Proficiency Evaluation Route for School Administrator Certifications

 Step 1: Submit Your Inquiry Form

Complete the Proficiency Evaluation Inquiry Form for Administrator Certification.

Submit your inquiry form to initiate the application process.

 Step 2: Application & Admission Requirements

Before you apply, make sure you have:

• Passing scores on the School Leader Licensure Exam
• Three letters of recommendation (submit to teacher.certification@wku.edu)

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

• $250 – Adding an additional administrative certificate
• $500 – Initial Principal certification
• 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

Submit Your Application

• Email your application to the School of Leadership and Professional Studies (SLPS).

• Complete and submit the Proficiency Evaluation Planning Sheet.

  • A faculty member will review your submission and provide feedback on your portfolio requirements.

Provide Letters of Recommendation

Submit three letters of recommendation that highlight your:

• Creativity
• Collaboration skills
• Communication abilities

Email letters to teacher.certification@wku.edu.

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 Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL). Portfolio artifacts/evidence should show how the candidate has clearly demonstrated each standard. 

Include Strong Evidence & Artifacts

Your portfolio should include artifacts that demonstrate proficiency in each PSEL standard. Examples of strong evidence may include:

• Lesson plans or instructional materials
• Leadership initiatives or policy development
• Performance evaluations or feedback
• Multimedia features (videos, presentations, etc.)

Work with a Faculty Advisor

A faculty advisor, assigned by the Department Chair, will:

• Provide guidance on portfolio development
• Offer feedback on how to showcase proficiency in PSEL
• Help ensure your portfolio meets certification expectations

Submit Your Portfolio for Review

• Send your completed portfolio directly to the committee chairperson.
• The committee may request additional documentation for clarification.

Clearly Explain Your Evidence

Important: The committee will not make assumptions about your work. You must:

• Clearly connect each artifact to a PSEL standard
• Provide a written narrative explaining how your evidence demonstrates mastery

By ensuring your portfolio is organized, well-documented, and clearly aligned with PSEL, you’ll set yourself up for a successful review!

 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

Committee Composition & Review

Your submission will be evaluated by at least two committee members, including your designated advisor/chairperson. During the review, the committee may:

• Request a meeting to clarify points or discuss your portfolio further (via phone or video call).
• Final recommendation: The committee will decide whether to admit you to the Proficiency Evaluation Program.

Admission Decision

• Admitted Candidates:

  • An Educator Learning Plan (ELP) will be created and sent to you for approval.
  • The ELP may include coursework or fieldwork requirements based on your portfolio review.
  • You’ll have up to two years to complete the ELP and the School Leader Licensure Exam.
• Non-Admitted Candidates:

  • If you are not admitted, you will be referred to apply for a traditional route program.

Provisional Certification

Once admitted, you will be eligible for a temporary provisional certificate if hired by a school district.

• The certificate is renewable for one additional year while you complete the ELP requirements.
• Completion Deadline: All requirements must be fulfilled within two years from the date of ELP approval.

 Step 5: Field/Clinical Experience

Fieldwork/Practicum Requirement

• Fieldwork or practicum may be required based on your Educator Learning Plan (ELP).
• If required, special arrangements will be made to accommodate candidates in different teaching situations.

Candidates Teaching Full-Time

• Candidates with a temporary provisional certificate teaching full-time may meet the fieldwork requirements directly within their own classroom setting.

Candidates Not Teaching Full-Time

• WKU will help arrange an appropriate school setting for completing clinical requirements for those not teaching full-time.

Previous Experience Consideration

• The committee will review your prior teaching hours and clinical experiences.
• Additional observation hours, clinical experiences, or coursework with embedded practicums may be recommended as part of your ELP.

 Step 6: Program Exit & Certification

ELP Completion Review

• After successfully completing the Educator Learning Plan (ELP), the committee chairperson will assess your progress and verify the satisfactory completion of all components, including the practicum course and clinical experience.

Proficiency Evaluation Exit Form

• The chairperson will submit the Proficiency Evaluation Exit Form to the Office of Professional Educator Services (OPES).

Application for Certification

• Upon exiting the WKU Proficiency Evaluation Program, you are eligible to apply for certification.

Completing the CA-1 Application

• Complete the CA-1 application.
• OPES will upload the Exit Form and CA-1 application to OELE (EPSB) on your behalf.