TITLE

Alternative Teacher Certification

HISTORY

First implemented in 1985 with single program in the Houston school district. The state currently has 52 programs, including 16 new programs in community colleges and 5 programs conducted by private entities.

MOTIVATION

Originally to alleviate shortages, but state legislation passed in 1989 eliminated that requirement.

GRADE LEVELS AND/OR SUBJECT AREA(S) COVERED

The alternative preparation programs are approved to offer teacher preparation in all grade levels and content areas offered by the State of Texas. In addition, alternative preparation programs are currently available for administrators to include principal, superintendent, and educational diagnostician.

WHO OPERATES

Typically, each program involves a combination of three entities ---LEA, IHE, and regional education service center. Development of each certification area includes practitioners from the field. Recently, community colleges and private entities have created programs in partnership with LEAs.

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER PROGRAM

The individual must

Hold a bachelor's degree.

Demonstrate acceptable college level skills in reading, oral and written communication, critical thinking, and mathematics as determined by the program.

Complete screening activities to determine appropriateness for the certification sought.

If seeking a Bilingual Education/English as a second language (ESL) certificate, must give evidence of oral and written language proficiency before being assigned to a bilingual education classroom.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

All programs are jointly created through a collaborative process involving the local school districts, colleges, and education service center. Participants from these entities develop the curricula, based on the State's standards, that is necessary to prepare teachers for the target certificate. The curricula cover the same State standards that would be included in traditional undergraduate programs, as well as any unique local needs. Instruction is delivered by the partners most suited to the task, either in coursework or in contact hours, and includes a one-year internship.

During the one-year internship, the intern holds a one-year probationary certificate and receives close support and assistance on a regular basis from a certified mentor teacher who is teaching either in the same or in a related subject area.

Since the intern is on a probationary certificate, he or she receives the full financial benefits of a classroom teacher (i.e., salary and benefits)

Provisions are made for the intern to observe the teaching of the mentor teacher, and for the mentor teacher to observe the intern.

The intern must complete any training in teaching methods and classroom management prescribed by the state, either during the pre-assignment training or during the internship year.

The internship leads to a full teaching certificate, identical to that received by a graduate of a traditional undergraduate teacher preparation program.

NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS TO COMPLETE

Individual certificate programs require varying amounts of additional coursework to meet unique competency requirements of each certificate.

WHO EVALUATES

The school principal, ACP program supervisor or ACP director.

LENGTH OF TIME

Probationary certificate is valid for one year. It may be renewed for one additional year.