Proficiency Evaluation Route for Additional Teacher Certification

 Step 1: Take the Required Praxis II Exam

Important: A passing score is required before certification recommendation.

Link to Praxis Registration: ETS Praxis Requirements

At the time of registering to take the exam, be sure WKU and EPSB are selected to receive scores.

 Step 2: Submit Admission Application

The candidate will submit an inquiry form. After an initial review of the inquiry form, the candidate will receive notification to submit the following documents and complete the requirements listed below.

Sumbit a Proficiency Evaluation Inquiry Form for Additional Certification.

Submit the non-refundable $250 payment to Office of Professional Educator Services.

• Submit money order or cashier’s check to:

Office of Professional Educator Services
Western Kentucky University
1906 College Heights Blvd. #61031
Bowling Green, KY 42104

 Step 3: Submit Digital Portfolio Evidence

Candidates are required to construct an electronic portfolio using a platform such as Google Sites or another approved platform. The portfolio must be well-organized and professional, demonstrating mastery of all the Kentucky Teacher Performance Standards (KTPS) and their subcomponents. Each subcomponent requires 2-4 pieces of strong evidence showing how the candidate has clearly demonstrated each indicator.

Additional Standards for Specific Certifications:

• Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education Certification
  • Kentucky's Infant and Early Childhood Standards
• Special Education in Learning Behavior Disorder Certification
  • Initial Special Education Preparation Standards
• TESOL Certification
  • TESOL Standards/Domains
• Literacy Specialist certification
  • National Literacy Standards

Portfolio Artifacts

Prepare and submit a professional teaching portfolio.

View Portfolio Guidelines

Portfolio Submission

• The candidate submits the portfolio to teacher.certification@wku.edu.

 Step 4: Committee Review

Committee Review

The committee will review all portfolio evidence to assess proficiency and determine a recommendation. The committee’s recommendation will be sent to the Director of the School of Teacher Education following the Proficiency Evaluation Window Review Deadlines.

Semester	Submission Deadline	Committee Decision
Fall	October 1st	December 15th
Spring	March 1st	May 15th
Summer	June 1st	August 1st

Submission Instructions

• Candidates must submit their portfolios to: teacher.certification@wku.edu.

Committee Formation and Review

• The Director of the School of Teacher Education will form a committee and appoint a chairperson to review the portfolio evidence.
• The committee may interview the candidate as part of the decision-making process. Interviews may be conducted electronically or by phone.

Committee Decision

After reviewing all portfolio evidence, the committee will decide whether to admit the candidate to the proficiency evaluation program. The decision will be documented using the Committee Review Decision form.

• If not recommended for admission: Candidates will be referred to apply for admission to the appropriate traditional route program. For more information, visit the School of Teacher Education Programs.

• If recommended for admission: An Educator Learning Plan (ELP) will be created, outlining the requirements needed to complete the program.

Educator Learning Plan (ELP)

• The Educator Learning Plan will be sent to the candidate for acceptance and will be submitted to the Director of the School of Teacher Education for approval.
• The Educator Learning Plan will include at least three hours for the required practicum class. Additional coursework or fieldwork may be requested by the committee based on the portfolio review.
• All additional coursework/fieldwork must be completed at WKU.

Completion Timeline

• The candidate will have up to two years to complete the ELP requirements, including any required Praxis II exams and the PLT exam (if applicable).

• Upon agreement and signature of the ELP by the candidate, the candidate will be admitted to the OELE (EPSB).

Eligibility for Employment

• A letter will be issued stating the candidate is eligible for employment as a candidate in WKU’s Proficiency Evaluation program.

Temporary Provisional Certificate

• If a school district wishes to hire the candidate, they may apply for a one-year temporary provisional certificate. This certificate is renewable for one additional year while the candidate completes the ELP requirements.
• The Proficiency Evaluation timeline cannot exceed two years from the date of ELP approval.

 Step 5: Field/Clinical Experience

Practicum Course Requirement

Additional certification candidates may or may not be required to complete a practicum or fieldwork, depending on their prior teaching experience.

Previous Experience Considered

• The committee will review your portfolio to determine if your past teaching hours and clinical experiences meet the requirements.
  • No Additional Fieldwork Required – If your portfolio provides sufficient evidence, no further field experience will be necessary.
  • Additional Fieldwork May Be Assigned – If gaps are identified, the committee will outline necessary clinical experiences in your Educator Learning Plan (ELP).

For Full-Time Teachers:

• If you are currently teaching, special arrangements will allow you to complete requirements in your own classroom.
  

For Candidates Not Currently Teaching:

• WKU will coordinate placement in an appropriate school for required clinical experiences.
• Partnerships with local P-12 schools and new teacher academies may provide additional support.

 Step 6: Program Exit & Certification

Completion of the Educator Learning Plan

Once you have successfully completed all requirements outlined in your Educator Learning Plan (ELP), you will be eligible to exit the WKU Proficiency Evaluation program and apply for certification.

Final Steps to Certification

1. ELP Completion Review – The committee chairperson will evaluate your ELP, including any required practicum or clinical experiences.
2. Exit Form Submission – The chairperson will submit the Proficiency Evaluation Exit Form to the Office of Professional Educator Services (OPES).
3. Certification Application – You will complete the CA-1 application for certification.
4. Official Submission – OPES will upload both the Exit Form and your CA-1 application to the Office of Educator Licensure and Effectiveness (OELE/EPSB) on your behalf.

Exiting the WKU Proficiency Evaluation Program

Once processed, you will be officially eligible for certification in your additional endorsement area.