TITLE

Alternative Entry Licensure

HISTORY

Adopted November, 1998.

The Alternative Entry policy expires September 1, 2006, except that it remains effective for any teacher employed under this act before September 1, 2002.

MOTIVATION

To provide an alternative method for local boards to hire lateral entry teachers and to employ teachers who are legally certified in other states.

GRADE LEVELS AND/OR SUBJECT AREA(S) COVERED

All teaching areas.

WHO OPERATES

The Local Education Agency (LEA) and the Department of public Instruction Teacher Licensure Section.

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER

A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

Be eligible for re-employment by a prior employer; and

Hold a valid out-of-state certificate with a minimum of one year classroom teaching experience considered relevant by the local board to the grade or subject to be taught.

Or

Have at least one year of full-time classroom teaching experience, considered relevant by the local board to the grade or subject to be taught, as a professor, associate professor, assistant professor, instructor, or visiting lecturer at a regionally accredited college or university.

Or

Have three years of other experience provided the local board determines that both the individual's experience and postsecondary education are relevant to the grade or subject to be taught.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Local Education Agencies (LEAs) using the alternative entry policy to employ teachers are required to

• Determine shortage or "anticipated" shortage license areas.
• Develop a plan to determine competence as a teacher including a review of the performance of students taught.
• Report semi-annually to the State Board of Education the number of individuals employed in each category.

NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS TO COMPLETE

No applicable.

WHO EVALUATES

During the period of employment with an alternative entry license, the individual receives an annual evaluation and multiple observations as prescribed by GS 115C-333(a).

The individual's competence as a teacher, including review of the performance of students taught by the individual, is assessed according to the plan developed by the local board.

If the individual does not have one year of classroom teaching experience, the local board will provide a mentor teacher..

LENGTH OF TIME

The alternative entry license is a one-year (maximum) provisional license.