March 2008 — News
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K-12 Online Teaching Endorsements: Ohio Department of Education Perspectives
Deubel: Does the ODE have any plans for adding a category for an endorsement in teaching online, which might be added to an Ohio teaching license? In particular, if there are plans, what criteria must be fulfilled by the candidate in terms of professional development that would qualify him/her for such an endorsement?
Troyer: We don't have any plans right now, probably because online schools are relatively new in Ohio. We do have an Educator Standards Board that would study issues and make recommendations for adding endorsements.
Deubel: Hypothetically speaking, if the ODE did add an endorsement program in online teaching, how might this affect changes in the ODE for administering the program (e.g., new administrative office created, new staff, funding, new professional development offerings, new liaisons with colleges/universities for course developments and online student teaching experiences, and so on)?
Troyer: We probably would not need to add staff, but adding such an endorsement would create more work. We have an Office of Educator Preparation that would take responsibility for developing an endorsement program. Staff would work with faculty and teachers who have expertise in that area to set up standards for the program. They'd begin by reviewing what other states are doing. Creating this new endorsement could require colleges and universities to create new courses. We would make contact with higher education providers for course development meeting new standards. Most likely any higher education provider would be interested in knowing if there is sufficient student interest for making it worthwhile economically to pursue program development. And, yes, that eventually would add to expenses for those who take the courses.
Deubel: From your perspective, do you think that endorsements are really needed?
Troyer: I know online learning is increasing, so this is a policy question that deserves study. One question would be whether such an endorsement would be mandatory for all online teachers. If you create an endorsement that is mandatory, teachers would need it to teach online and that would limit the number of teachers who could fill online teaching positions. Another option would be to make it optional, so teachers could earn the endorsement if they wanted to but would not be required to hold the endorsement to teach online courses. Teachers of online courses should certainly have the necessary skills for teaching such courses. Is this better accomplished through a mandatory endorsement, through professional development, or some other strategy?
As to the NEA position statement on distance education, states do have reciprocity for teaching licenses; however, we don't do reciprocity with all states because requirements also vary for getting those licenses. Some states have minimal requirements.
