actions of the State Board of Education Relating to Applications for Educator Certificates

PURPOSE: The State Board of Education is authorized to grant educator certification in any of the public schools of the state and to establish requirements and qualifications for those certificates. This rule establishes procedures for review of applications of individuals convicted of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude, whether or not sentence is imposed; applicants whose certificate of license to teach has been revoked in Missouri or in another jurisdiction; and applicants seeking to appeal a denial of a certificate of license to teach by the Office of Educator Quality.

(1) Any application for a certificate of license to teach (certificate) for an individual who has pleaded to or has been found guilty of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude, whether or not sentence is imposed, including candidates for a Missouri educator certificate who are currently enrolled in professional education courses in conjunction with state-approved teacher preparation programs, shall be reviewed by the Office of Educator Quality within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (department) and recommendations made to the State Board of Education (board).

(A) If requested, applicants shall provide the following:

1. Information relating to being found guilty, a plea of guilty which includes an Alford plea, receipt of a suspended imposition of sentence, receipt of a suspended execution of sentence, or entering a plea of nolo contendere for any violation of any laws of a state, the United States, or any other country, other than a traffic violation; including information about the date of the court action, the applicant's age at the time of the underlying offense, the facts of the crime, and whether the conduct that was the basis for the conviction was in the scope of the applicant's duties while employed by a public or private school or school district; and

2. A statement or other related documentation as to rehabilitative steps completed by the applicant relating to applicant's criminal conduct.

(B) The Office of Educator Quality shall review all applications.

1. A complete application shall include:

A. Information regarding teaching certificates or similar titles and/or other professional licenses or similar titles held, including, but not limited to, disciplinary actions, denials, restrictions, revocations, voluntary surrenders, suspensions, reprimands, and/or investigations;

B. A consent authorizing the department, as it deems necessary or appropriate, to make contact with, interview, consult, obtain documentation and verification from other persons and sources within or without Missouri with respect to the applicant and the applicant's request for certification;

C. Transcripts and other evidence necessary to show compliance with all the requirements for certification that are in effect at the time application for certification or recertification is made;

D. Other information including recent employment and references requested by the department that may be deemed relevant to the request for recertification;

E. A completed background check processed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) and/or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI);

F. Information relating to any criminal history including being found guilty, a plea of guilty, receipt of a suspended imposition of sentence, receipt of a suspended execution of sentence, or entering a plea of nolo contendere for any violation of any laws of a state, the United States, or any other country, other than a traffic violation; including information about the date of the court action, the applicant's age at the time of the underlying offense, the facts of the crime, and whether the conduct that was the basis for the conviction was in the scope of the applicant's duties while employed by a public or private school or school district; and

G. A statement as to rehabilitative steps completed by the applicant relating to applicant's criminal conduct.

2. The Office of Educator Quality may issue a certificate based on standards adopted by the board; or

3. The Office of Educator Quality may deny an application. If the application is denied, the applicant may appeal to the commissioner; or

4. Applicants who have been convicted of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude, whether or not sentence is imposed, who have neither been denied nor issued a certificate by the Office of Educator Quality, shall be placed on the agenda of the board as soon as reasonably possible after submitting a complete application. The applicant will be notified of the date, time, and place of the board meeting. Consideration by the board will consist of a review of the application and additional documents. The applicant will not have the opportunity to present additional evidence or testify. The applicant will be notified in writing of the decision of the board. Certification may only be issued upon motion of the board adopted by an unanimous affirmative vote of those members present and voting.

(2) Any application for an educator certificate submitted by an individual who has been subject to previous disciplinary action by the board or by a licensing authority in another state or political jurisdiction shall only be granted by affirmative vote of the board.

(A) An application must be complete to go to the board. A completed application shall include:

1. Information regarding teaching certificates or similar titles and/or other professional licenses or similar titles held, including but not limited to, disciplinary actions, denials, restrictions, revocations, voluntary surrenders, suspensions, reprimands, and/or investigations;

2. A consent authorizing the department, as it deems necessary or appropriate, to make contact with, interview, consult, obtain documentation and verification from other persons and sources within or without Missouri with respect to the applicant, and the applicant's request for certification;

3. Transcripts and other evidence necessary to show compliance with all the requirements for certification that are in effect at the time application for certification or recertification is made;

4. Other information including recent employment and references requested by the department that may be deemed relevant to the request for certification or recertification; and

5. A completed background check processed by the MSHP and/or the FBI.

(B) The completed application shall be placed on the agenda of the board as soon as reasonably possible. The applicant will be notified of the date, time, and place of the board meeting. Consideration by the board will consist of a record review of the application and related documents. The applicant will not have the opportunity to present additional evidence or testify. The applicant will be notified in writing of the decision of the board.

(3) Applicants who are denied by the Office of Educator Quality will be advised in writing of the reason(s) why certification is denied and at the same time will receive notice of the process for appeal.

(A) The applicant, within thirty (30) days of receipt of written notice of denial, may request the commissioner of education to review the decision of the Office of Educator Quality. The applicant shall provide all docu- mentation to be considered by the commis- sioner of education or a designee in reviewing the application.

(B) The commissioner of education will notify the applicant in writing of the decision.

(C) If the commissioner of education approves the decision of the Office of Educator Quality in denying certification, the applicant, within thirty (30) days from the date the com- missioner sends written notice of the decision, may file a written notice of appeal with the board by addressing the notice to the secretary of the State Board of Education, PO Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480. In addition to stating the applicant's desire to appeal the denial of certification, the notice shall include a statement of each reason the applicant relies upon to demonstrate support for the reversal of denial.

(D) The applicant's appeal shall be placed on the agenda of the board as soon as reason- ably possible. The applicant will be notified of the date, time, and place of the board meeting.

(E) The appeal will consist of a record review of the application, related materials reviewed by the commissioner of education, and the applicant's additional statements. The applicant will not have the opportunity to pre- sent additional evidence or testify. The appli- cant will be notified in writing of the decision of the board.

(4) Applications denied by the board are subject to judicial review by the circuit court.

5 CSR 20-400.125

AUTHORITY: sections 161.092 and 168.021, RSMo Supp. 2012, and section 168.011, RSMo 2000.* Original rule filed Feb. 27, 2013, effective Sept. 30, 2013.

Amended by Missouri Register June 1, 2016/Volume 41, Number 11, effective 7/31/2016

*Original authority: 161.092, RSMo 1963, amended 1973, 2002, 2003; 168.011, RSMo 1963, amended 1984; and 168.021, RSMo 1963, amended 1973, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2011.