TITLE

Alternative Route to Certification
http://www.state.sd.us/deca/OPA/alternativecert.htm

HISTORY

Has existed as a pilot since 1985. It was formally enacted as a rule by the State Board of Education, effective July 1, 1991.

MOTIVATION

It is intended for a school district which is unable to fill a position with a properly certified teacher.

GRADE LEVELS AND/OR SUBJECT AREA(S) COVERED

Secondary Only.

WHO OPERATES

State.

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER PROGRAM

To be eligible for the alternative certification program, a person must meet the following requirements.

1) Holds a bachelor’s degree or higher, with the bachelor’s degree obtained at least two-years prior to admittance into the alternative certification program;

2) Has maintained an overall grade point average of 2.5 grade point on a 4.0 scale or higher on the undergraduate degree transcript;

3) Holds a college major in the subject area to be taught or has five years experience in a related field, as determined by the department;

4) Has an offer of employment from a South Dakota accredited system that operates a mentoring program approved by the department;

5) Submits to a criminal background investigation pursuant to a SDCL chapter 13-10;

6) Adheres to the Code of Professional Ethics pursuant to chapter 24:08:03. as adopted by the Professional Teachers Practices and Standards Commission and:

7) Completes a screening interview with school personnel and the department's program coordinator prior to being hired by a school system.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Contacting Accreditation & Teacher Quality, Alternative Certification, 700 Governors Drive, Pierre SD 57501-2291, (605) 773-4771, Fax (605) 773-6139, dean.buchanan@state.sd.us

1) Eligibility for the Alternative Certification Program is determined by review of candidates "official transcripts." Forward official transcript, with cover letter, of all non-teaching undergraduate and/or graduate degrees to the address listed above;

2) Upon being accepted for the Alternative Route to Certification program the candidate must seek employment within a state accredited school. Candidate must forward a copy of the "employment contract" to the address listed above;

3) Candidates must forward a copy of their employee's contract. Candidate must complete and return the following three items to the address listed above;

a) Application for Alternative Route to Certification;
b) Applicant Conduct Review Statement; and
c) A $15 certification fee for a one-year non renewable Instructor certificate.

4) Each candidate must participate in a "approved teacher mentoring program" or receives intensive supervision that consists of structured guidance and regular ongoing support; and

5) Complete all coursework, with a minimum grade of "C" necessary to complete the current (July 1, 2003) alternative certification program (Chapter 24:15:04).

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The three (3) year alternative route to certification program shall consist of on-the-job classroom training during (2 semesters), mentorship during the on-the-job training, an orientation program provided by the employer, and six semester hours of education coursework in pedagogy and related fields. Also, Alternative Route to Certification candidates must complete a three (3) semester hour course in both Human Relations and South Dakota Indian Studies. The coursework shall be delivered by an accredited college or university with an approved program or endorsement program in the discipline and coordinated with the department of education and the employing school system.

NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS TO COMPLETE

Pedagogy & Other Educational Coursework

a) Human Relations……………………..3 semester hours

b) South Dakota Indian Studies……..3 semester hours

An additional six (6) credits of pedagogy coursework will be assigned based on a review of candidate’s transcripts and collaboration with the Department of Education/Dean Buchanan and the mentoring team.

State Licensure Exam-(Exams begin in Academic years 2004-05)

The South Dakota state licensure exam, Praxis (www.ets.org/praxis/), must be completed with passing scores in order to be considered for full state certification. Out-of-state licensure exams may substitute for the South Dakota Praxis examination. An "original" document indicating candidate’s Praxis score(s) must be forwarded to the State Department of Education, Alternative Certification/Dean Buchanan, 700 Governor's Drive, Pierre, SD 57501-2291.

WHO EVALUATES

Approved programs for mentorship and school administration will provide assistance to alternative certification instructor regarding purpose, expectations, and procedures involved in the evaluation process and whatever guidance may be needed. A minimum of two evaluations will be completed by administrative staff annually and a copy of each evaluation forwarded to the Accreditation and Teacher Quality/Dean Buchanan by June1 for review and inclusion in the instructors official file.

OTHER

Salary and benefits are established by the local schools. All costs related to the college and university credits required and state licensure exam will be the responsibility of the alternative certification candidates.

STATE CERTIFICATION

Upon successful completion of all aspects of this program, including coursework, licensure examinations (Praxis), and a positive recommendation from the on-the-job mentoring programs within the alternative certification instructor certification, the candidate must file an application for a teaching certificate with the state office of teacher certification.

Issuance of a standard certificate will be based upon review of completed plan by the Accreditation and Teacher Quality and the positive recommendations by Secretary of Education or his/her designee.