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At the heart of every teacher's career progression in Tennessee lies the critical yet often overlooked Ed2034A form, a document that bridges past teaching experiences with future aspirations within the state's education system. Required to transition from an initial license to a professional teaching license, this document serves as a thorough record of an educator's teaching journey outside the Tennessee state data system. It meticulously catalogues experience year by year, across various schooling frameworks - be it public, private, charter, or even U.S. Government-operated teaching programs. Moreover, it distinguishes the accreditation status of non-public schools, ensuring that only quality, recognized teaching experiences contribute to a teacher's licensure advancement. The form, mandated to be completed by a previous or current employer, underscores the importance of authorized verification. With the teaching profession being dynamic, the Ed2033A form also acknowledges experiences accumulated outside Tennessee, provided a valid license was held during that period. Clearly, the completion and submission of this form are pivotal steps for educators aiming to solidify their teaching credentials, reflecting a broader commitment to educational excellence and professional growth within Tennessee's educational framework.

Document Preview Example

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.

Document Data

Fact Name Description
Primary Purpose The Tennessee Ed2034A form is used to verify teaching experience for the purpose of advancing from an initial license to a professional license in the state of Tennessee.
Who Completes It This form must be completed by the current or previous employer, such as the Superintendent, Headmaster, Agency Director, or a designated personnel officer. Principals can only sign if they are designated as personnel officers.
Experience Record Requirement The form requires a yearly listing of teaching experience, excluding leave of absence periods and must only include experience not already in the Tennessee state data system.
Eligible Experiences for Licensure Advancement Experience that counts towards licensure advancement includes verified instructional roles in public or approved non-public schools, US Government-run schools, or international schools recognized by a foreign ministry of education or equivalent entity.
Governing Laws This process is guided by Tennessee state laws regarding teacher licensure, including the criteria set by recognized accrediting agencies such as AdvancED's divisions (e.g., NCA CASI, NWAC, SACS CASI) and other bodies like the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Commission on Accreditation.

Detailed Guide for Using Tennessee Ed2034A

Filling out the Tennessee Ed2034A form is a crucial step in transitioning from an initial teaching license to a professional license in Tennessee. It is designed to document and verify your teaching experience, ensuring it meets the specific criteria for licensure advancement. The process of completing this form must be handled with accuracy and diligence to accurately reflect your work history. Below is a detailed guide on how to fill out the form accurately to avoid any delays in processing your licensure advancement.

  1. Begin by clearly printing the Name of Educator at the top of the form, ensuring it matches the name on your teaching license.
  2. Enter the educator's Social Security Number in the designated space. Remember, this is sensitive information, so ensure the form is handled securely.
  3. Under the Experience Record section, list your teaching experiences yearly. Start each entry with the fiscal year, running from July 1 through June 30, then provide the following details in order:
    • Name of School
    • Position Held
    • Time Employed (Start Date - End Date)
    • % Time (Part-time, Full-time)
    • Total Days in School Year
  4. Indicate the type of school for each experience entry (Public School, Private School, Charter School, U.S. Government Service Teaching Program). If the school was a non-public school, you must specify the accrediting body that approved the school at the time the service was provided.
  5. Ensure the school's full approval or accreditation is clearly identified by entering the name of the State Department of Education, Regional Association of Colleges & Schools, or recognized private school accrediting association in the provided space.
  6. Once all teaching experiences are listed, the form needs to be certified and signed by an authorized official. The official could be the Superintendent, Headmaster, Agency Director, or Designated Personnel Officer. Principals can only sign the form if they are the designated personnel officer. Include the printed name, title, phone number, address (street, city, state, zip code), and email address of the signatory.
  7. Finally, review the form for completeness and accuracy. Once confirmed, the authorized official should sign and date the form, finalizing the verification process for the experiences listed.

After the Tennessee Ed2034A form has been completed and signed, it will need to be submitted to the appropriate department for processing. This form serves as a testament to your teaching experience, a significant step towards your professional development. Handling it with care and ensuring all information is accurate and verifiable is paramount. Timely submission and following up with the department can help expedite the review process, bringing you one step closer to achieving your professional teaching license in Tennessee.

Important Questions on This Form

What is the Tennessee Ed2034A form?

The Tennessee Ed2034A form is a document used for recording the teaching experience of educators. It is completed by current or former employers, such as superintendents, headmasters, agency directors, or designated personnel officers. This form is crucial for educators seeking to advance from an initial license (transitional, apprentice, practitioner) to a professional license, as it documents their experience working in an appropriate pre-K-12 instructional setting.

Who is authorized to sign the Ed2034A form?

Only certain officials are authorized to sign the Ed2034A form, including superintendents, headmasters, agency directors, or designated personnel officers. Principals can only sign the form if they are the designated personnel officer for their institution.

How should the experience be listed on the Ed2034A form?

Experience on the Ed2034A form should be listed yearly. Each year of experience must be on a separate line, starting with July 1 and ending on June 30 of the following year. The information required for each entry includes the name of the school, the position held, the fiscal year, the employment period in months/days, the employment type (e.g., part-time, full-time), and the total days in the school year.

What types of schools can be included in the Ed2034A form?

Experience can be listed for public schools, private schools, charter schools, and U.S. Government Service Teaching Programs on the Ed2034A form. However, if the school is not a public school, its accreditation must be identified, and the school system must have been fully approved or accredited by relevant authorities (e.g., State Department of Education, regional accreditation associations) at the time the service was performed.

What are the requirements for advancing a license using the Ed2034A form?

To advance from an initial license to a professional license, educators must:

  1. Demonstrate three years of working experience in an appropriate pre-K-12 instructional setting during the validity period of their initial license.
  2. Ensure that the total experience is no less than twenty-five months of full-time work, with at least one year (10 months) within a Tennessee public or non-public school, or in a setting approved by recognized accrediting agencies if outside Tennessee.
  3. Hold a valid license while teaching in the state or country where the experience was accrued, if the experience is from outside Tennessee.

Can experience outside of teaching be counted on the Ed2034A form?

No, the Ed2034A form is designed to document teaching or instructional leader experience in recognized educational settings only. Experience in other fields, such as engineering or business, cannot be used for the purpose of advancing to a professional teaching license, though local education agencies may choose to recognize such experience for salary ratings.

What types of experience are counted for licensure advancement?

For the purpose of licensure advancement, acceptable experiences include:

  • Verified instructional leader or teacher experience in a public school operated by a local education agency in the United States or its territories.
  • Verified instructional leader or teacher experience in public or private schools approved by recognized accrediting agencies.
  • Verified instructional leader or teacher experience in pre-K-12 schools operated by the United States Government, either within or outside the U.S.
  • Verified instructional leader or teacher experience in international public or private schools pre-K-12 approved or authorized by a foreign ministry of education or equivalent entity.

Common mistakes

Filling out the Tennessee Ed2034A form, an essential document for educators seeking to advance their licensure in Tennessee, requires meticulous attention to detail and an understanding of the specific requirements outlined in the form. However, individuals often encounter pitfalls that can hinder the process. Here are five common mistakes to avoid:

  1. **Not verifying the signer's authority:** The form stipulates that it must be signed by the current or previous employer's authorized official, such as the Superintendent, Headmaster, Agency Director, or Designated Personnel Officer. Principals can only sign the form if they are the designated personnel officer. Overlooking this requirement can result in the form being invalid.

  2. **Incorrectly listing experience:** Experience must be documented yearly, starting from July 1 through June 30, for each year. Each change in status requires a separate line. Including leave of absence periods or failing to use one line per year can cause inaccuracies in the experience record, leading to potential delays in the licensure process.

  3. **Omitting accreditation information for non-public schools:** When listing experience from non-public schools, the form requires identification of the school's accreditation at the time the service was performed. Failing to specify the accrediting body can lead to questions regarding the legitimacy of the experience cited, potentially disqualifying it from consideration for licensure advancement.

  4. **Neglecting the % Time details:** The form asks for the percentage of time employed, distinguishing between part-time and full-time positions. Applicants often overlook this detail or estimate it inaccurately, which is crucial for determining the equivalence of their experience to the full-time work requirement.

  5. **Incomplete or incorrect contact information:** Providing accurate and complete contact information, including the phone number, address, and email address, is critical for any follow-up or verification needed. Errors or omissions in this section can lead to delays or inability for the Tennessee Department of Education to contact the previous employer for confirmation of experience.

  • Attention to detail is pivotal when completing the Tennessee Ed2034A form. Small oversights can have significant repercussions, potentially delaying or even derailing the advancement of an educator's license.

  • Ensuring all sections are filled out comprehensively and accurately, particularly regarding the experience record and accreditation details, can expedite the review process.

  • Finally, applicants should always verify the authority of the form's signer and ensure that all required signatures are obtained to validate their submitted experience.

By steering clear of these common mistakes, educators can navigate the licensure advancement process more smoothly, bringing them one step closer to achieving their professional goals in the Tennessee education system.

Documents used along the form

When preparing documentation for educational employment verification in Tennessee, particularly with the Tennessee Ed2034A form, it's essential to understand the landscape of supplementary documents that can strengthen an application or verification process. These forms and documents often play a critical role in ensuring the seamless progression of an educator's career, from initial licensure to achieving professional status. Knowing which documents to compile, alongside the Ed2034A form, can make a significant difference in the verification process.

  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV): Provides a comprehensive overview of the educator's professional history, including educational background, teaching experience, and any relevant certifications or accomplishments.
  • Official Transcripts: Offer a detailed record of the educator's academic qualifications, including degrees earned and coursework relevant to their teaching discipline, required by many institutions for verification of educational background.
  • Proof of Previous Employment: Letter(s) from past employers confirming the educator's employment dates, positions held, and responsibilities. This helps verify the authenticity of teaching experience listed on the Ed2034A form.
  • Professional Teaching License: Copy of the current teaching license, demonstrating that the educator is certified to teach in their respective field and jurisdiction. This may include licenses held in states other than Tennessee if experience outside Tennessee is being counted.
  • Professional Development Certificates: Documents attesting to the completion of workshops, seminars, and other professional development activities that contribute to an educator's growth and competencies.
  • Performance Evaluations: Copies of recent professional evaluations that highlight the educator's teaching effectiveness, classroom management skills, and contributions to student learning outcomes.
  • Letters of Recommendation: Written endorsements from previous employers, colleagues, or educational administrators, providing qualitative assessments of the educator's professional skills, character, and achievements.
  • Background Check: A clean criminal background report, which is a prerequisite for employment in educational settings, ensuring the safety and well-being of students.
  • Professional References List: A list of contacts who can provide verbal or written support for the educator’s application, including names, titles, and contact information of professional associates familiar with the educator's work.

Collectively, these documents complement the Tennessee Ed2037A form, ensuring that the educator's application for licensure or employment is thorough and well-supported. It's advisable for educators to maintain updated copies of these documents, facilitating a more efficient verification process. Assistance from a legal advisor may also be sought to ensure that the document compilation adheres to the specific requirements of the Tennessee Department of Education or the employing educational institution.

Similar forms

The Tennessee Ed2034A form is closely related to the Interstate Verification Form used for educators moving between states. Both documents gather critical data regarding an educator's previous employment and the specifics of their teaching experience, such as position held, dates of employment, and the school's accreditation status. Where the Ed2034A form focuses specifically on verifying teaching experience for Tennessee licensure and professional advancement, the Interstate Verification Form serves a broader purpose by facilitating the interstate mobility of teachers through verifying their credentials and experience for other state education departments. This similarity extends to both forms requiring official signatures from authorized personnel, underscoring the importance of accuracy and official validation in the teacher certification process.

Another similar document is the Experience Verification Form for Salary Purposes, often used by local education agencies (LEAs). While the Ed2034A form is crucial for licensure advancement, the Experience Verification Form for Salary Purposes is pivotal for determining an educator's placement on the salary schedule. Both forms require detailed documentation of an educator's teaching experience, including time employed and the capacity in which they were employed (e.g., part-time, full-time). However, their ultimate goals diverge: the Ed2034A targets licensure status, whereas the Experience Verification is designed to equate previous experience with salary levels, sometimes considering non-teaching professional experience relevant to education.

The Professional Development Documentation Form also resembles the Ed2034A form, albeit with a focus on professional learning rather than employment history. It logs an educator's completion of continuing education or professional development activities, crucial for both license renewal and advancement in many states, including Tennessee. Like the Ed2034A, it requires detailed information about the duration and nature of the activities completed. However, instead of detailing employment history, it focuses on educational growth, underlining the dual requirement of experience and ongoing learning in teacher qualification and advancement.

The Non-Public School Experience Verification Form is another document akin to the Ed2034A form, designed specifically for educators who have gained experience in non-public school settings, including private, charter, and religious schools. This form, much like the Ed2034A, collects data on the educator's role, employment duration, and the accreditation status of the institution. The key distinction lies in its targeted application towards experiences acquired outside the public school system, emphasizing the inclusivity of diverse educational backgrounds in the broader context of educator certification and progression.

The Military Experience Verification Form shares similarities with the Ed2035A form in its purpose to recognize and validate professional experience gained in unique settings, in this case, educational roles within the U.S. Military. It documents an individual's instructional experience in military-operated schools, including grade levels taught and subject areas. This specific focus on military education settings highlights the adaptability of the teacher certification process to accommodate varied instructional environments, paralleling the Ed2034A's inclusivity of different teaching contexts for licensing purposes.

Lastly, the Educator Credential Review Form is reminiscent of the Ed2034A, facilitating a comprehensive evaluation of an educator's qualifications, including but not limited to teaching experience. It assesses the educator's credentials for initial certification, additional endorsements, or licensure upgrades, similar to how the Ed2034A form assesses teaching experience for license advancement. While the Credential Review Form takes a broader scope, examining academic qualifications and test scores alongside professional experience, both forms are integral to the state's systematic approach to vetting and validating the competencies of its educators.

Dos and Don'ts

When completing the Tennessee ED2034A form, attention to detail and an understanding of the requirements are crucial. Here’s a guide on what you should and shouldn't do to ensure your form is accurately prepared:

Do:
  • Verify the signer's authorization: Ensure that the form is signed by an individual authorized to do so, such as the Superintendent, Headmaster, Agency Director, or designated personnel officer. Remember, Principals may only sign if they are designated personnel officers.
  • List experience accurately: Fill in the experience record yearly, making sure each year is on a separate line, with a clear indication of the beginning and ending dates.
  • Include relevant experience only: Make sure to include only the experience that is not already in the TN state data system and pertains directly to the advancement criteria.
  • Check accreditation: For experiences in non-public schools, it's crucial to identify and note the accreditation by a recognized private school accrediting association or the State Department of Education.
  • Be clear and legible: Write clearly or type the information to avoid any misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the data provided.
Don't:
  • Overlook the validity period: Do not forget to account for the experience within the specific validity period of the initial license. Requirements state that a portion of the experience must have occurred within this timeframe.
  • Include leave of absence periods: When listing changes in status, do not include periods of leave of absence as these do not count towards your professional experience.
  • Assume all experience counts: Experience outside of Tennessee or in fields other than teaching may have different rules. Verify that your type of experience is eligible for credit towards licensure advancement.
  • Misrepresent experience: Honesty is critical. Falsifying experience or providing misinformation can lead to serious consequences, including the rejection of your licensure advancement.
  • Forget to check school system accreditation: When listing experience from non-public schools, double-check that the school was fully approved or accredited by an organization recognized by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Commission on Accreditation or similar.

Completing the Tennessee ED2034A form with diligence and care not only helps in accurately representing your experience but also ensures a smoother process in advancing your teaching license. Always refer back to the criteria and requirements specified by the Tennessee Department of Education to guide you through filling out the form properly.

Misconceptions

When it comes to the Tennessee Education form Ed2034A, there are several misconceptions that can create confusion for educators and administrators alike. Understanding these misconceptions is crucial to accurately completing and utilizing the form for the intended purposes of verifying teaching experience for licensure advancement.

  • Principals Cannot Sign the Form: It's commonly misunderstood that principals are universally unauthorized to sign the Ed2034A form. The truth is, principals can sign if they are acting as the designated personnel officer. The restriction applies to those who are not in such designated positions.
  • Inclusion of All Teaching Experience: Another misconception is that the form should include all teaching experience. However, the form specifies that only experience not already in the Tennessee state data system should be listed. This avoids duplication of records and ensures the form captures uniquely verifiable experience that will aid in licensure advancement.
  • Recording Leave of Absence Periods: There's a misconception that leave of absence periods should be documented in the experience record. Contrary to this belief, the form explicitly instructs not to include leave of absence periods, focusing solely on active teaching or instructional leadership experience.
  • Experience Outside of Tennessee is Irrelevant: Many believe experience gained outside of Tennessee is irrelevant for the purpose of the Ed2034A form. This misunderstanding overlooks the criteria that teaching experience outside of Tennessee can be counted, provided the educator held a valid teaching license in the state or country where the experience was accrued and meets other specified requirements for licensure advancement.
  • Any Type of Experience Counts Towards Licensure Advancement: There is a misconception that any type of experience, such as working in a different profession, can be counted towards licensure advancement. The form clarifies that only verified instructional leader or teacher experience in specific settings is eligible. While a local education agency may give credit for non-teaching experience for salary purposes, it does not count toward the purpose of advancing to a professional license according to the Ed2034A form criteria.

Correcting these misconceptions ensures educators and administrators can accurately complete the form and understand how different types of experience contribute to the advancement of teaching licenses. It's essential to read the form thoroughly and follow the specific instructions to ensure the process of licensure advancement proceeds smoothly.

Key takeaways

Here are five key takeaways about completing and using the Tennessee Ed2034A form to document teaching experience for licensure advancement:

  • Authorization requirement for signatories: The form should be completed by the current or previous employer, specifically by the Superintendent, Headmaster, Agency Director, or Designated Personnel Officer. Principals are only authorized to sign if they hold the designated personnel officer role, highlighting the importance of ensuring the proper authority endorses the form.
  • Detailed experience record needed: Experience must be listed yearly, covering the period from July 1 through June 30 of each year. This requirement emphasizes the need for a detailed and organized record of teaching experience, specifying the school name, position held, time employed, and the percentage of time (full-time or part-time). Leave of absence periods should not be included, ensuring only active teaching experience is documented.
  • Experience outside Tennessee’s state data system: The form is intended for listing teaching experience that is not already included in the Tennessee state data system. This implies that educators need to report only those experiences that the state system does not automatically recognize, highlighting the form’s role in filling data gaps.
  • Accreditation requirement: If the teaching experience was at a non-public school, the form requires the name of the accrediting body at the time the service was performed. Recognized accreditation ensures the experience meets the set quality standards and is critical for non-public school teaching experience to be considered valid for licensure advancement.
  • Criteria for licensure advancement: To advance from an initial license to a professional license, educators must demonstrate three years of working experience, with a minimum of twenty-five months of full-time teaching. At least ten months must be within a Tennessee public or non-public school. For experience outside Tennessee, the educator must have held a valid license while teaching in that state or country. This section outlines the specific requirements for licensure advancement, providing a clear goal for educators to meet through accurate and complete documentation on the Ed2034A form.
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