VIDALIA &045;&045; Major changes in the way teachers and administrators are certified are coming in Louisiana, and personnel directors from around the state have spent the last two days grasping the details.

The biggest change discussed at the Louisiana School Association of School Personnel Directors and Administrators spring conference, being held in Vidalia for the first time, is the new educational leadership structure, state director of certification Stan Beaubouef said.

While the track to administration is going to be tougher, both teachers and administrators will no longer be able to achieve lifetime certification.

Each will be given a ranking on three levels based on their coursework and licensing exams, Beaubouef said. Every five years the teachers and administrators will have to be re-certified.

&uot;It’s a pretty significant change, I think for the better,&uot; Beaubouef said. &uot;It’s all focused on student performance.&uot;

LSASPA President Linda Busfield said the conference, held in the spring and fall, often centers on teacher certification. Personnel directors gathered at the Comfort Suites on Wednesday and will leave today around noon.

&uot;This is a really good opportunity for us, on a casual level, to network,&uot; Busfield said.

The conference also included a tour of Natchez homes and a Beau Pr/ golf tournament Wednesday. Students from Concordia Parish schools participated in the conference by performing.

Concordia Parish School District Personnel Director Ann Sandidge and Gloria Dangerfield served as local coordinators for the conference.