According to the old rules, any teacher who wants to earn more could voluntarily submit documents to assign a category - second, first or highest. The second category was assigned to the teacher by the leadership of the educational institution in which he works, the first - by the district department of education, the highest - at the ministerial level.
Now the second category has been abolished, and certification of teachers is now the responsibility of educational authorities at the level of the subject of the Russian Federation. In addition, certification of teachers has become mandatory, now every 5 years a teacher must confirm their compliance with the position. If the teacher did not confirm the qualification on time, the category is canceled. It is possible to pass certification on the 1st category of the teacher or the highest category voluntarily.
Certification of education workers without fail
Every teacher who does not have a category and has not expressed a voluntary desire to receive it, must undergo mandatory certification every five years. The following shall be exempted from the need to confirm the conformity of the position:
- teachers who have worked in this position for no more than two years;
- pregnant women and women on maternity leave (certification will not be earlier than two years after going to work).
Separate rules apply to teachers who have been absent from work for more than four months due to illness. Such a category of teachers will have to undergo certification no earlier than a year after going to work, but if such a teacher expresses a desire to receive (or confirm) a category earlier, then the commission cannot prevent him from attesting.
An application for certification, which the employee passes without fail, is submitted by the employer. In the event that a teacher holds several positions with one employer and does not have a category for any of them, the latter can submit for confirmation of qualifications immediately for all posts. If a teacher works in a specialty simultaneously for two different employers, each of them has the right to submit an application.
Documents to confirm the conformity of the position
The employer (educational institution where the teacher is employed) submits the following package of papers for consideration by the certification committee:
- a statement signed by the director of the school or other institution from which the teacher was presented for certification, as well as the pedagogical worker himself;
- copies of the decision of the certification committee from the previous certification (if the teacher has previously received or confirmed the category);
- copies of documents on the education of the employee: diploma (s) from a secondary specialized or higher educational institution on teacher education;
- copy of the document confirming the successful certification for the 1st category of teacher or the highest category (if any);
- copies of documents on the change of surname (if the surname changed);
- detailed description of the teacher from the place of work or a cover letter that can confirm the level of qualification of the teacher.
A month after the submission of the commission documents, the teacher will receive information on the time, date and place of certification at the home address.
How is the mandatory certification of teachers for 1 category
In the course of confirming the conformity of the position, teachers pass tests on issues related to professional activities. Tests are conducted in writing or electronically. By decision of the educational authorities of the constituent entity of the Russian Federation, compulsory certification for the 1st category of a teacher of mathematics, the Russian language, primary school and other pedagogical workers can take place in other forms, as provided for by confirmation or receipt of the category on a voluntary basis. After evaluating the answers, the certification committee can determine the level of development of modern teaching and upbringing methods.
Voluntary certification for teacher category 1
Voluntary certification of a teacher may be carried out at his own request. The right to undergo voluntary confirmation of compliance with the position held:
- educators who do not have a category;
- teachers with 1 category, if the deadline for passing the last certification is ending.
In addition, pregnant women and those on maternity leave, teachers who have worked in their positions for less than two years can apply for assignment or confirmation of a category.
For teachers who have confirmed the highest category, the right to undergo voluntary certification is established differently.
Filing procedure and required papers
In the case of voluntary certification, the teacher submits the documents. Certain deadlines for submitting an application are not provided for at the legislative level, so a teacher can apply to the certification committee at any time. True, for teachers who already have a category, there is a certain condition: it is advisable for them to submit documents no later than three months before the expiration of the previous qualification confirmation.
The teacher, who decided to independently pass the certification, must submit the following package of documents:
- application (the form can be obtained from the education department);
- A photocopy of the previous decision of the commission (if the teacher had already passed certification);
- certification sheet, which must be completed inclusively to the seventh paragraph;
- portfolio of professional achievements.
Documents are submitted to the certification commission of the education department of the subject of the Russian Federation. The commission will consider the application within a month, after which a decision will be made on the date, time and place of certification.
Requirements for teachers of the 1st category
Voluntary certification for the 1st category of teacher implies the compliance of the teacher to certain requirements. These include:
- possession of the latest educational and educational methods, the application of knowledge in practical activities;
- contribution to raising the level of education by improving methods of education and training;
- the results of students mastering the program (dynamics and achievements should be above average in the subject of the Russian Federation).
Certification to the 1st category of a teacher does not require the presence of any qualification category, since the previous, second category has been abolished by the latest changes in the legislation. The requirement remains relevant only for those teachers who pass the highest category.
How is a teacher's voluntary certification
The certification of teachers for the 1st category takes place in the form of an expert evaluation of the portfolio of an education worker. In addition, the teacher can hold an open lesson, a pedagogical event, a master class, provide an analytical or creative report. The portfolio of pedagogical achievements is a form of introspection of the teacher.
Successful voluntary certification for the 1st category of a Russian language teacher involves an in-depth analysis of three points:
- knowledge of educational and educational methods (the teacher can describe what methods he uses in daily activities);
- contribution to raising the level of education (for example, organizing and conducting thematic class hours, events, taking the initiative);
- students' results (indicators of mastering programs, olympiads and competitions in which students won prizes).
Certification to the 1st category of a teacher of English, biology, geography, mathematics or another subject involves the analysis of pedagogical activity and achievements on the same points. Some differences, however, are available. For example, certification on the 1st category of a physical education teacher gives more opportunities in presenting students' results. The portfolio of primary school teachers also differs (due to the age-specific nature of students). In introspection for certification to the 1st category, primary school teachers may mention the implementation of the learning process in a game form (the use of didactic games), the use of health-saving technologies and so on.
Certification Commission Decision
Based on the results of an expert assessment of the teacher’s portfolio (or, in the case of mandatory confirmation of qualifications, written or electronic answers to questions), the commission decides: “corresponds to the category” (“assign a category”) or “does not correspond” (“do not assign a category”) .
Appeal of the results of certification
In the event that the teacher partially or completely disagrees with the decision of the commission, he may appeal. The decision can be appealed in court. The application must be submitted within 3 months from the day the decision was made.