LDOE to end PDF certification forms as new online teacher-application portal goes live

The Louisiana Department of Education on July 28 demonstrated a new online application system for teacher preparation providers that will replace the agency’s PDF application workflow, staff said.

The system, integrated into the Louisiana educator portal, will run concurrently with the existing TeachLA Live PDF process for about two weeks. LDOE officials said any remaining PDF applications must be submitted by Aug. 11; beginning Aug. 12 all new certification applications must be started and completed in the new online system.

Lana Hutchinson, deputy director for certification at the Louisiana Department of Education, led the training and live demonstration. She said the portal is intended to centralize preparation, certification and evaluation processes and to reduce routine processing errors. Hutchinson noted that the portal “launched on July 28” and that the agency has built time for question-and-answer sessions while providers and candidates gain access to the new system.

The agency outlined steps both providers and candidates must take to use the portal. Candidates who do not already have a Myla (My Louisiana) single-sign-on account will need to create one; candidates…