Back Row, L to R: Ajith Govind, Dave Mitchell, Ed Abrams, Elizabeth Losee, Brian Philpot, Tom Blair, Joseph Giannino, Radhika Uppaluri, Gina Daniels, Sandra Sutton, John Celso, John Brackett Center Row, L to R: Michael Schwartz, Carol Gilbert, Kelli Sulfaro, Ash Patel, Carolyn Faria, Elvio Rebolo Front Row, L to R: Joia Cicolini, Eileen Murphy, Sadasy Van, Maureen Chew, Rachael Traub, Trupti Khatri

Over the past decade recruiting and retaining educators has been an increasingly difficult task. We have seen a national trend that includes a sharp rise in the number of retiring educators, an increase in the student population and an effort to reduce class-size. All of these trends translate into a critical need for educators. The Educator Licensure and Recruitment (ELAR) project addresses this critical need.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has recently approved educator licensure regulations that clearly define a variety of alternatives for individuals who want to teach or be administrators in Massachusetts. However, the breadth of the regulations also brings a level of complexity. Prospective educators often lack the knowledge of licensure regulations and the regulations become an obstacle, preventing or slowing the individual's entry into the education field. ELAR reaches out to prospective and current educators to clearly communicate the roads to licensure.

"The ELAR system has made becoming a teacher in Massachusetts much easier. By simplifying the certification process we have made significant progress in addressing the backlog of paper applications and creating an online environment for new applicants. ELAR gives customers access to government services at their convenience by allowing prospective educators to apply for certification, existing teachers to renew their licenses and school superintendents the ability to request waivers and check the license status of potential employees at any point in time. The system will help us attract the best possible educators out there and move us closer to our goal of having a top notch teacher for every classroom." Dr. David P. Driscoll, Commissioner of Education, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Furthermore, the process of licensure has been a challenge for many individuals. Historically, applications take months (frequently six months or more) before they are initially reviewed. Through a variety of process changes the use of the Internet and the new regulations, ELAR removes many of the components that create this backlog. Many individuals can be licensed immediately upon entering their application and payment on-line. Educators can manage all their license functions on-line. Users can understand how to become an educator, apply for their licenses, manage their licenses, maintain their professional development plans and find employment opportunities on-line. A significant portion (if not the majority) of students in Massachusetts receiving education degrees do not end up teaching in the state. By leveraging the data tracked by ELAR and through interfaces with other agencies the state ensures these prospective educators stay and work in Massachusetts schools. There are a wealth of individuals that must be aware of the incentives and tools at their disposal if they teach in Massachusetts.

ELAR will help the Commonwealth meet its mission statement and meet the Federal requirements to ensure there is a highly qualified educator in every classroom.

Through improved processing and functionality, ELAR will provide significant financial benefits to the State. The business plan for this effort identified savings in excess of $1.5 million over five years. $2.5 million per year is also collected in licensing fees.

Additionally, the long-term goals of ELAR include the collection of employment information that will fulfill Federal and state reporting requirements and include tremendous resources for local schools to ensure every classroom has a highly qualified teacher in front of our students.

Contact Information: Maureen W. Chew, Chief Information Officer, Office of Information Services and Technology, (781) 338-6891, Fax: (781) 338-6850, mchew@doe.mass.edu.

SECOND PLACE:
Indiana
Indiana Department of Revenue's I-File

THIRD PLACE:
Missouri
Internet On-line Claims Filing System

OTHER NOMINATIONS:
Click on the link to download program submission.

Colorado
Colorado Integrated Criminal Justice Information System (CICJIS)

Florida
MyFlorida.com

Idaho
Idaho Attorney General's No Call List Website and Purchase and Registration Applications

Kansas
Kansas Job Link

Kentucky
IVR Deer Harvest Program

Montana
Criminal Offenders Network - Online Service

Nevada
Employment Insurance Internet Claim System

New York
New York City Teams With Information Builders to Launch Online Restaurant Inspection System

North Carolina
North Carolina's Portal to Automated Unemployment Insurance Services

Ohio
Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) eNOTICE service

Rhode Island
Online Boat Registration Renewal Service

South Dakota
Service Direct

Texas
State of Texas Assistance and Referral System

Utah
Utah Community Services Directory

Virginia
VEC Claim for Benefits

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