Teacher_Education_Handbook

*The term criminal offense includes misdemeanor and felony offenses. It does not include petty offenses such as minor traffic offenses including but not limited to: Speeding tickets, stop sign violations, or careless driving offenses. All Class I misdemeanor offenses and Class II non- traffic misdemeanor offenses must be disclosed. *On the application, you will be expected to list the offense and date/year it occurred. Also you will be required to provide copies of all certified court documents relating to the criminal matter/offense.  Have you ever been convicted or pleaded guilty to any criminal offense? *The term conviction includes a finding of guilt by a judge or jury; or admission of guilt or plea of guilty; or a plea without an admission of guilty. You must include those crimes where the sentence was stayed, suspended, executed or you received a suspended imposition of sentence.  Has it ever been determined by a judge or jury in South Dakota or elsewhere that a child or minor adult was abused or neglected through your actions or omissions?  Have you ever been in arrears or failed to pay child support in this state or elsewhere? *Certificates will not be issued to anyone in child support arrears according to SDCL-25.7A-56.  Have you ever had any credential certificate or license authorizing school teaching or educational service suspended, revoked, voided, cancelled, denied, rescinded, rejected for cause and/or otherwise taken away in South Dakota or in any other state, commonwealth, territory or possession of the United States or elsewhere?  Is there any type of adverse action pending against any credential, license, or certificate that you now hold or have ever held that authorizes school teaching or educational service?  Have you ever left employment, been discharged, terminated or resigned to avoid dismissal or disciplinary action?  Have you ever held a license, certificate or credential, other than as a teacher or administrator which has been revoked, cancelled, rescinded, suspended or taken away in South Dakota or elsewhere?  Is there any information not disclosed by your answers concerning your background, history, experience, education or activities which may have some bearing on your character, moral fitness or eligibility to teach or hold an administrative position in South Dakota and which should be placed at the disposal or brought to the attention of the South Dakota Department of Education? The Applicant Conduct Review Statement, which requires disclosure of arrests, indictments, charges, etc. in addition to convictions and which must be completed at application for certification, is provided for informational purposes only at this time. The Director of Field Experiences receives all disclosure forms to be filed in candidates’ permanent folders. The South Dakota Department of Education makes decisions regarding certification.