TITLE

Alternative Route --- Exceptional Work Experience Certification Option

HISTORY

Legislation enacted in 1998.

MOTIVATION

To bring into secondary school classrooms individuals who already have exceptional work experience in the field(s) in which they will teach.

GRADE LEVELS AND/OR SUBJECT AREAS COVERED

Secondary level (grades 8-12).

WHO OPERATES

School district with candidate approval by EPSB.

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER PROGRAM

An individual who has been offered employment at the secondary level (grades 8-12) in a local school district shall be issued a one-year Provisional Certificate, if he/she has

Documented 10 years' exceptional work experience in the area for which certification is being sought;

A bachelor's degree, with a GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale; and

Submit an application, jointly with the employing school district, to the state's Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB).

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

"Exceptional experience" is defined as "recognized superiority as compared with others in rank, status, and attainment."

Verification shall include:

• Detailed, multi-page resume documenting exceptional work experience;
• Documentation that the state's New Teacher Standards have been addressed; and
• Professional recommendations.

Upon meeting the requirements, the candidate shall be issued a one-year Provisional Certificate. The Professional Certificate shall be issued upon satisfactory completion of the teacher internship. The candidate shall be placed on the local district salary schedule for the rank corresponding to the degree held.

NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS TO COMPLETE

No additional credit hours. See description of Alternative Certification Program for detailed information on the required internship program

WHO EVALUATES

EPSB evaluates candidate's initial application. Internship committee assesses first-year performance.

LENGTH OF TIME

Candidates complete a one-year internship required of all new Kentucky teachers certified via alternative or traditional routes.