Online CER Courses (PSA)

[Pgh.Coach]

Has anyone taken the PSA's online courses for the Continuing Education Requirements (CER)?

I fall into Category B: "...one who is coaching, teaching or instructing one or more skaters or teams that are participating in non- qualifying levels of sanctioned competitions or championships. This includes, but is not limited to: primary coaches, choreographer, assistant coaches, and element specialists (spin coaches, jump coaches, style coaches etc.); U.S. Figure Skating tests (pre-preliminary and up); Nonqualifying competitions (pre-preliminary and up); Nonqualifying event at a qualifying competition."

This category requires me to take sports safety, ethics training, and U.S. figure skating rules courses; however, it appears that only the ethic and U.S. figure skating rules courses are available for registration.

I'm planning to start taking mine online in the next few weeks, and I'm interested in hearing others experiences with the courses. Please state your category (A or B) as well as which course(s) you have taken.

[phoenix]

Actually I don't think the CER courses are required for this year.

Can anyone confirm this? I don't have my new rulebook yet. (of course, probably neither does anyone else!)

[Clarice]

According to the USFS web site, the Continuing Education Requirements go into effect on July 1, 2010. That is, you have to have earned the necessary credits by that date.

[Pgh.Coach]

Actually I don't think the CER courses are required for this year.

I believe you're correct; I was just hoping to get a headstart on mine. That would explain why the PSA has only listed two of the required 3 courses so far.

[sk8lady]

I took one online course, on teaching groups, prior to taking my PSA Registered Group Coaching exam, thinking it would help serve as a study aid.

It was HORRIBLE. It was as though someone had attended the Basic Skills "How to Take Groups" course and put some, not all, of their notes online and called it a course. It was completely useless and I couldn't believe I spent money on it. I certainly didn't LEARN anything from it, and it was not helpful as a study aid, either.

[Pgh.Coach]

I took one online course, on teaching groups, prior to taking my PSA Registered Group Coaching exam, thinking it would help serve as a study aid.

Are you referring to the Individual Course "Basic Skills - 101 Group Instruction" that is offered for $30? If so, I don't believe that it's one of the courses required for CER but rather a course for "personal advancement", as the PSA puts it.

Still, that's interesting since I was considering eventually taking that course down the road. Now it's looking like perhaps attending a seminar would be more beneficial before taking at least that particular course online...

[phoenix]

The one online course I took a couple years ago was also horrible, no good information, and what was there was very short. I paid $30 for that too, and it was useless. (it was the one for sit spins) It basically contained a description of what a sit spin is. I'm not kidding.

[megndave.]

I did the online class for camel spins and it too was a waste of money. Basically it described what a camel spin is - I didn't learn a thing and so I haven't done any more of their courses.

[Pgh.Coach]

Wow! With all these poor reviews on the Individual Courses, I'm hoping that the CER courses are a little better. I'll be curious to hear reviews for the CERs once enough coaches start taking them. And, of course, I'll be sure to post my own review if I do happen to take one of 'em in the next few weeks.

[Pgh.Coach]

Well, I did it: I took and passed the first two of my required 3 CER courses through the PSA. Here's my reviews on each for those who may be interested.

The first course I took was Ethics - 101. Upon registering ($15), I was taken to a page that listed my course status ("registered" at the time), the course name, course date and location, as well as course access and course materials. The course access is basically an overview of the topics that particular course covers. For this course: Ethics Introduction; Respect; Responsibilities of Professional Coaching; and Professional Integrity. After reading that over, I opened the course materials page, which contained links to open the PSA Code of Ethics, Synchronized Ethics Guidelines, and Tenets of Professionalism, all of which can remain open to reference during the test.

The actual Ethics - 101 test was 20 multiple choice and true/false questions. I was given a time limit of 60 minutes for this test, although you likely will not need all 60 minutes. (I completed the test in approximately 12 minutes.)

After answering all the questions, I submitted my test and received my score: 20/20 or 100%! :D

This afternoon I took the second course, U.S. Figure Skating Rules, which is a 20 true/false and multiple choice exam similar to the format of the Ethics - 101 course and test. On this course, I was tested on information pertaining to: The Structure of U.S. Figure Skating; The Structure of the U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook; Rules of the Sport and Policies; and the Glossary. Register ($15) and you will see the same page format as appeared for the Ethics - 101 course and test. There are no course materials to open online, just the rulebook.

Although this test contains just 20 questions, you are given 90 minutes to complete the test. I finished it in about 20 minutes (although I can see how some individuals will benefit from the full 90 minutes.) I proceeded to sumbit my test and got a score of 80%, missing just 4 questions. Not too bad, I suppose, especially considering I didn't exactly have my rulebook on me. :oops:

Overall, I'd recommend taking the Ethics - 101 course first. The material covered is much more basic and you can reference the course materials more quickly than searching through the rulebook for the U.S. Figure Skating Rules course. The Ethic questions are based more or less on common sense, posing situations like, "What is an ethical example of coaching?" and providing answers like, "Giving credit to another coach when he/she deserves it," "Encouraging a skater to take performace enhancing drugs," or "Soliciting skaters through a third-party."

The U.S. Figure Skating Rules test, on the other hand, is a bit more indepth. You will need a rulebook--or at least benefit from using one; don't push it like me, LOL! While you can still passed the test relying on stored knowledge or personal experience, having an up-to-date rulebook will save you a great deal of time, especially if you are a less experienced coach or do not reference the rulebook on a regular basis. (Had I had my rulebook on-hand, I easily could have scored another 100%.) The questions tell you exactly which section of the rulebook and which particular rules to reference; however, you must be willing to put the time in to look up these rules. You will not need to reference the Test Book, the spiral bound book that includes information on freestyle, dance, MIF, pairs, synchro, etc.

[sk8lady]

Anyone else been to a Nationwide Seminar yet this year and been shocked by the updates to the CER requirements?

I'm truly horrified that what originally seemed to be an honest effort to keep coaches learning new ideas by requiring some attendance at conferences/seminars has turned into nothing more than 3-4 online multiple choice tests, which altogether will cost more than attending a seminar.

I sure hope they tweak this--since I'm a rated coach, I now have to attend enough educational events to make up 28 credits over 3 years, PLUS I'll have to take $75 worth of crappy tests, PLUS the fee to the online company that adminsters the tests. (Plus the coaching registration fee, the PSA membership, and insurance--unless I increase the number of students I have or raise my rates, this is clearly NOT going to be something I'm doing because it's cost-effective.) I've been doing CER for years since it's required for attorney licensing in my state and the only time they require testing is when it's online, to make sure you actually at least READ the stuff instead of paying for it and switching it off.

I really don't see the point of requiring rated coaches to participate in MORE than they're already doing.

NOT HAPPY. :frus:

[Pgh.Coach]

Anyone else been to a Nationwide Seminar yet this year and been shocked by the updates to the CER requirements?

I'm truly horrified that what originally seemed to be an honest effort to keep coaches learning new ideas by requiring some attendance at conferences/seminars has turned into nothing more than 3-4 online multiple choice tests, which altogether will cost more than attending a seminar.

I have not been to a Nationwide Seminar yet, but I would guess that the reason why the online tests are available is to make attaining these CER requirements more accessible to those coaches who are unable to attend a Seminar.

I have to agree that these online tests are...well, pointless. Perhaps pointless is not the word, but I think the PSA definintely could have done a better job in deciding what these tests will cover, especially on their Ethics test.

[kander]

I have not been to a Nationwide Seminar yet, but I would guess that the reason why the online tests are available is to make attaining these CER requirements more accessible to those coaches who are unable to attend a Seminar.

I have to agree that these online tests are...well, pointless. Perhaps pointless is not the word, but I think the PSA definintely could have done a better job in deciding what these tests will cover, especially on their Ethics test.

Just out of curiosity, what are some of the questions on the test?

Kevin

[Pgh.Coach]

Just out of curiosity, what are some of the questions on the test?

Kevin

Sorry, I can't remember everything; however, I did post a thread about the CER requirements right after I took the exams: http://www.skatingforums.com/showpost.php?p=373988&postcount=10

My reactions to the exams are toward the end. Perhaps that'll help you.

[CoachPA]

Just wanted to mention that the third course for Category B coaches, "Sport Safety 101" is now available on the PSA's website for those who still need to complete their CER requirements!

[Isk8NYC]

Just a reminder that these requirements have to be completed by the end of June 2010 to be in effect for the 2010-2011 season.

US Figure Skating info page: http://www.usfigureskating.org/content.asp?menu=coaches&id=378

PSA page: https://psa.prosperitylms.com/req/psa_student/

I'm a little confused though - I'm a Category B coach.

The USFSA pdf says:
Category B
Coach/choreographer of a skater(s) at nonqualifying competitions, test sessions, test track competitions and/or nonqualifying events at regionals

Requires three CER courses annually, beginning July 1, 2010
Ethics, Sport Safety, U.S. Figure Skating Rules
Cost if all courses are taken online by a PSA member: $40
$15 online registration fee, $25 for online Sport Safety course
Source: http://www.usfigureskating.org/content/CER%20Categories.pdf

The links and wording on the PSA e-Learning site is confusing: it makes it seem like you have to take multiple courses (at 1 credit/$25 each) to fulfill the requirement for each of the three courses.

Starting 2011, we'll have to take $90 of online courses each year on top of any other educational events we pursue. I understand Pgh.Coach's concern better now.

Allegedly, these are being offered at various PSA workshops as well as online. I'll do some research and see if they save any money. (They should if they really want coaches to attend seminars.)

[Clarice]

I'm not sure where you're getting $90 of online courses? For Category B coaches, the total cost is $40 and for Category A it's $65. The Ethics and Rules tests are both covered by the $15 registration fee. At least that's all I did, and I'm listed as Category B compliant for 2010-2011. Am I missing something?

[Isk8NYC]

The $40 is for THIS year. They're offering two credits for free (Ethics, Sports Safety/Science) but the USFS Rules course costs $25 plus a $15 admin fee, so the total for now is $40.

In 2011, there are three more credits that we have to "earn." Unless they'll let us take free courses again (yeah, right), each will cost $25.

3 courses @ $25 = $75 + $15 e-learning site fee = $90 starting 2011. (I'm assuming the costs will stay the same.)

[Clarice]

Okay, I see what you're saying now. That's unclear, though. I knew we needed to renew the credits each year, but I haven't seen where it specifically said we had to take the more advanced courses to do that. Eventually they'd run out of different courses, wouldn't they? Silly me, I thought maybe they'd just update the basic tests and have us retake them.

[Isk8NYC]

This morning, I received an email reminder about the CER Certification. As of today, there are only 60 days left to complete CER requirements. (If you miss the deadline, I wonder if they'll let you take it late and give you credit for the 2010-2011 year? Things that make me go hmmmm....)


I passed the Ethics course today.
I checked a few sources that weren't in the recommended reading, just to verify what I thought was the correct answer.

USOC Ethics Guidelines:
http://usacoaching.org/resources/Coaching%20Ethics%20Code_new.pdf

PSA GRIEVANCE Procedure:
http://www.skatepsa.com/PDF%20Documents/Grievance%20Procedure.pdf



There's one Ethics question that's worded oddly. It is regarding which agreements have to be enforced, verbal, written, both, neither. If you change the colon ( : ) at the end of the question fragment to an ellipse (...), the question makes more sense and is very simple-you're just completing the sentence. The punctuation confused me a bit. I think it was from reading on screen.

[HelenC]

I'm not a coach, but would like advice for our synchro coach. She is coaching us for free, and our team is on a tight budget. According to what I could find on the USFS website, she is category A because we go to competitions, and would need credits in

1. Ethics
2. Sport Safety
3. U.S. Figure Skating Rules
4. IJS Rules

We just found out about the cer requirements. I think she'll have to do it online because it has to be done by the end of June. What are the low cost online options? Many thanks!

[Isk8NYC]

Online is the only option at this time. The USFSA and PSA thought they'd be able to offer the exams during the various existing workshops, but it hasn't worked out as yet. Perhaps there will be something at the PSA conference later this month, but I haven't heard anything.

The courses and exams are all handled through the PSA website and their online educational service provider. I've searched, but I haven't seen any discount codes or anything.

The Ethics course was very straightforward (see my notes above)
My goal is to take my second course/exam very soon, probably the Sports Safety/Science based on others' posts.

[Kim to the Max]

I took the category B tests (Ethics, USFS rules, and sport/safety) and found that the only really tricky one was the USFS rules one. You definitely need to have the rule book and bylaws, etc. open to look up specific rules. One that got me each time (I had to take that test twice) was about romantic relationships and I said they were never acceptable, even after the coaching relationship was terminated, but the answer was actually 2 years....tricky, tricky!

In total, category B cost me $40.

--Kim

[Clarice]

One that got me each time (I had to take that test twice) was about romantic relationships and I said they were never acceptable, even after the coaching relationship was terminated, but the answer was actually 2 years....tricky, tricky!
--Kim

Hey, Kim - would you refer me to that specific rule, please? I'm looking through the rule book and can't find it. Thanks!

[Isk8NYC]

There is a romantic relationship question on the ETHICS exam.
I haven't taken the USFSA rules exam yet, but I remember that question on the Ethics.

For the Ethics exam, the answer is not in the USFSA rulebook; it's from the USOC rulebook.
The question says it clearly, but I don't recall seeing it in the resources of the course, so that threw me off a bit.

For the romantic relationships question:
USOC Ethics Guidelines:
http://usacoaching.org/resources/Coa...20Code_new.pdf


Bonus:

The PSA process for filing a "complaint" is called...

PSA GRIEVANCE Procedure:
http://www.skatepsa.com/PDF%20Docume...0Procedure.pdf

[Kim to the Max]

My bad! Sorry!! I ended up taking all of those tests in 1 weekend to get them done so they are all meshing together :)

[Isk8NYC]

My bad! Sorry!! I ended up taking all of those tests in 1 weekend to get them done so they are all meshing together :)No biggie - I just assumed it was also on the USFSA rules exam. I'm going to work on the Sports one today.

[Kim to the Max]

I may have been on the rules one too...I wish you could go back and look at the exams again. I know why they don't do that, but it would be helpful.

[Isk8NYC]

Arrrggghhh...

I went to register for the Sports Science class. It comes up on the "Shopping Cart" with two line items:

Quantity City/State Item ID Item Start Date End Date Time Price
1 CER SS-101 SS 101 - Sport Safety/Science 101 - $25.00
1 STUDENT SUBSCRIPTION - $15.00
Subtotal $40.00


IMPORTANT TIP: Make sure you LOGIN before registering for each and every course. Your username is your EMAIL ADDRESS. If you don't log in before registering, the system will attempt to charge you for the "Student Subscription" every time you register for a class. The $15 subscription is only required once per year.

Of course, now I've changed my mind and started the USFSA Rules course instead.

ETA: Passed. 2 down, 1 to go. (Note: The relationships question wasn't on the Rules course, afaik.)

[Isk8NYC]

A few notes on the USFSA Rules course/exam:

There are two dead links in the course materials:

Bylaws/Grievance: http://www.usfigureskating.org/MemberServices.asp?id=299 (http://www.usfigureskating.org/MemberServices.asp?id=299)
ð Correct Link: http://www.usfigureskating.org/About.asp?id=299 (http://www.usfigureskating.org/About.asp?id=299)

Judges sheets: http://www.usfigureskating.org/membernews.asp?id=248&sid=20822 (http://www.usfigureskating.org/membernews.asp?id=248&sid=20822)
ð Correct link: http://www.usfsa.org/Shell.asp?sid=20822 (http://www.usfsa.org/Shell.asp?sid=20822)



There's one question about the Board of Directors Athlete Member representative that was a lot of reading for me. One thing I noted is that, while AN skaters are mentioned as candidates in the rulebook, they were left out of the list of answers. Harrumph!

A question about the registration deadline for Synchro Sectionals was confusing because I didn't find a reference in the rulebook (Rules of Sport) that actually said "Sectionals." I took a best guess and had the right answer.

I'm sure the answer to the posting/effective dates for tech notifications is *somewhere* in the rulebook, but I found it on the website more easily.
http://www.usfigureskating.org/New_Judging.asp?id=354 (http://www.usfigureskating.org/New_Judging.asp?id=354)

There's a performance / sanction question that can be answered by elimination if you check out http://www.usfigureskating.org/Content/Bylaws%20and%20Committee%20Rules.pdf (SR 2.03)

I scored a 95% (19/20) because I'm a dope who clicked the wrong button on one question. I almost wish you could answer everything without the question-by-question feedback because I might have caught my error if I reviewed before submitting. (Just grade-grubbing, lol.)

I just have the Sports Science piece left - maybe I'll tackle it tomorrow. I decided to skip it today because I didn't have my PSA materials handy.

ETA: Done with Sports Science - very common sense, really focused on coaches' training plans and responsibilities rather than first aid and physiology.

I'm CERtified now, Category B.

[Isk8NYC]

Just received this message from my PSA Area Rep regarding the PSA Annual Conference (May 27-29, 2010, Colorado Springs, CO)

The [PSA Annual] Conference schedule is posted on the PSA website.

This year, 3 CER courses are being offered on Friday, May 28th.



CER Ethics 101
CER Sport Safety 101
CER Rules 101
On Saturday, May 29th, there are several opportunities for Coaches to take the written exam to receive credit for these courses.

I hope that all Coaches who will be in Colorado Springs and have not completed their CER requirements will take advantage of these courses.

To view and/or print this schedule, go to:
http://skatepsa.com/PDF%20Documents/10%20COS%20Conference%20Schedule%20-%20Full.pdf



I was just looking at the PSA CER Requirements page and there's a paragraph that says any non-compliant coaches who miss the deadline will be allowed to complete the requirements in order to coach at sanctioned events. However, there will be a $15 compliance fee in addition to the cost of registration and courses.

[phoenix]

Just bumping this for those of us who are last-minute-mary's & just finished the courses!

I agree w/ other's assessments, purely common sense stuff execpt for the actual Rules test.

The way I'd sum the whole experience up is: there's a difference between being "certified" and being "qualified", and PSA only cares about "certified". They definitely don't have a clue of how to do an online course that is atually beneficial & educational. Simply a way to make us fork over more $$.

I truly don't see why they can't just make a general 'continuing ed' requirement that could be fulfilled by attending seminars/conference, etc. Much more value in going to those things.

[Isk8NYC]

The USFSA/PSA has granted an extension to Oct 2010 for those who haven't completed the CER requirements. After that, there's a penalty fee on top of the registration/course fees.

I think that the content of the CER courses was really not useful; most of it I knew already or it was common sense. The Sports Safety and Science course didn't touch on the need for helmets or properly-fitted skates. I was surprised there was nothing about "What to do if a student is injured." I guess they figure each rink has policies in place, but that's not true. My NY rink did, my NJ and NC rinks do not. We do have plenty of first aid support here in the form of lifeguards, lol.

Someone on a coaches' board felt that the CER requirement was demanded by the insurance companies, but I don't think that's the case. Questions like "What is the deadline to register teams for Synchro Sectionals?" do nothing to lessen liability.

I wish the PSA courses TAUGHT elements, with video demonstrations as seen on www.icoachskating.com (http://www.icoachskating.com/)