TITLE

Alternative Certificate, State Board of Education Visiting Scholar Certificate

DESCRIPTION

Currently, Kansas bases certification on the completion of state-approved programs. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 grade point scale is required for all initial certificates issued after Sept. 1, 1985. Kansas does not base certification on a transcript analysis and is a member of the Central States Exchange Agreement (Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin).

The State Board has adopted the following:

Alternative Certificate, State Board of Education Visiting Scholar Certificate -- This program would seek to tap the human resources found at the state's 22 IHEs, several military bases, and technology-based industries, targeting individuals with exceptional talent and/or outstanding distinction in an academic field. If an LEA identified an individual or the individual expressed an interest, the LEA could submit supporting documentation to the Commissioner of Education. Documentation includes an advanced course of study or extensive training in the area of certification requested; outstanding distinction or exceptional talent in the field of certification requested; significant recent occupational experience which is related to the field of certification. After review, the Commissioner could order issuance of a special certificate, valid for one year, specifying subjects the holder would be authorized to teach.