OAR 584-220-0055
Chemistry

(1) Purpose: A Chemistry endorsement indicates that an educator is qualified to teach prekindergarten through grade 12 assignments in Chemistry as provided by the TSPC course catalouge for Chemistry.

(2)

An educator is not authorized to teach in the endorsed area unless and until the endorsement is officially added to the license, except as provided in OAR 584-210-0170 (Atypical Assignments), Atypical Assignments and OAR 584-210-0160 (License for Conditional Assignment), License on Conditional Assignment.

(3)

Adding to Existing Preliminary Teaching License: A Chemistry endorsement may be added to an existing Preliminary Teaching license by demonstrating content knowledge and completing Chemistry pedagogy requirements as defined in this rule. To be eligible to add a Chemistry endorsement to an existing Preliminary Teaching License, an applicant must:

(a)

Meet one of the following Chemistry content knowledge requirements:

(A)

Provide documentation of a passing score on the Commission-approved subject mastery test for Chemistry; or

(B)

Complete Commission-approved coursework of at least twenty seven quarter or eighteen semester hours designed to develop competency in Chemistry that includes organic and physical chemistry.

(C)

At least fifty percent (50%) of the Chemistry coursework must have been completed within five years prior to the date of application for the endorsement.

(b)

Meet one of the following Chemistry pedagogy requirements:

(A)

Admission to and completion of a Commission-approved Chemistry preparation program; or

(B)

Complete a Chemistry pedagogy course of at least three quarter or two semester hours acceptable to the Commission. The course must include the word pedagogy or methods in the course title or must be acceptable to the Commission upon evaluation of course syllabi or other evidence; or

(C)

Complete a supervised practicum in a chemistry assignment in a public school setting. To verify the practicum, a school district must submit a PEER form and a statement verifying that:

(i)

The applicant completed at least 60 hours of a supervised practicum in chemistry courses;

(ii)

The practicum was supervised by a teacher holding a Professional, Teacher Leader or Legacy Teaching license with a chemistry endorsement.If the school or school district is unable to provide a teacher with a Chemistry endorsement, the school or school district may permit a teacher holding a Professional, Teacher Leader or Legacy Teaching license with an alternate endorsement to supervise the practicum as approved by the Director of Licensure. The reason for using a supervisor with an alternate endorsement must be noted on the verification statement for the practicum; and

(iii)

The applicant has obtained the required pedagogy skills to teach chemistry.

(D)

At the Executive Director’s or Licensure Director’s discretion, other Chemistry teaching experience such as teaching in at a post-secondary institution or in a private school setting may qualify to satisfy the practicum experience. In these settings, verification from the employer of satisfactory completion of the teaching experience with at least 60 clock hours of Chemistry instruction is required to qualify as a suitable practicum to add the endorsement.

(c)

Submit a complete and correct application to obtain the endorsement in the form and manner required by the Commission, including payment of all required fees as provided in OAR 584-200-0050 (Fees).

(4)

Adding to Other Existing Licenses: To be eligible to add a Chemistry endorsement to an existing Professional, Teacher Leader or Legacy teaching license, an applicant must:

(a)

Meet one of the following content knowledge requirements:

(A)