TITLE

Secondary Field Centered Teacher Training Program
An Alternate Route to Certification

HISTORY

Adopted by the State Board in February 1990.

MOTIVATION

To provide an alternative for individuals to become certificated secondary teachers in Idaho without following a standard teacher education program.

GRADE LEVELS AND/OR SUBJECT AREAS COVERED

Secondary only.

WHO OPERATES

Participating colleges and universities, the State Department of Education, and the employing local school district.

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER PROGRAM

A. Prior to application, the prospective trainee must

1. Possess a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale;
2. Have completed the degree at least five years previously;
3. Hold academic credits comparable with current major and minor requirements for secondary endorsement(s);
4. Meet all non-academic requirements of the State of Idaho, which includes fingerprinting and a background check.

B. Prior to admission, the applicant must

1. Apply for a Teacher Trainee Certificate from the Office of Teacher Education and Certification;
2. Submit the required documents to the Office of Teacher Education and Certification application, application fee, official transcripts and three letters of recommendation; and fingerprint cards;
3. Present the Teacher Trainee Certificate to potential employers and obtain a written statement from a school district declaring an intent to employ the applicant for the ensuing school year (full-time employment is expected);
5. Submit the statement of intent to employ to the Office of Teacher Education and Certification.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The teacher trainee must attend, participate in and successfully complete an individualized two year teacher trainee program as one of the conditions to receive recommendation for a Standard Secondary Teaching Certificate.

A formal teacher trainee plan will be developed by a consortium composed of the mentor teacher, a representative of the school district, a representative of the Office of Teacher Education and Certification, and a representative of the participating higher education institution with an approved secondary education program. Any deviation from the formal trainee plan must be approved by the consortium. The consortium will be responsible for the program design, supervision and evaluation of the training.

The teacher trainee program shall include

1. Completion of a 9 semester credit hour program of pre-service training from an institution of higher education;
2. Completion of a 30 contact hour pre-service orientation presented by the school district prior to a classroom assignment. This orientation shall include district policies, procedures, curriculum, instructional model, community characteristics, and resources;
3. Completion of an internship of two academic years (four semesters) duration. The trainee shall be enrolled in 3 semester credit hours of internship each semester;
4. Completion of a 6 to 9 semester credit hour program during the second summer from an institution of higher education.

The pre-service and second summer program of 15 to 18 semester credit hours in total shall include philosophical, psychological and methodological foundations of the profession, and reading in the content area. The consortium will determine the content required for the trainee, which may include both pedagogical and subject area course work. When designing the content necessary for the individual teacher trainee to complete the program, the consortium shall consider previous college credit, as documented in the official transcripts. Efforts will be directed to provide observation and clinical experiences during the time prior to being assigned to the classroom.

Each teacher trainee must be assisted by and guided throughout the two year training program by a certified employee of the district who has been designated as a mentor teacher. Principals must ensure that teacher trainees are provided with direct assistance from a mentor teacher and, where needed, other support personnel.

NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS TO COMPLETE

15-18 semester hours.

WHO EVALUATES

Principals are to provide assistance to teacher trainees regarding the purpose, expectations, and procedures involved in the evaluation process and with whatever guidance may be needed. The principal shall formally evaluate the teacher trainee at least once each quarter of the school year.

LENGTH OF TIME

Two years as a teacher under the teacher trainee program.

OTHER

Salary and benefits are established by the local district. All costs related to the college or university credits required will be the responsibility of the trainee. Other costs will be the responsibility of the respective agency involved in each trainee's program.