Teacher Licensure Advancement
Currently as part of the 3-Tiered Licensure System licensure advancement system, teachers have two options for licensure advancement. Teachers may complete the National Board Certification for Teachers (NBCT) or the Advancement Program Level (APL) Micro-Credentials to advance from Level 1 to Level 2 and from Level 2 to Level 3. Teacher License Advancement (NBCT & APL) – New Mexico Public Education Department
Use these links to review more information on NBCT and APL Micro-Credentials
Level 1 Teacher Licensure Advancement Options and Eligibility
Level 2 Teacher Licensure Advancement Options and Eligibility
ADVANCING VIA APL MICRO-CREDENTIALS
The Advance Program Level (APL) micro-credentials for Level 1 teachers advancing to Level 2 and Level 2 teachers advancing to Level 3 is a competency-based process that is made up of stacked courses, each focused on a discrete skill or area aligned with the four domains in Elevate NM, the educator evaluation system. The information and resources in these micro-credentials provide a connection between instruction and evaluation by providing learning opportunities that support what “Applying” and “Innovating” teachers do on a regular basis. Additionally, every micro-credential has an assigned facilitator (APL I-II) or a reviewer(APL II-III) to guide and mentor the educator through the content of the micro-credential.
*Time of completion is based on continuous enrollment and successful completion of the micro-credentials.
By enrolling in the APL Micro-Credential program for licensure advancement, educators are taking the next step to advance their professional goals. Each micro-credential provides rich information to add to the educators’ pedagogical skills. It is critical to keep an open and growth mindset, digest the information and truly invest time and energy into producing quality responses to the assignments. We have attempted to be inclusive of all types of educators by aligning a variety of instructional content with various grade/content levels.
Although there are opportunities for refinement and resubmission, taking the time on the onset will benefit an educator’s learning. Educators are encouraged to use their talents and understanding to provide high quality responses. Educators are encouraged to reach out to the facilitator or reviewer assigned to their section if they are unsure of how an idea or concept applies to their subject or current teaching situation.
A micro-credential is earned when the stacked courses have been successfully completed, and the educator has demonstrated proficiency in the skill or area with a score of 85% or higher on the mastery components of each micro-credential. The Mastery Component assignments are designed to provide an opportunity for the teacher to demonstrate understanding of key concepts presented in the micro-credential. The successful completion of each micro-credential will make an educator eligible to progress to the next micro-credential.
An educator who has successfully completed all required micro-credentials will receive a culminating badge, which they will use in their process to apply for licensure advancement.
APL I-II LICENSURE ADVANCEMENT FOR LEVEL I TEACHERS
APLI-II is made up of a series of five micro-credentials (Classroom Environment, Assessment Literacy, Multi-Layered Systems of Support, Culturally Linguistically Responsive Instruction, and Family Engagement), which are aligned with the four domains in Elevate NM, the educator evaluation system. The series of micro-credentials are taken one at a time in sequential order which will take about 12 weeks each. Each micro-credential costs $60.00, (the entire program cost is $300.00).
Each micro-credential for Level I teachers is paced, semi-asynchronously, with a syllabus containing due dates for assignment submissions to complete the micro-credential by the end of each quarter. Please review Link for Micro-Credential Date Information and Enrollment
Level 1 teachers may begin participating in the APLI-II micro-credential pathway as early as their first year of teaching. Level 1 Teachers can begin their enrollment by using this APL I-II INTENT TO ENROLL REGISTRATION LINK.
ELIGIBILITY TO ADVANCE TO LEVEL 2
A Level 1 teacher is eligible to advance to Level 2 via the APL I-II Micro-Credentials when they have:
- Completed the required mentorship program for Level 1 teachers
- Taught three full school years with a Level 1 teaching license and successful annual evaluations for those three years.
- Teachers with an Alternative License must complete the requirements of the Alternative License.
- Successfully completed five required micro-credential courses with a proficiency score of 85% or higher
APL II-III Licensure Advancement for Level II Teachers
APL II-III requires the completion of a total of four micro-credentials. Two of those are required micro-credentials: Social Emotional Learning and New Mexico Educational Acts. Two additional micro-credentials are selected from a growing Library of Elective Micro-Credentials. Teachers may enroll for only one micro-credential every 12 weeks. Each micro-credential costs $60.00, (the entire program cost is $240.00).
Each micro-credential for Level II teachers is paced with a syllabus containing recommended due dates for assignment submissions to complete the micro-credential by the end of each quarter. Please review Link for Micro-Credential Date Information and Enrollment
*Note for Vocational License Teachers holding Level 2 license
ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN APL II-III MICRO-CREDENTIALS
All Level 2 teachers are eligible to participate at any point of their teaching career. Level 2 Teachers can begin their enrollment by using this APL II-III Intent to Enroll Registration Link
ELIGIBILITY TO ADVANCE TO LEVEL 3
A Level 2 teacher is eligible to advance to Level 3 via the APL II-III Micro-Credentials when they have:
- Successfully completed four micro-credentials with a mastery score of 85% or higher
- Taught three full school years with a Level 2 teaching license and successful annual evaluations for those three years.
- Earned a master’s degree.
Contact
For Information please email APL.micro-cred@ped.nm.gov