TITLE

Alternative Licensure

HISTORY

New State Board of Education regulation effective July 1, 2000, supercedes earlier one filed July 14, 1986. Governs alternative licensure programs for persons who have earned at least a baccalaureate degree but have not completed educator preparation programs and seek alternative routes to licensure in early childhood education, elementary education, middle level education, K-12 education, secondary education, or special education.

MOTIVATION

Expand the pool of qualified teachers.

GRADE LEVELS AND/OR SUBJECT AREAS COVERED

All

WHO OPERATES

State Department of Education.

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER PROGRAM

An applicant for alternative licensure must

• Possess a bachelor of arts or science degree from a regionally accredited college or university including completion of a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate or undergraduate credit in a particular field that appertains and corresponds to the subject area of instruction and level of instruction that will enable the applicant to teach in a competent manner as determined by the State Board.

  OR

• Possess a master of arts or science from regionally accredited college or university including completion a minimum of 12 graduate hours in a particular field that appertains and corresponds to the subject area of instruction and level of instruction that will enable the applicant to teach in a competent manner as determined by the State Board.

  OR

• Possess a doctor of philosophy or doctor of education degree from a regionally accredited college or university. The degree shall appertain and correspond to the subject area of instruction and level of instruction that will enable the applicant to teach in a competent manner as determined by the State Board.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Complete a minimum of 12 semester hours of credit earned through a regionally accredited college or university.

• The credits must include the State Board's competencies for entry level teachers that correspond to the license being sought
• Credits must be in a program approved by the State Board
• Program must include student teaching or field-based component.

OR

The applicant for alternative licensure must successfully demonstrate approved competencies for entry level teachers that correspond to the license being sought. An applicant shall, prior to assuming teaching duties, demonstrate the necessary teaching competencies by submitting to a portfolio assessment through a process approved by the State Board of Education.

All applicants for alternative licensure must pass all of the New Mexico Teacher Assessments.

Completion of the program will lead to a Level 1, 3-year alternative license.

In order to receive a standard license, all holders of alternative licenses must then complete additional requirements, including a one to three year mentorship program approved by the State Board and verification from the local school district where the applicant has most recently been employed that the applicant has satisfactorily demonstrated the State Board's competencies for level of license and type sought.

NO. OF CREDIT HOURS TO COMPLETE

12-18 semester hours of Secondary Education; 12-18 semester hours of Elementary Education and Special Education.

WHO EVALUATES

State Board of Education.

LENGTH OF TIME

One to three years.