Recertification Process FAQs

RIDE Update - February 2024:

RIDE shares educator certification renewal information for 2024:

• The renewal window is now open for educators with certificates expiring in 2024. Educators renewing certificates in 2024 will need to show evidence of Professional Learning Units (PLUs) as follows:
• Educators holding Initial certificates must complete 75 PLUs to progress to a Professional (5-year) certificate.  
• Those holding Professional certificates must also complete 75 PLUs to renew as a Professional (5-year) certificate. Completing 75 PLUs and an aspirational benchmark will allow Professional certificate holders to progress to an Advanced (7-year) certificate.
• Educators renewing an Advanced (7-year) certificate must meet the requirement of 75 PLUs and attain an aspirational benchmark to remain on an Advanced (7-year) certificate. Educators who do not achieve an aspirational benchmark in addition to the 75 PLUs will renew as a Professional (5-year) certificate. Evidence of aspirational benchmarks must be submitted to RIDE when renewing certificates.
• Educators can renew online using the RIDE Portal. We anticipate a heavy volume of renewal applications this year and urge all educators to renew early!
• For questions regarding certification, please email eqac@ride.ri.gov or submit a ticket at https://support.ride.ri.gov/.  

What is the process in Coventry to help me verify my PLUs required for certification renewal?

1. Determine how many PLUs you need to renew your certification.  You can find this information in the slides presentation above. 

2. District-based PLUs logged in Aspen:

a. Print out what you have for PLUs for your certification cycle in Aspen. (instructions in this video at 6:25: Aspen PLU Video Tutorial)  Please add up the total number of hours on the aspen form for your cert cycle, and write it on the top.  Then add your name to the top as well.

3. PLUs accrued from out-of-district PD:

a. Gather any certificates of completion from any “out of district” PD you’ve attended during your certification cycle.

4. Fill out the verification forms (found on this webpage) for each year of your certification cycle*, attaching the PLUs from Aspen and any certificates to show your administrator. 

You’ll need admin signatures on your:

a. data meetings/CPT (only if these weren’t credited in Aspen), 

b. any PDP PLU hours,

c. anything you attended on a PD day, but missed the deadline for requesting a PLU credit in Aspen, and 

d. anything “outside of district”, along with the attached proof.

*Alternatively, you can choose to fill out these forms each year and reserve them until they need to be submitted in your renewal year.

5. Make copies of ONLY your verification forms and your Aspen PLU print-out for Dawn Lima at CO; you keep the originals.

6. Send these copies to Dawn Lima at CO in January of your renewal year. (There's no need to send her any certificates, since your admin. will have already seen them and signed your verification form.) Dawn will verify your PLUs with RIDE.

7. Wait for Dawn to send you an email that you’re all set before you begin your renewal application with RIDE. RIDE Online Certification Portal Link

8. Check with Dawn if you haven’t heard anything in a week.

What if I have attended PD that’s not recorded in Aspen?

Any PD not recorded in Aspen can be logged on the Verification Form for that school year.  

If you miss the deadline for requesting an Aspen PLU record for a PD Day activity through Aspen's "PD Activity Request", (on or before the PD day), then you can log the PD on the verification form, in section 1, and obtain admin signature as proof of PLU credit.

If it’s a school based PD, it can be logged in Aspen; all buildings have at least one admin who can do this.  Alternatively, you can log it into part 1 of your verification form and obtain an admin signature.  

If it’s “outside of district” PD, obtain a certificate or other proof of completion citing dates and number of hours.  This should be logged on your verification form in part 2.  You’ll need to attach the proof and obtain an admin signature. 

How do I sign up to accrue PLU credit for a PD in Aspen?

Before or on the day of the PD, follow the steps in this tutorial: Aspen PLU Video Tutorial

*If you miss the deadline for requesting an Aspen PLU record for a PD Day activity through Aspen's "PD Activity Request", (on or before the PD day), then you can log the PD on the verification form, in section 1, and obtain admin signature as proof of PLU credit.

How can I see the PD activities I have in Aspen, and print them out?

Aspen PLU Video Tutorial:  3:03

What if I don’t see my “tasks” section in Aspen?

Aspen PLU Video Tutorial:  1:35

1. Click on your name in the upper right corner

2. Select "Set preferences"

3. In the box that pops up, go to the HOME tab

4. Make sure "announcements" and "tasks" are both selected

5. Hit "OK" - the page will refresh and you should see the task section there with the "initiate" button.

When can I begin accruing PLU credit in my new certification cycle?

Beginning on the "issue date" on your new certificate.