TITLE

Alternate Route to Teacher Certification

HISTORY

Created in 1986 as part of the Connecticut Education Enhancement Act. The first class (106 candidates) began the program June 20, 1988.

MOTIVATION

The state describes it as "An innovative and exciting program to attract talented individuals from fields outside of education into teaching. . . . The program is intended for professionals from diverse fields such as industry, government, and the military or human services that wish to change careers. Individuals who have substituted, who have taught part-time, or who have experience as teachers in independent schools are also encouraged to apply."

SUBJECT AREAS/GRADE LEVELS COVERED

Middle school grades 4 - 8 to prepare candidates to teach in middle schools in specific subjects. A teacher endorsed in middle grades will only be able to teach in the subjects endorsed on the certificate. Secondary grades 7 - 12 to teach specific subject areas. The subject areas include English, history/social studies, mathematics, and sciences (biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, and general science). Pre-K-12 certification to teach art, music, world languages, bilingual education, family and consumer science, and technology education.

WHO OPERATES

The Connecticut Department of Higher Education conducts two Alternate Route to certification programs. Monitoring during the first two years of teaching is under the auspices of the Connecticut Department of Education.

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER

Minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a major in or closely related to, the intended teaching field. Prospective middle school teachers, secondary school teachers and special area (art and music) teachers must have the subject-area semester hours required for certification. A minimum grade point average of "B" (3.00 on a 4.00 scale) in undergraduate studies or the same average in at least 24 semester hours of graduate study. A passing score on Praxis I (PPST) or a passing score on an approved substitute exam. A passing score on a subject area test, Praxis II or ACTEL. Experience in an educational environment with children of the age group the individual wishes to teach.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Summer Alternate Route to Certification Program is an intensive eight-week summer term of full-time study. A three-week student teaching experience in a summer school setting is included in the eight-week program. The faculty consists of Connecticut public school teachers, teacher-educators from the state's public and private higher education institutions, and professionals from diverse public and non-public agencies. The curriculum is innovative and interdisciplinary, based on the Connecticut Teaching Competencies and utilizing teaching methods of demonstrated effectiveness.

The other Alternate Route to Certification Program is a weekend program which runs from October to May, and includes four weeks of student teaching. This program focuses on shortage areas bilingual education, mathematics, science, world languages, family and consumer science, and technology education.

Employed Alternate Route teachers participate in the Beginning Educators Support and Training (BEST) Program of the State Department of Education. BEST includes a mentoring component and subject specific portfolio assessment.

Additionally, employing school districts must provide Alternate Route teachers with a special plan of supervision that may exceed that provided to other novice teachers.

NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS TO COMPLETE

The Alternate Route is a non-credit program.

WHO EVALUATES

State Department of Higher Education screens for eligibility and admission to the program. Admissions are competitive. Final decisions are made in conjunction with review of certification eligibility by the State Department of Education. Continued state certification of applicants is determined based upon their successful completion of the state's induction program. The Alternate Route to Certification Program (ARC) is evaluated on a five-year cycle, as are all teacher preparation programs in the state. Program approval is granted by the State Board of Education for a specified period of time.

LENGTH OF TIME

ARC I Summer sessions 8 weeks. ARC II Weekends October - May.