COST Credential Evaluation & Transcript Review 3 ā Questions and Answers
Question 1: An out-of-state teacher earned a degree from a college that lost regional accreditation after the teacher graduated. How does this typically affect credential evaluation?
- The degree may still be accepted if the institution was accredited at the time of graduation (Correct answer)
- The degree is automatically invalidated regardless of when it was earned
- The teacher must retake all undergraduate coursework
- Accreditation status at graduation has no bearing on evaluation
Correct answer: The degree may still be accepted if the institution was accredited at the time of graduation
Most states evaluate accreditation status at the time of degree conferral, so a degree earned while an institution was accredited is generally still recognized.
Question 2: Which professional organization maintains a national database of educator licenses that states can query during the out-of-state evaluation process?
- NASDTEC (National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification) (Correct answer)
- NEA (National Education Association)
- AFT (American Federation of Teachers)
- CCSSO (Council of Chief State School Officers)
Correct answer: NASDTEC (National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification)
NASDTEC maintains the Educator License Information (ELI) system, which allows states to verify out-of-state license status and disciplinary history.
Question 3: A transcript shows a grade of 'CR' for a course. How would an evaluator most likely interpret this when determining credit toward licensure?
- As credit earned under a pass/fail or credit/no-credit grading system, and the state's minimum grade policy would apply (Correct answer)
- As a failing grade that cannot be counted
- As an honors distinction equivalent to an A
- As a transfer credit that must be discarded
Correct answer: As credit earned under a pass/fail or credit/no-credit grading system, and the state's minimum grade policy would apply
A 'CR' (Credit) grade indicates the student passed under a non-traditional grading scale; states then apply their own policy on whether such credit meets requirements.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes 'reciprocity' in the context of teacher licensure?
- An agreement allowing a valid license from one state to be recognized by another state without full re-examination (Correct answer)
- A requirement that teachers return to their original state after five years
- A federal mandate that all states must issue identical licenses
- A process by which districtsānot statesāapprove out-of-state teachers
Correct answer: An agreement allowing a valid license from one state to be recognized by another state without full re-examination
Reciprocity is a state-to-state recognition arrangement that streamlines licensure for teachers who hold a valid, comparable license elsewhere.
Question 5: When reviewing an out-of-state candidate's transcript for a secondary math endorsement, an evaluator notices coursework in statistics listed under the psychology department. What is the most appropriate next step?
- Request the course catalog description to verify whether the content meets mathematics subject-matter standards (Correct answer)
- Reject the course automatically because it is not in the math department
- Accept the course unconditionally because statistics is a math-related field
- Ask the candidate to retake the course at a different institution
Correct answer: Request the course catalog description to verify whether the content meets mathematics subject-matter standards
Department placement does not determine course content; evaluators check course descriptions to verify alignment with endorsement requirements.
Question 6: What is the significance of a 'clear' or 'standard' license designation on an out-of-state teacher's credential during evaluation?
- It indicates the teacher completed all initial requirements without conditions, which often allows for more streamlined reciprocity (Correct answer)
- It means the teacher has a doctoral degree
- It signals the teacher has never been evaluated before
- It automatically grants National Board Certification
Correct answer: It indicates the teacher completed all initial requirements without conditions, which often allows for more streamlined reciprocity
A 'clear' or 'standard' license shows the teacher met all preparation and testing requirements in the issuing state, making reciprocity processing smoother.
Question 7: A state requires 15 semester hours of reading coursework for elementary certification. An out-of-state candidate has 9 hours. What is the most likely outcome of the credential evaluation?
- A deficiency of 6 credit hours in reading will be noted, and the candidate must complete additional coursework (Correct answer)
- The candidate will be denied permanently with no path to licensure
- The candidate will receive a full license because the hours are close enough
- The state will waive the requirement due to the candidate's out-of-state experience
Correct answer: A deficiency of 6 credit hours in reading will be noted, and the candidate must complete additional coursework
When a candidate falls short of specific credit-hour requirements, states typically issue a deficiency notice specifying what must be completed for full licensure.
COST Credential Evaluation & Transcript Review 3
An out-of-state teacher earned a degree from a college that lost regional accreditation after the teacher graduated.
How does this typically affect credential evaluation?