Questions about certification or renewal?  Email:  certification@coventryschools.net

PLU Verification Process at a Glance: In January of the year your certificate expires, send the following to Central Office, c/o Dawn Lima:

1. Certification Renewal Cover Sheet/Checklist - MAKE A COPY 

2. Your Aspen PLUs Printout (instructions linked)

A. If you have enough PLUs documented in Aspen for your current certification cycle, just send the cover sheet along with your Aspen printout. OR-

B. If you need to document PLUs outside of Aspen, there is ONE additional sheet (this PLU Documentation form) you would document those PLU credits on.

3. Depending on whether A or B applies above, you will either send over 2 or 3 items only.  More details, including how to determine how many PLUs you need can be found in the FAQs below.  Please email certification@coventryschools.net with additional questions.

Recertification Process FAQs

Renewal information for 2026:

• The anticipated RIDE renewal window opens January 2026 for educators with certificates expiring in 2026.
  • Educators should renew online using the RIDE Portal, no earlier than January 2026. RIDE urges all educators to renew early!
  • For questions to RIDE 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?

This can all be found on the Checklist linked at the top of this page.  Please complete that checklist to turn in to Dawn Lima at Central Office in the beginning of the year of your certificate expiration (suggest January).  Educators with LIFETIME Certificates are exempt from this process.

1. Find your current certification “Issue Date”.  This is listed on your certificate.  If you don’t have your certificate on hand, you can find your issue date by checking eCert (public certification records database): https://ecert.ride.ri.gov/public/
   1. Type in your first and last name and click “search”.  It will show you your certification expiration date as well as your “Issue Date.”
2. Determine the # of PLUs needed:
   1. This presentation (slides 6-10) can show you how many you need, based on your certification type.   Email certification@coventryschools.net if you are still uncertain.
3. In Aspen, follow these instructions to print the PD Activities you did during your current certification cycle.
4. On your Aspen printout, mark off each school year of your certification cycle and total the number of PLUs for each school year.  Then include the TOTAL number of PLUs earned during your cycle on the sheet as well.
5. If this number is equal to or greater than the number of PLUs required for your renewal, skip to step # 7.
6. If the aspen hours do not cover the amount you need, then print out a “PLU Documentation Form”.
   1. Include all other PLU activities on this form, following the instructions on the top of the form.
7. Attach your completed cover sheet/checklist (linked on the top of this page) on top of your Aspen printout (and signed PLU documentation form if needed). Please do not include any other paperwork or certificates.
8. Make copies of your packet for your files. You will be sending either 2 or 3 documents. That is all.
9. Send your packet to Dawn Lima at Central office.  Once it has been reviewed, you will receive an email stating that RIDE has been notified and that you are all set to complete your renewal in the RIDE Certificate Renewal Portal.

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

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 still log the PD on the PLU Documentation Form mentioned above, and obtain admin signature as proof of PLU credit.

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

Instructions to View or Print your Aspen PLUs

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

Make sure you have the TASKS section enabled on your Aspen home page:

1. Click on your name in the upper right hand corner

2. Select "set preferences"

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

4. Make sure the boxes next to "announcements" and "tasks" are both checked

5. Hit "OK" - the page will refresh, and you should now see the TASKS section there with the "initiate" button on the right

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

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

What do I need to have to be eligible to apply for a 7 Year Advanced Certificate?

In order to become eligible to Apply for an Advanced 7 Year Certificate, you must have met one of the Aspirational Benchmarks.  See handout from RIDE:

Aspirational Benchmarks at a Glance