Overview

Standard School Librarian Certificate

The School of Information currently offers the Standard School Librarian Certificate developed by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) for certification of public school librarians in Texas. This certificate prepares the holder for work at all levels of public education in Texas, from kindergarten through high school. The certification program is a graduate program.

Beginning September 1, 2002 new certification requirements for school librarians became effective. Students who are certified after that date will be issued the Standard School Librarian Certificate. Students must have successfully completed a school librarian preparation and assessment program (which includes field work and/or professional experiences) that meets State Board for Educator Certification requirements. In addition, students must hold a master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education, and have two school years of classroom teaching experience in a public or accredited private school. A SBEC mandated exam is required for this certificate.

Standard School Librarian Certificate Requirements

The Standard School Librarian Certificate program as offered by the University of Texas at Austin School of Information is designed to meet all requirements of the State of Texas State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) for school librarian certification in public schools in Texas.

In order to apply for SBEC certification students must (SBEC Requirements):

• Hold a master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education
• Successfully complete the School Librarian's TExES (Texas Examination of Educator Standards)
• Have two years of classroom teaching experience from a public or accredited private school

School of Information Requirements

• Meet all requirements for admission to the School of Information master's program
• Successfully complete the required courses for the School of Information master's degree (or its equivalent)
• Successfully complete the required courses for the School Librarian Certification Program

Required courses for the School of Information MSIS degree and the Standard School Librarian Certificate

Note: These requirements are effective for all students beginning their programs in summer 2006.

The faculty has deemed the following courses necessary to meet the expectations for the Standard School Librarian Certificate as well as the School of Information master's degree:

Courses Required for Certification:

Electives (3 hrs) Electives as appropriate to meet the 24 hours appropriate for certification and 40 hours required for the MILS degree. Suggested courses:

Total Semester Hours: 40

On petition to and approval by the director of the school librarian certification program a student may make substitutions for courses specific to school librarian certification (but not common courses required for the master's degree). Such substitutions are generally made only in cases that meet exacting requirements. In accordance with SBEC requirements, and upon petition by the student, the director of the program will make an assessment of prior education and experiences in terms of certification requirements. For this assessment the director will consider only graduate level course work no older than 6 years and professional level experience no older than 6 years that can be documented. Undergraduate course work or volunteer work experiences will not be considered.

Students Holding Prior Master's Degrees

Students who already hold a master's degree may be admitted to the school librarian certificate program provided they meet the admission requirements for the School of Information master's degree. Please note that courses used to meet certification requirements must be no older than 6 years. Student's prior education and experiences will be assessed according to principles stated previously. The courses (or their equivalent) reflected in the School of Information master's degree and specific school library related courses will ensure that all standards required by SBEC for certification have been met. The above description of the Standard School Librarian Certificate program are made in accordance with the School of Information master's degree required courses and degree structure as modified April, 2002. All certification courses noted above and required for the Standard School Librarian Certificate will articulate with the Master of Science in Information Studies. General degree requirements for the MSIS degree are available at http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/programs/masters.

Requirements to Meet the Standard School Librarian Certificate with a Prior Master's Degree

In order to meet current standards for the Standard School Librarian Certificate, one must hold a bachelor's and master's degree (in any appropriate subject field). In addition, the student must submit evidence of at least two years of classroom teaching experience in a public or accredited, private school. If the classroom teaching experience has occurred in a private, accredited school, no prior teacher certification is required under current law. In addition, competencies requirements as mandated by the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) may be met by successfully completing 24 hours of the following prescribed courses offered in the School of Information:

State-Mandated Examinations

Students in both of these programs must pass a "TExES" examination mandated by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) prior to making application for a certificate. Upon completing the requirements of the program, students must submit a certification application with an application fee to:

The application form is available from the Teacher Certification Office. After a review of the application and determination that the application meets all certification requirements, the School of Information director of the SSLC program will recommend to the Texas State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) through the Teacher Certification Office in the College of Education that the student be issued the appropriate certificate. The certificate is mailed directly to the student by the Board.

Test Dates

For current test dates visit the SBEC.

Deficiency Plans for School Library Certification

Note: The concept of deficiency plans is under discussion by the SBEC. Please check again for updates.

What is a deficiency plan?

A deficiency plan is an agreement between a student, an employing school district in Texas, and the Texas Board of Educator Certification which allows the student to assume a professional position for a limited time period as a school librarian before they have completed an official program of study leading to school library certification. The deficiency plan outlines exactly what courses must be taken as well as other requirements which must be met in order for the student to be fully certified as a school librarian in Texas. Certification under a deficiency plan is good for a limited time period, generally 2 years, but circumstances vary. Students generally must also present at least 6 hours of course work which are representative of professional content of school librarianship before they are eligible for appointment. A school district must file a deficiency plan with the state in order to hire someone who is not certified as a librarian. Twelve hours of course work must be taken at the School of Information before we will approve certification applications based on deficiency plan requirements.

Employment by a School District

Deficiency plans are requested by the employing school districts (generally conveyed by the student). The School of Information only develops plans for students who have been offered employment under deficiency plan conditions.

Apply for a Deficiency Plan

All certification matters at the University of Texas at Austin are centralized through:

Application for a deficiency plan must begin in the Teacher Certification Office. Application(s) forms are available there as well as general instructions as to how to proceed with the application. Each student must submit official transcripts of all courses taken as well as other supporting documentation. When the application is complete, the student returns the application to the Teacher Certification Office. It is then forwarded to the Director of the SSLC program, School of Information, where the record is evaluated and a deficiency plan developed according to current certification requirements.

The following is a list of documents you must provide when applying for a deficiency plan under the Standard School Librarian Certificate:

• Record of all college work including graduate work
• Transcript must note that you hold a valid bachelor's degree. If you already hold a master's degree this also must be noted on your transcript
• Record of any and all teaching certificates held (including out-of-state certificates)
• Official statement of classroom teaching experience (e.g., a work record from employing school districts)
• If appropriate, a record of having passed the state mandated exam for the Standard School Librarian Certification must be submitted.

The Completed Deficiency Plan

Once the director of the School Librarian Certification program, School of Information, develops the deficiency plan, it is returned to the Office of Teacher Certification, College of Education, where it is finalized and an official copy is sent to the employing school district. The student also receives a copy of the plan.

Student Responsibility

Students have the responsibility to begin the application process and to make sure that all their records are complete and on file in the employing school district.

How to Submit an Application for Certification

Upon completion of all requirements for certification under an appropriate program students may apply for certification from the State of Texas through the Teacher Certification Office, College of Education. Before submitting the application, the student must make sure that all requirements have been met and all supporting documents are included with the application.

For application forms and supporting information, contact:

Laura Hancock Mecanick, College of Education certification officer - phone: (512) 471-3223 email: lmecanick@mail.utexas.edu.

Once the School of Information has received the official application from the College of Education, the application form is reviewed by the School of Information certification director to make sure that all requirements have been met. The application is approved, disapproved, or returned for additional information. It is then forwarded to the Certification Officer, College of Education for processing. Inquiries about the status of the application should be addressed to that office.

Substitution for the Required Practicum Course INF 388R "Practicum in School Libraries"

Please note that if the applicant plans to substitute a professional level one-year appointment as a school librarian in place of INF 388R "Practicum in School Libraries" he or she must submit a copy of an official employment record indicating this appointment. This record must be included in the official application. The application for certification cannot be approved without this document. No other course work will substitute for the practicum requirement.

Remember if you submit your application electronically this may not accommodate all of the required documentations. You must therefore see that all documents reach the Teacher Certification Office in the College of Education before your application can be reviewed. When appropriate, documents that will explain how the approved program differs from the standard requirements must be provided.

For example, this may include records of substitutions approved by the director of the school librarian certification program. The director of the school librarian certification program does not assume responsibility for assembling these records. Substitutions will not be approved without this record. When substitutions are made and approved be sure to ask the director for a signed statement of approval. Although these approvals will be kept in your student file in the School of Information office, retain copies of these for your personal files.

How to Apply for a Practicum (Capstone) Placement

Prerequisites and registration information are available at:

Capstone Option 388R: Practicum in School Libraries