TITLE

District of Columbia Alternative Certification Program: Teach for America

HISTORY

Implemented September 1992.

MOTIVATION

This national program was designed to attract talented college student graduates who have a strong desire to teach in urban/rural school districts.

GRADE LEVELS AND/OR SUBJECT AREA(S) COVERED

Bilingual Education; Elementary Education; Special Education; Early Childhood Education; English-as-a-Second Language, Mathematics, Science, and Foreign Language.

WHO OPERATES

Teach for America.

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER

Possess at least a BA degree from an accredited institution.
Through regional Teach for America Office.
Submit a completed application.
An interview by select school administrators.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This program was designed to increase the pool of eligible teacher applicants and to meet critical shortages in the areas of Bilingual Education, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education; English-as-a-Second Language, and Special Education; Mathematics and Science.

The program consists of three basic components: professional education, field experience, and a support structure.

The field experience will be satisfied by one successful year of teaching in lieu of student teaching.

NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS TO COMPLETE

24-32 semester credit hours.

WHO EVALUATES

Teacher Education and Certification Branch; local school administrators.

LENGTH OF TIME

One year.