TITLE

Alternative Teacher Program
http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/wizard_alt1.asp

HISTORY

Began Sept. 1, 1991.

MOTIVATION

Programs are intended to attract talented individuals into public education who are recent liberal arts graduates, non-public school teachers, college professors, successful individuals seeking career changes, and minorities.

GRADE LEVELS AND/OR SUBJECT AREA(S) COVERED

Available in endorsement areas which require completion of undergraduate level programs. Does not include special education, special services or administration/principal endorsements.

WHO OPERATES

School districts, independent schools, boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES), and/or institutions of higher education.

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER

Candidates interested in employment as an alternative teacher must:

Hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

Pass the state's required assessments in the content (endorsement) area.

Demonstrate subject matter knowledge necessary for teaching in an endorsement area through transcript review (30 semester hours), standardized assessment, or portfolio review.

Pass a background check conducted by the Colorado Department of Education, including fingerprinting.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Approved alternative teacher program sites provide a one-year program of teaching, training, and supervision for the alternative teacher. The program includes: 225 clock hours of professional education, based on performance-based standards adopted by the State Board of Education. These performance-based teacher education standards are the same standards used in preparation of teachers in collegiate teacher education programs.

Training may be modified by the support team, based on assessment of the alternative teacher's knowledge, skills, and ability.

Supervision and guidance by members of a support team, including a mentor teacher, principal, and representative of a higher education institution.

After successfully completing an approved alternative teacher program, the candidate is recommended by the approved agency for a Colorado Provisional Teaching License.

NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS TO COMPLETE

225 clock hours of professional education (unless modified).

WHO EVALUATES

Evaluation for eligibility to participate in the program is done by the Colorado Department of Education; evaluation for employment is conducted by a designated agency.

LENGTH OF TIME

One year.