TITLE

Resident Teacher Certificate

HISTORY

This bylaw, which permits school systems to hire liberal arts graduates for teaching assignments, was passed by the State Board of Education on Dec. 20, 1990 and became effective on Apr. 1, 1991.

MOTIVATION

To increase the pool of highly qualified professional educators.

GRADE LEVELS AND/OR SUBJECT AREAS COVERED

Secondary subjects and elementary education.

WHO OPERATES

Local School System

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER

A liberal arts bachelor's degree for the certification area of elementary education or a bachelor's degree in the subject to be taught at the secondary level.

3.0 grade point average in the major to be taught.

Employment.

Qualifying scores on the Praxis I and II tests. The professional education test is postponed until the end of the first year of teaching.

The skill areas of development in the 135 clock hours of study are: human growth and development, principles and theories of teaching and learning, strategies and models of teaching, planning and classroom management, and the Maryland reading requirements.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A school system will have a Resident Teacher Program (RTC) requiring a minimum of 135 hours of study prior to employment.

The program can be offered by a Local School System (LSS) or cooperatively with an IHE, or other approved educational course provider.

The Resident Teacher will be mentored by a certificated teacher.

Upon one additional year of successful teaching and additional hours of study (see below), the local superintendent may recommend that the Resident Teacher be issued the Standard Professional Certificate.

NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS TO COMPLETE

135 clock hours before employment -- 135 additional for elementary for a total of 270 hours for elementary teachers and 45 additional hours for secondary for a total of 180 hours for secondary teachers.

WHO EVALUATES

Local School System (LSS).

LENGTH OF TIME

The Resident Teacher Certificate will be valid for no less than one year and, at the request of the LSS, could be issued for a second year.

OTHER

As of September 2001, four LSS had RTC programs. Two of these systems are just beginning their programs. The other two began in 1999. One system has two programs in operation.