Teacher Relicensure

The Minnesota Association of Charter Schools (MACS) convenes a teacher relicensure committee that meets several times each year to review applications for relicensure for current and retired charter school educators. Much like a district-wide relicensure committee, the charter school relicensure committee is certified to review and endorse relicensure requests from charter school educators.

Minnesota Charter Schools Relicensure Committee

In order to gain relicensure, educators are required to gain an endorsement from a Relicensure Committee. Charter school educators should submit their clock hour activities for renewal to the Minnesota Charter Schools Relicensure Committee following the procedure listed below. This service is free for educators from MACS member schools. As of July 1, 2007, the fee for educators from nonmember schools who join MACS individual membership is $25 per teacher (in addition to the $25 membership fee), payable to MACS. This fee is separate from the $57.00 processing fee required of all applicants by the Minnesota Department of Education.

Teachers who are retired, are not currently employed in a charter school, or are not currently teaching, contact the MACS Office at 651-789-3090 for policy clarification regarding eligibility.

Meetings are held from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM at the MACS Office. All clock hour activity materials (and fees if applicable) must be received by the specified deadline in order for applications to be reviewed by the committee.

Important Notice for Teachers: please, make sure to submit your materials before the final deadline of April 30th. You must have your materials submitted by this date, especially if your license will expire in June, 2008.

Important Notice regarding surrendering of license: If you plan to surrender one of your licenses, you must do so at least six months in advance, or you will be required to renew all of your licenses that spring.

Submitting Clock Hours for Approval

The Relicensure Committee has a new policy regarding the submission of clock hours. If you want the committee to review clock hours for approval and your license does not expire June, 2008, you need to submit at least 50 clock hours at a time for the committee to review. Also, you may only submit clock hours once a year for review.

• Documenting Continuing Education Hours - Complete a Clock Hour Submission Form for each class, in-service, or activity you've attended. Attach a Certificate of Participation to the clock hour submission form. Also, please complete the Continuing Education/Relicensure Master Record Form. These forms are also available under Relicensure Forms. [Please note that submissions which do not include a completed Master Record Form will be seen as incomplete and will not be considered.]

Submitting an Application for Renewal

Five-Year Relicensure Checklist - Prior to the expiration date of your license, please complete the following process for relicensure:

• Continuing Education Units - Prior to May 15th of the relicensure year, obtain 125 hours of continuing education units in the area of licensure. As a reminder, the Minnesota Department of Education requires at least 30 continuing education hours in each area of licensure, plus education hours in graduation standards, positive behavioral intervention strategies, and additional preparation in providing reading instruction and assistance to students. Renewal applicants are also required to show at least 2 hours of activity in early onset mental illness for children & adolescents. These 125 hours must be earned within the previous five years. Note: Teachers of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing must have 60 of the 125 hours in ASL or Deaf Culture.

• Documenting Continuing Education Hours - Complete a Clock Hour Submission Form for each class, in-service, or activity you've attended. Attach a Certificate of Participation to the clock hour submission form. Also, please complete the Continuing Education/Relicensure Master Record Form. These forms are also available under Relicensure Forms. [*Please note that submissions which do not include a completed Master Record Form will be seen as incomplete and will not be considered.]

• Current License Copy - Submit a copy of your current license with your application form. Please do not send your original teaching license. A copy of your license can be obtained by visiting the Department of Education web site, under the Educator Licensing Division section.

• Minnesota Charter School Relicensure Committee - Prior to the Relicensure Committee meeting, submit a copy of your license, your Clock Hour Submission Form, and your Continuing Education /Relicensure Master Record Form. Teachers from non-member schools must also complete the Individual Membership application information and appropriate fees. Faxed submissions will not be accepted. Mail your packet of information by the deadline listed in the table above to:
  • Minnesota Association of Charter Schools
    ATTN: Relicensure Committee
    351 E. Kellogg Blvd.
    St. Paul, MN 55101
• Minnesota Department of Education -If the Relicensure Committee endorses your application, there is a new process to be followed for completing your application. The MN Department of Education has switched to an online application process. Please do not submit a paper application to our committee - we will contact you after the committee has reviewed your file for the appropriate instructions on completing your application online.
  

Please send a pre-addressed envelope with proper postage to have your relicensure materials returned. Applicants can also pick up their materials from the MACS office during business hours: M-F, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Application materials will be sent out from the MACS office within five business days after the Relicensure Committee meeting.

Please email Margaret Uttke at margaret@mncharterschools.org if you have any questions.