Educators must answer these questions carefully and honestly. If an educator has previously reported criminal or unethical behavior that has been cleared by the PSC, it does not need to be reported on subsequent applications for certification. DUI arrests and convictions must be reported. When applying for employment in a school system, educators must disclose their entire criminal, educational, and employment history. Falsification on employment applications may lead to rejection or termination.
Some school systems require the background checks for all employees.
In addition, official court documents providing the final disposition or outcome of the case may be submitted. When a complaint is received and determination is made that the PSC has jurisdiction to investigate, the matter is assigned to a PPS investigator. If a hearing is requested, an administrative law judge will hear the case and make an initial decision either concurring with or modifying the PSC's proposed sanction. If neither the educator nor the PSC requests a review of the judge's decision, the Commission adopts it as a final disciplinary action. Click here for a more detailed description of this multi-step process.