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In the evolving landscape of education, the significance of accurately documenting teaching experience cannot be overstressed, especially in the context of licensing and career advancement. The Tennessee Ed2034A form emerges as a pivotal document in this regard, designed specifically for educators aiming to transition from preliminary licensure stages to a full professional status within the state's education system. This detailed form serves as a conduit for this transition, mandating current or previous employers such as Superintendents, Headmasters, Agency Directors, or designated personnel officers (excluding Principals unless specified) to furnish comprehensive information regarding an educator's tenure and roles. It meticulously records an educator's experience outside the Tennessee state data system, marking annual teaching engagements from July 1 to June 30, including the type of school (public, private, charter, or U.S. Government Service Teaching Program), providing an avenue for both local and international experience to be credibly acknowledged, subject to conditions of accreditation. Furthermore, the form emphasizes the necessity for the experience to be verified, laying down specific criteria for teaching experience to be considered valid towards the professional licensure, thereby encapsulating a significant process for educators within Tennessee aiming for professional growth and validation of their instructional commitments.

Example - Tennessee Ed2034A Form

The information listed below is to be completed by the current or previous employer (Superintendent, Headmaster, AgencyDirector, or Designated Personnel Officer). Principals are not authorized to sign this form unless they are the designated personnel officer.

Use one line for each change in status. Do not include leave of absence periods.

Only include experience that is not in the TN state data system.

Name of Educator: ________________________________________________Social Security Number: _________________________

Information below to be completed by the SCHOOL SYSTEM where the teaching was performed.

Experience Record: Please list experience yearly, each year on a separate line, beginning with July 1 and ending June 30.

Name

School

Position

 

Fiscal Year, July 01 - June 30

Time Employed

% Time,

of

System

and

State

Beginning Date

Ending Date

Months / Days

Ex. Part-time,

School

 

Grade Level

 

Month/Day/Year

Month/Day/Year

Per Year

Full-time

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

Days in

School Year

Check one of the following:

Public School

Private School *

Charter School *

U.S. Government Service Teaching Program *

** Please note: If non-public school you must identify accreditation.

The above school, school system was fully approved or accredited by the

____________________________________________________________________ at the time the service was performed.

(State Department of Education, or Regional Association of Colleges & Schools, or recognized private school accrediting association)

I hereby certify that the above listed experience is a true and correct copy of the records on file for the educator named above.

(This form must be signed by an authorized official from the agency/institution as stated above.)

Signature _______________________________________________

Title_______________________

Phone Number _________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

StreetCityStateZip Code

Email Address ____________________________________________________________

Date ________________________________________________

 

___

ED2034a

REV 2-18-16

To advance from an initial license (transitional, apprentice, practitioner) to the professional license, teachers and school service personnel must demonstrate experience working in an appropriate pre-K-12 instructional setting during the validity period1 of the license. The list below identifies the options for meeting the experience requirements. Any combination of the options is satisfactory. The burden of proof rests with the educator.

To meet the criteria for advancement, the educator must present documentation of three years of working experience. In total, the experience must be no less than twenty-five months of full-time work of which at least one year (10 months) must have been within a Tennessee public or non-public school. To receive credit for experience outside of Tennessee, the educator must have held a valid license while teaching in the state or country where the experience was accrued. Other types of experience may be used for the purposes of salary ratings. For example, a local education agency may elect to give an engineer credit for the years spent working in that field prior to becoming a teacher. However, that type of experience is not counted for purpose of advancing to a professional license.

Experience that may be counted for the purpose of licensure advancement:

1.Verified instructional leader or teacher experience in a public school operated by a local education agency in the United States or United States Territories.

2.Verified instructional leader or teacher experience in public schools or non-public schools approved by recognized accrediting agencies. (Accrediting or approval agencies are the State Departments of Education and/or any accreditation division of AdvancED:

the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI)

the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC)

the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI)

the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA)

the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

any accrediting association recognized by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Commission on Accreditation (e.g., the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS)) or the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA) according to the procedures and criteria established by the association)

3.Verified instructional leader or teacher experience in pre-K-12 schools or any combination thereof operated by the United States Government either within or outside the United States.

4.Verified instructional leader or teacher experience in an international public or private schools (pre-K-12) approved or authorized by a foreign ministry of education (or equivalent entity).

1The validity period of the license are the dates during which the license is valid.

Form Breakdown

Fact Name Description
Form Purpose The Tennessee ED2034A form is used to document teaching experience that is not already in the TN state data system, to support the advancement from an initial teaching license to a professional license.
Authorized Signatory The form must be signed only by an authorized official from the current or previous employer, such as a Superintendent, Headmaster, Agency Director, or Designated Personnel Officer. Principals can sign only if they are the designated personnel officer.
Experience Record Details Experience must be listed yearly, covering the period from July 1 through June 30 of each fiscal year, excluding leaves of absence, to accurately reflect the actual teaching or instructional experience gained.
Governing Law for Experience Verification The form facilitates the verification of teaching experience for licensure advancement under Tennessee law, acknowledging experience in public and non-public schools that are fully approved or accredited by recognized agencies, including, but not limited to, the State Department of Education, Regional Association of Colleges & Schools, or other recognized private school accrediting association.

Detailed Instructions for Filling Out Tennessee Ed2034A

Filling out the Tennessee Ed2034A form is a crucial step for educators seeking to advance their licenses or to document teaching experience accurately for salary ratings. This form is specifically designed to capture teaching experience outside the TN state data system, underlining the importance of meticulous record-keeping by schools and educational institutions. The process involves confirming the educator's identity, detailing their teaching experience, and ensuring the form is certified by an authorized official. By following the steps outlined below, educators and administrators can ensure the form is completed accurately and in compliance with Tennessee's Department of Education requirements.

  1. Identify the authorized official who can certify the educator's experience. This person must be the Superintendent, Headmaster, Agency Director, or Designated Personnel Officer. Principals can only sign if they are the designated personnel officer.
  2. In the section labeled "Name of Educator," provide the full name of the teacher whose experience is being recorded.
  3. Enter the educator's Social Security Number in the designated space.
  4. Under the "Experience Record," list each year of the educator's teaching experience separately. Start with the most recent year and work backward. For each year, you will need to include:
    • The name of the school where the teaching took place.
    • The position held by the educator.
    • The fiscal year, marked from July 1 to June 30.
    • The beginning and ending dates of employment in the Month/Day/Year format.
    • The percentage of time employed (e.g., Part-time, Full-time).
    • Determine the total days in the school year that the educator worked.
  5. Select the type of school where the experience was gained (Public School, Private School, Charter School, or U.S. Government Service Teaching Program). It's critical to identify the accreditation if the school is a non-public institution.
  6. In the accreditation section, accurately list the name of the accrediting body recognized at the time the service was performed. This information is crucial for verifying the legitimacy of the teaching experience.
  7. The authorized official must then certify the accuracy of the listed experience by signing the form. Include their title, phone number, and email address for possible follow-up or verification.
  8. Complete the form by adding the official address of the school or educational agency and dating the document.

Once the form is fully completed and signed, it should be submitted according to the Tennessee Department of Education's guidelines. This may involve sending it directly to the department, attaching it to an application for licensure advancement, or retaining it within the educator's professional records for future reference. The importance of this document cannot be overstated, as it validates teaching experience that is crucial for career advancement within the state's education system.

More About Tennessee Ed2034A

What is the purpose of the Tennessee Ed2034A form?

The Tennessee Ed2034A form is used to document a teacher's or school service personnel's work experience that is necessary for advancing from an initial license (i.e., transitional, apprentice, practitioner) to a professional license. It collects detailed information about teaching positions held outside the Tennessee state data system, to verify eligibility based on experience during the validity period of the initial license.

Who is required to complete the Tennessee Ed2034A form?

The form must be completed by the current or previous employer of the educator seeking license advancement. Specifically, this responsibility falls on the Superintendent, Headmaster, Agency Director, or Designated Personnel Officer of the school system where the teaching was performed. Principals can only sign the form if they are the designated personnel officer.

Which types of teaching experience are counted toward licensure advancement?

Several types of teaching experiences qualify for the advancement of a teaching license in Tennessee. These include:

  1. Verified instructional leader or teacher experience in public schools operated by a local education agency in the U.S. or U.S. Territories.
  2. Experience in public or non-public schools approved by recognized accrediting agencies mentioned in the form.
  3. Experience in pre-K-12 schools or any combination thereof operated by the U.S. Government, either within or outside the United States.
  4. Teaching experience in international public or private pre-K-12 schools approved or authorized by a foreign ministry of education or equivalent entity.
The form specifies that at least one year (10 months) of the required experience must have been within a Tennessee public or non-public school.

Is experience gained from working in non-educational positions counted towards licensure advancement?

No, experience gained from working in non-educational positions, such as an engineer, is not counted towards licensure advancement. Such experience may be used for salary ratings at the discretion of a local education agency, but it does not contribute to the advancement from an initial to a professional teaching license.

What documentation is required for teaching experience gained outside of Tennessee?

For teaching experience gained outside of Tennessee to be counted, the educator must have held a valid license while teaching in the state or country where the experience was accrued. Documentation must clearly support that the teaching position was in a setting approved by recognized accrediting agencies or authorized by a foreign ministry of education.

How should teaching experience be listed on the Ed2034A form?

Teaching experience should be listed yearly on the Ed2034A form, with each year of service recorded on a separate line. The listing should start with the beginning date of July 1 and end on June 30, including only the experience not already in the TN state data system. For each entry, include the name of the school, position held, fiscal year, employment dates, and percentage of time employed (e.g., part-time, full-time), ensuring accuracy and completeness as per the guidelines provided.

Common mistakes

Filling out the Tennessee Ed2034A form, essential for educators aiming to advance from an initial license to a professional one, requires careful attention to detail. However, common mistakes can hinder the process. Recognizing and avoiding these errors ensures accurate submission of teaching experience, a crucial step for license advancement.

  1. One significant mistake is not having the form signed by an authorized official as specified. The form clearly states that it must be completed by the current or previous employer, such as a Superintendent, Headmaster, Agency Director, or Designated Personnel Officer. Principals are allowed to sign only if they are the designated personnel officer, but this detail is sometimes overlooked.
  2. Another common error is including periods of leave of absence. The instructions explicitly state that these periods should not be included, yet applicants often list them, mistakenly inflating their experience.
  3. Failing to list experience annually, from July 1 to June 30, as mandated, is a frequent oversight. Each year of experience must be detailed on a separate line, something applicants occasionally neglect, leading to a confusing presentation of their work history.
  4. Applicants sometimes neglect to specify the % time (percentage of time) employed, whether it was part-time or full-time. This distinction is crucial for accurately assessing eligibility for license advancement.
  5. Another mistake is not properly identifying non-public school accreditation. For experience in non-public schools to be valid, the form requires that the school be fully approved or accredited by a recognized organization at the time the service was performed. Unfortunately, applicants often forget to include this accreditation detail.
  6. Forgetting to check one of the school types, such as Public School, Private School, Charter School, or U.S. Government Service Teaching Program, is a common oversight. This checkbox provides essential context about the setting of the teaching experience.
  7. Not providing a complete address and contact information of the agency or institution certifying the experience is yet another mistake that can delay the advancement process. Comprehensive contact details are necessary for verification purposes.
  8. Some applicants misunderstand the experience requirements for license advancement. It's important to note that at least one year (10 months) of the required experience must have been within a Tennessee public or non-public school, a detail that is sometimes overlooked.
  9. Last, applicants often fail to properly document experience obtained outside of Tennessee. For such experience to be considered, it must have been accrued while holding a valid license in the state or country where the teaching occurred. This requirement is crucial for ensuring that all listed experience meets Tennessee standards.

By being attentive to these details and avoiding the common mistakes listed, educators can smoothly navigate the process of documenting their teaching experience on the Tennessee Ed2034A form. This diligence not only supports their professional advancement but also underscores their commitment to maintaining high standards in their educational practice.

Documents used along the form

To accurately fulfill the requirements for licensure advancement or salary rating adjustments, educators in Tennessee often need to complement the Tennessee ED2034A form with additional documentation. These forms and documents support the detailed recording of educational experience, verification of licensure, and assurance of accurate professional representation.

  • Verification of Professional Experience Form: This document is utilized to corroborate the specifics of an educator's professional background, including roles and responsibilities held in educational settings. It adds a layer of authentication to the experience listed, requiring a detailed description of the educator's work history.
  • Professional Development Record: Important for maintaining an up-to-date account of an educator's continuous learning and training endeavors, this record provides evidence of participation in workshops, seminars, and courses that contribute to professional growth and competency in their subject matter or teaching methodology.
  • License Verification Form: To ensure that the educator has been authorized to teach within the state or country where the experience was accrued, this form confirms the validity of teaching licenses or certifications previously or currently held by the educator. This is crucial for experience gained outside of Tennessee.
  • Accreditation Documentation: For experience obtained in non-public schools, it is required to show proof of the institution's accreditation by recognized agencies. This document verifies the school's adherence to educational standards and is necessary for the experience to be considered for licensure advancement.

The aforementioned documents collectively provide a comprehensive profile of an educator’s qualifications, contributing to a smooth licensure advancement process. By accurately documenting experience and qualifications, educators are better positioned to meet the Tennessee Department of Education's strict criteria, thereby enhancing their professional status and eligibility for subsequent opportunities within the educational field.

Similar forms

The Tennessee Ed2034A form closely aligns with the Professional Educator License (PEL) application form used in several states. The PEL form also requires detailed listing of teaching or school service experience, specifying the role, the institution, and the duration of employment. Both documents necessitate verification from a supervisory authority, such as a superintendent or a headmaster, to affirm the authenticity of the provided information. Additionally, they share the requirement that experience must be accredited or approved by certain recognized institutions or associations to count towards licensing or license advancement.

Another similar document is the Verification of Employment (VOE) form, commonly used across different sectors, not just education. The VOE form gathers information about an employee's work history, including dates of employment, positions held, and, occasionally, the percentage of time employed in specific roles. Like the Ed2034A form, it may be used to verify the experience that qualifies for specific benefits or qualifications, although it is broader in application, extending beyond the educational sector.

The Accreditation Verification form mirrors the Tennessee Ed2034A form in its requirement for schools or educational programs to be verified as accredited or approved by an authoritative body. This form specifically focuses on confirming the accreditation status of an institution at the time of the service performed, similar to how the Ed2034A mandates identification of accreditation for non-public schools. Both forms ensure that the educational service experience is recognized as meeting certain quality standards, which is crucial for the advancement of licenses or for other professional qualifications.

Lastly, the Experience Verification form used for professional license advancement in fields outside of education, such as engineering or nursing, shares commonalities with the Tennessee Ed2034A form. This document typically requires detailed listing of professional experience, including the employer's name, the position held, and the tenure of employment. Similar to the Ed2033A, it emphasizes the need for experience to be verified by an authorized official to count toward professional development or licensure advancement. Furthermore, these forms enforce the idea that certain experiences, based on their relevance and the authority under which they were conducted, are pivotal for career advancement.

Dos and Don'ts

When filling out the Tennessee ED2034A form, there are some important dos and don'ts to keep in mind to ensure the process goes smoothly and accurately. Following these guidelines can help avoid common pitfalls and ensure your information is presented correctly.

  • Do make sure that the person signing the form is authorized to do so, such as the Superintendent, Headmaster, Agency Director, or Designated Personnel Officer. Principals are not authorized unless they are the designated personnel officer.
  • Do list teaching experience in separate lines yearly, ensuring that you start with July 1 and end with June 30 for each fiscal year recorded.
  • Do include only the experience that is not already in the TN state data system, avoiding duplication of records.
  • Do ensure to check the appropriate box indicating whether the school is a Public School, Private School, Charter School, or a U.S. Government Service Teaching Program.
  • Don't include leave of absence periods in your experience record. These are not counted towards your teaching experience on this form.
  • Don't leave the accreditation information blank for non-public schools. It's essential to identify the accrediting body at the time the service was performed.
  • Don't forget to have the form signed by an authorized official from the agency or institution as stated in the instructions. An unsigned form may not be processed.
  • Don't overlook the importance of providing accurate contact information, including the phone number and email address of the signing official, to enable easy verification or follow-up.

Completing the Tennessee ED2034A form carefully and accurately can significantly influence the successful processing of your application. Remembering these dos and don'ts will help ensure that your teaching experience is documented correctly and meets the requirements for advancing from an initial license to a professional license in Tennessee.

Misconceptions

There are several misconceptions about the Tennessee Ed2034A form that need to be clarified to ensure that educators and employers understand its purpose and requirements. This understanding is essential for the proper documentation and advancement of educators' licenses in Tennessee.

  • Misconception 1: Principals can always sign the Ed2034A form. This is incorrect; only superintendents, headmasters, agency directors, or designated personnel officers are authorized to sign this form. Principals can only sign if they are the designated personnel officer.

  • Misconception 2: Leave of absence periods should be included in the experience record. This is not accurate; leave of absence periods are not to be included when documenting experience on the Ed2034A form.

  • Misconception 3: All teaching experience, regardless of location or accreditation, is valid for the Ed2034A form. In fact, only experience in schools or school systems that were fully approved or accredited at the time the service was performed should be included. The accreditation needs to be recognized by specific entities as outlined on the form.

  • Misconception 4: Experience outside of Tennessee does not count. This is not true; teaching experience outside of Tennessee can be credited as long as the educator held a valid teaching license in the state or country where the experience occurred.

  • Misconception 5: Any type of professional experience is eligible for licensure advancement. While various professional experiences can be recognized for salary ratings by local education agencies, only specific types of teaching experiences are considered for license advancement.

  • Misconception 6: The form is only for use with public schools. This is incorrect; the Ed2034A form can be used to document experience in public schools, private schools, charter schools, and U.S. Government Service Teaching Programs, as long as they meet the outlined accreditation requirements.

  • Misconception 7: The form does not need to be signed by an authorized official. On the contrary, for the documented experience to be valid, the form must be signed by an official who is authorized as per the specifications laid out on the document. This ensures that the recorded experience is accurate and meets the necessary criteria.

Correcting these misconceptions is crucial for educators seeking licensure advancement and for the administrators assisting them in the process. Understanding the specific requirements and stipulations of the Tennessee Ed2034A form helps ensure that all parties involved are adhering to the proper protocols, ultimately supporting the advancement of educational professionals within the state of Tennessee.

Key takeaways

Filling out and using the Tennessee Ed2034A form is an essential process for educators seeking to advance their teaching license or for the validation of teaching experience for salary purposes. To ensure accuracy and compliance, here are five key takeaways to consider:

  • The Ed2034A form must be completed by the current or previous employer, specifically a Superintendent, Headmaster, Agency Director, or Designated Personnel Officer. It's important to note that principals can only sign the form if they are the designated personnel officer.
  • Experience should be listed yearly, starting from July 1 to June 30 of the following year. Each change in status requires a new line, and it's crucial to only include experience that is not already in the Tennessee state data system. This meticulous record-keeping helps in accurately recounting an educator's experience.
  • For the purposes of advancing to a professional license, documentation of three years of working experience is necessary. At least one of these years must have been within a Tennessee public or non-public school. This criterion underscores the importance of detailed and accurate record-keeping on the Ed2034A form.
  • Experience counts towards licensure advancement only if it was gained while the educator held a valid license in the state or country where the experience was accrued. This condition applies to those seeking to count their experience from outside Tennessee, emphasizing the need for educators to maintain licensure status even when working abroad or in different states.
  • The form demands a certification by an authorized official that the listed experience is true and correct. This certification carries legal and ethical responsibilities, ensuring the integrity of the information provided for licensure advancement or salary rating purposes.

By adhering to these guidelines, educators and administrators can navigate the process of documenting and verifying teaching experience efficiently. This not only aids in the professional development of educators but also supports the educational system's aim to recognize and reward teaching experience appropriately.

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