Security Clearance in Metro Public Schools

METRO NASHVILLE SCHOOLS POLICY Updated for Spring 2008

FINGERPRINTING (for security clearance) for college students in Teacher Education Programs

The State of Tennessee requires that all college students enrolled in a teacher education program must be fingerprinted for a background check. As a result of fingerprinting, a TBI/FBI background check is done and reported to the ORI code (TN930050Z) that you provide when you register online for fingerprinting. Registration, and the $48 fee payment by credit card, can be done at http://www.tennessee.cogentid.com/ (or the fee can be paid by money order if you choose to pay the fee on site). See instructions below. Additional info: (800) 964-7690 and (877) 862-2425. Peabody requires students to be fingerprinted when the licensure program is begun, thus enabling entry into P-12 schools for observations/field work/practica/student teaching/internship at any point in the program.

You may do fingerprinting at either of the two following locations:

PREFERRED:

Option 1. AT PEABODY: On Friday, February 1st, 2008, fingerprinting by Cogent Systems will be done in classroom 104 in the Peabody Administration Building (enter from the street level at the back or sides of the building) from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. This will be the last fingerprinting on the Peabody campus until next fall. IN ORDER TO BE FINGERPRINTED, YOU MUST HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED ONLINE, PAID THE $48 FINGERPRINT FEE BY CREDIT CARD (OR BRING A $48 MONEY ORDER WITH YOU TO THE FINGERPRINT OFFICIAL WHEN YOU ARRIVE FOR FINGERPRINTING). HAVE YOUR REGISTRATION RECEIPT (that you printed after registering online) AND DRIVER'S LICENSE WITH YOU. You can do the registration at any time as long as it is done when you arrive for fingerprinting. There also is a “Permission to Receive Results” form that the fingerprint official will give you when you have been fingerprinted. You must provide a copy of the fingerprinting receipt signed by the official and the permission form for your licensure file by either bringing both documents to the Office of Teacher Licensure (210 Peabody Administration Building).

OR, Option 2: After registering/paying online, go to Metro Nashville Schools Board of Education (2601 Bransford Avenue, Nashville). Hours for fingerprinting at Metro are 8:00am-4:00pm, M-F. The same registration and fee payment options are required at Metro prior to fingerprinting. See below:

TO REGISTER FOR FINGERPRINTING, YOU NEED THE FOLLOWING:

1. Your social security number AND driver's license;
2. The ORI number for Metro Schools (TN930050Z) [so a report will go to Metro Schools HR];
3. The Office of Teacher Licensure will receive notice from Metro if there is a problem with your clearance and will contact you directly if this is the case;
4. Your receipt from online registration and credit card payment (or your receipt from online registration and a money order for $48 to give to the fingerprint official).

Suggested: Make copies of your fingerprinting receipt as follows--

1. Keep the original receipt in your “official documents file” at home;
2. Keep a copy with you at all times when you are in a Metro school.

Required:

3. Bring/send/FAX/scan a copy of your fingerprinting receipt and permission statement to the Office of Teacher Licensure (210 Peabody Administration Building) on the following required schedule:

a. for T&L undergraduates--during freshman year, prior to sophomore practicum;
b. for SPED undergraduates--prior to completing your Screening I application;
c. for all graduate students seeking licensure through T&L or SPED--prior to completing the application for Screening II;
d. for school counseling students or teachers adding a new endorsement to their license, provide the fingerprinting receipt prior to your first program-required work in a Metro school.

Note: if you have already been fingerprinted FOR METRO NASHVILLE SCHOOLS, provide a copy of your fingerprinting receipt to the Office of Teacher Licensure for your licensure file. In this case, to check that Metro still has your background clearance report, contact Metro’s Amber Tyus (615-259-8678) in Human Resources.

Please contact Chris LaFevor (Office of Teacher Licensure, 615-322-8270) if you have questions.