Rhode Island Code of Regulations
Title 200 - Board of Education
Chapter 20 - Council on Elementary and Secondary Education
Subchapter 20 - Educator Quality and Certification
Part 1 - Regulations Governing the Certification of Educators in Rhode Island
Section 200-RICR-20-20-1.10 - Administrator Certificate Areas

Universal Citation: 200 RI Code of Rules 20 20 1.10

Current through September 18, 2024

A. Administrator certification is offered in a variety of PK-12 areas that qualify the administrator for specific assignments in Rhode Island Public Schools.

B. Certification in administrator areas requires:

1. An advanced degree (except for school business manager);

2. Completion of an approved educator preparation program that ensures completers demonstrate the competencies within the certification field prescribed by the appropriate professional association;

3. Field experience that includes a three hundred (300) hour internship for building level administrators; and

4. Passing scores on any knowledge of field testing required for the certification area.

1.10.1 Building Level Administrator Certificates

A. Building Level Administrator PK-12

1. Validity of Certificate:

This certificate is valid for assignment as a Building Level Administrator in Grades PK-12 in Rhode Island Public Schools.

2. Requirements:

a. Has completed an approved program in this certification area;

b. Holds an advanced degree from a regionally accredited institution;

c. Has completed a minimum of a three hundred (300) hour internship in this area;

d. Has three (3) years of PK-12 professional education experience;

e. Has demonstrated the professional competencies of the Rhode Island Standards for Educational Leadership (RISEL) with an emphasis on the content required of a building level administrator;

f. Has demonstrated content and pedagogical competencies as prescribed by the appropriate RIDE approved national professional associations; and

g. Has met all knowledge of field-testing requirements for this certification area.

B. Building Level Administrator PK-12 Fast-track (New Section)

1. Validity of Certificate:

This certification is valid for assignment as a Building Level Administrator in Grades PK-12 in Rhode Island Public Schools.

2. Eligibility Requirements pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-11-9; verified by the employing agency:

a. Has a minimum of ten (10) years' experience as a teacher or support professional;

b. Has achieved evaluation ratings of Highly Effective or Effective;

c. Holds a master's degree or higher;

d. Has a record of consistent leadership within the LEA, demonstrated through serving as a facilitator of professional learning, a dean, a district coach, a department chair, or in another leadership position within a school or LEA;

e. Has a recommendation from the superintendent of the LEA where the individual has worked previously or is currently working.

3. Requirements pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-11-9:

a. Has completed a year-long, minimum of three hundred (300) hours, internship where currently employed. The internship experience is designed by the employing agency, in accordance to RIDE guidelines, to approximate the activities of a building administrator. The Superintendent will evaluate the internship experience according to the Rhode Island Standards for Educational Leaders and will provide a recommendation only for educators who demonstrate the competency to successfully meet the expectations established in the internship;

b. Has led a district or school-wide initiative;

c. Has completed coursework in school finance, school law, and instructional leadership/program evaluation inclusive of data analysis from a regionally accredited institution;

d. Has met all knowledge of field-testing requirements for this certification area;

e. During the first (1st) renewal cycle, individuals must complete a RIDE-approved leadership development program.

1.10.2 District Level Administrator Certificates

A. District Level Administrator-Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

1. Validity of Certificate:

This certificate is valid for assignment as a District Level Administrator-Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in Grades PK-12 in Rhode Island Public Schools.

2. Requirements:

a. Holds certification as Building Level Administrator;

b. Has completed an approved program in this certification area;

c. Holds an advanced degree from a regionally accredited institution;

d. Has demonstrated the professional competencies of the Rhode Island Standards for Educational Leadership (RISEL) with an emphasis on the content required of a district level curriculum, instruction, and assessment administrator;

e. Has demonstrated content and pedagogical competencies as prescribed by the appropriate RIDE approved national professional associations; and

f. Has met all knowledge of field testing requirements for this certification area.

B. District Level Administrator-Special Education

1. Validity of Certificate:

This certificate is valid for assignment as a District Level Administrator-Special Education in Grades PK-12 in Rhode Island Public Schools.

2. Requirements:

a. Has completed an approved program in this certification area; or

b. Has completed nine (9) graduate level credits in Special Education and has completed graduate level credits in the following areas: supervision of Special Education programs and services, supervision of personnel, supervision of instruction or program evaluation, and school and district finance;

c. Holds an advanced degree from a regionally accredited institution;

d. Has three (3) years of professional education experience in teaching as a special educator, speech and language pathologist, school social worker, or school psychologist;

e. Has demonstrated the professional competencies of the Rhode Island Standards for Educational Leadership (RISEL) with an emphasis on the content required of a district level Special Education Administrator;

f. Has demonstrated content competencies as prescribed by the appropriate RIDE approved national professional associations; and

g. Has met all knowledge of field testing requirements for this certification area.

C. School Business Administrator

1. Validity of Certificate:

This certificate is valid for assignment as a School Business Administrator in Grades PK-12 in Rhode Island Public Schools.

2. Requirements:

a. Has completed an approved program in this certification area;

b. Holds a bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, or a related field;

c. Three (3) years of professional experience in financial management or school business operations;

d. Has demonstrated the professional competencies of the Rhode Island Standards for Educational Leadership (RISEL) with an emphasis on the content required of a school business administrator; and

e. Has demonstrated content competencies as prescribed by the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO).

D. Superintendent of Schools

1. Validity of Certificate:

This certificate is valid for assignment as a Superintendent of Schools in Grades PK-12 in Rhode Island Public Schools.

2. Requirements:

a. Has completed an approved program in this certification area;

b. Holds an advanced degree from a regionally accredited institution;

c. Holds building level administrator certificate or has significant leadership experience in organizations other than schools;

d. Has demonstrated the professional competencies of the Rhode Island Standards for Educational Leadership (RISEL) with an emphasis on the content required of a superintendent of schools;

e. Has demonstrated content and pedagogical competencies as prescribed by the appropriate RIDE approved national professional associations; and

f. Has met all knowledge of field testing requirements for this certification area.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Rhode Island may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

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