Foundations for teaching and learning

Learn More About KEDC’s Rank Change Program

Learn about KEDC’s low-cost alternative to earning advanced degrees including the program benefits, how it works, timeline for completion, and frequently asked questions. If you are looking for additional information,  you can sign up to speak with a program expert.

Program Benefits

Low-Cost with Deferment

The program is a low-cost alternative to graduate courses. Payment can be deferred until your expected salary increase goes into effect. 

Salary Advancement

Completion of the program enables educators to earn a Rank Change and salary advancement!

Job-Embedded Learning

Micro-credentials are job-embedded and much of the learning is integrated into your existing classroom practice.

Personalized Pathways

Select micro-endorsements you want to complete based on your personal interests and professional goals. 

Good Day Kentucky

Tanya Queen, a teacher at Catlettsburg Elementary School, is among hundreds of Kentucky teachers who are on track to earn Rank II and Rank I through this new program. Good Day Kentucky spoke with Tanya about her experience.

Interview with Roxanne Mullins

“I really appreciate that this program allows you to work at your own pace, and that much of the work is job-embedded. The program is anchored in the 10 Kentucky Teacher Standards, and since it’s micro-credential-based, I have the opportunity to really demonstrate the skills and competencies I’m learning. I’m practicing new strategies with my students in real-time.”

WLEX Best of the Bluegrass

Tanya Queen, a teacher at Catlettsburg Elementary School, speaks with WLEX Best of the Bluegrass about her experience with BloomBoard and KEDC’s low-cost Rank Change program.

SmartBrief | A Learning-by-Doing Solution to Career Advancement

Tanya Queen, a teacher at Catlettsburg Elementary School, shared her experience in this SmartBrief article.

Being involved in this program has opened my eyes to the benefit and need for an affordable alternative pathway to the traditional master’s degree program.” – Tanya Queen

Financial Incentives

Kentucky Administrative Regulations now state that districts can develop their own Continuing Education Option for licensure rank change and certificate renewal. KEDC’s continuing education program has been approved for advancement to Rank II or Rank I.

Use the salary calculator on the right to see how earning a rank change will impact your salary.

Salary Calculator

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Program Structure & Supports

 

This Foundations in Teaching and Learning program is offered by KEDC, in partnership with BloomBoard.  Founded in 2010, BloomBoard is the leading platform for educator advancement via micro-credentials.  Our platform enables educators to earn micro-credentials by demonstrating competence in one specific skill at a time using a portfolio of evidence. Micro-credentials can be grouped together into micro-endorsements to offer educators tailored routes to improve their instructional practice, and qualify for rank change and compensation acceleration.

The program requires educators to complete 12 Foundations micro-credentials, 6 personalized micro-credentials that educators can select based on personal interests and a final Capstone Project. Micro-credentials are job-embedded, meaning the learning is integrated into classroom practice and there are no traditional university-like classes or exams. Micro-credentials are also self-paced learning experiences, which allows flexibility for you to progress as your schedule allows. 

KEDC and BloomBoard will provide regularly scheduled collaborative learning community sessions for each micro-credential, led by a certified facilitator.  

Orientation

Once you’ve completed enrollment, you’ll be invited to a kickoff orientation with your program facilitator/coach and other educators in your cohort.

Success Academy

Following the orientation, attend KEDC/BloomBoard Success Academy to help support the first micro-credential submission.

1:1 Coaching

BloomBoard coaches are available for personalized 1:1 support during the program.

Asynchronous Discussions

Throughout the program, you can communicate with your coach and other educators in your cohort through the BloomBoard platform.

Sample Program Timeline

The program is flexible and allows you to work at your own pace. It is a micro-credential-based program and as such, much of the work is job-embedded and requires you to have access to students. 

Per the requirements of CEO Option II regulation, the minimum amount of time you can complete the program is 12 months while the maximum time to complete is four years. Below is a sample timeline and micro-credential sequencing. See the program guide for more examples.

  • Year 1: Educator will complete eight of the 12 micro-credentials required in the Foundations micro-endorsement.
  • Year 2: Educator will complete the remaining four micro-credentials required in the Foundations Micro-endorsement and one of the two personalized micro-endorsements selected in the program.
  • Year 3: Educator will complete the second personalized micro-endorsement selected in the program and their Capstone Project.
program timeline

Program Guide

KEDC Program Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the CEO Option?
Kentucky’s Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) has removed the requirement for teachers to earn Rank II through a board-approved master’s degree program in their first 10 years of teaching. Kentucky Administrative Regulations now state that districts can develop their own Continuing Education Option (CEO) for rank change and certificate renewal.

To support districts in offering their teachers a CEO and ensuring all requirements are met, the Kentucky Educational Development Corporation (KEDC) has developed a new low-cost continuing education framework that has been approved by the EPSB and qualifies teachers for advancement to Rank II or Rank I. This micro-credential based program was developed in partnership with BloomBoard, the leading platform for micro-credentialing. 

Is this a certification on my license?
No, the program simply qualifies an educator for Rank change in the state of Kentucky. Rank change must be recognized by any district in the state.
How much does the program cost?

The total cost of the program is $6,050. The cost can be paid upfront or BloomBoard offers flexible financing options that (upon approval) may provide educators with the opportunity to defer payment until your salary increase goes into effect.

How does the financing work?

Just like with any loan, you must first complete an application with our partners at Climb to get pre-approved. Once approved, Climb will provide you with various financing options and you can select the one that best meets your needs. Upon completion of the process your BloomBoard account will be created and you can begin the program.

What is the time commitment for completing the program?

The program is flexible and allows you to work at your own pace. It is a micro-credential based program and as such, much of the work is job-embedded and requires you to have access to students. The minimum amount of time it will take to complete is 12 months while the maximum time to complete is four years.

Are there any program supports?

Yes. The program includes a number of supports, including:

  • Upfront Orientation and Support PLC Sessions -As you begin your journey, our goal is to set you up for success. BloomBoard will lead an orientation and PLC sessions to guide you through the micro-credentials.
  • Collaboration with Peers – When you start the program you will be part of a cohort of teachers. As you work through the micro-credentials you will be able to connect with these teachers through the BloomBoard platform and during your PLC sessions.
  • Support from a Coach/Facilitator – Each cohort of teachers has an assigned facilitator and coach to support you as you work through the micro-credentials. 
  • Access to Resources – Each of the micro-credentials in the program includes relevant resources to help you successfully earn the micro-credential. 
Once I obtain financing or pay by credit card, what happens next?

If you applied for financing and are approved, below are the next steps and estimated timing:

  • Once you receive your approved offer for financing, you will need to accept and follow the process as provided by the lender. This can take 1-4 days to complete.
  • Once you have accepted the offer, there is a four day rescission period which allows you to back out or cancel the loan if needed.
  • Once you have passed the rescission period, within five business days you will receive an email with instructions for accessing your program and details on orientation to begin work. This will include pre-orientation activities to prepare, dates of orientation and BloomBoard Learning Community support sessions, and an introduction to your coach. 

If you paid via credit card: 

  • There is a four day rescission period which allows you to back out of the program if needed. 
  • Once you have passed the rescission period, within five business days you will receive an email with instructions for accessing your program and details on orientation to begin work. This will include pre-orientation activities to prepare, dates of orientation and BloomBoard Learning Community support sessions, and an introduction to your coach. 
How do I get started?

If you still have questions about the program, click the “Talk to an expert” button below to schedule time with one of our program experts. 

If you are ready to secure your spot in our next cohort, click the “Get Started” button to begin the financing process or pay by credit card.

Talk with an Expert

Want to learn more about the program and the various specialized micro-endorsements available? Fill out this form below and we’ll reach out to schedule a time to chat.