Teaching--Alternative
Certification
All states require teachers to have some form
of certification before they are hired. In Massachusetts,
as in an increasing number of states, this is
called preliminary or intial license because public school teachers
are regularly required to renew their license.
In Massachusetts and
many other states, graduates who have not
completed a standard program may submit a portfolio
to the Department of Education requesting a preliminary license. Massachusetts Regulations
provide for a Review Panel which
offers an alternative route to licensure for candidates appearing to meet standards through
experience and formal education, but not meeting
all requirements specified in the Regulations. Other
states have similar programs. Also, in
many states there are serious teacher shortages
which compel school districts to hire teachers
who have not completed any of the usual certification
requirements. Such teachers are generally
given something called either "preliminary" or "temporary" certification,
and often they are required to take some courses
to begin a program in teaching while they are
teaching fulltime, and are required to have earned a passing score on the state's test(s) for teacher licensure.
A number of states have programs in place to
enable people with only a BA to obtain teaching
jobs while pursuing their provisional certification
(e.g. California,
New Jersey, New
York, North Carolina; Resident Teacher Program
in Baltimore: 410-545-3574). Candidates
have to meet certain basic standards and agree
to complete the regular certification process
while simultaneously teaching in a classroom. Most
fields in suburban schools do not have a shortage
of eligible candidates for openings. In
most cases urban and rural school systems seek
candidates with only a BA and no provisional
certification.
Many Amherst students have had to launch careers
in education in these ways. Each state
that offers alternative and emergency / temporary / preliminary
certification has different basic requirements
that must be met. Most states test competency
in subject area exams (e.g. Biology, Social Studies,
English, Spanish). In order to find out
specific requirements, it is suggested that students
call or check the web site of the certification
board for the state in which they are interested
in teaching.
The National Center for Alternative Certification is a great place to start researching--it's a one-stop, comprehensive clearinghouse for information about alternative routes to certification in the United States.
Many teacher
immersion programs will also facilitate
new teachers' acquisition of certification
in their particular state.
The Donovan
Urban Teaching Scholars Program at Boston
College provides prospective teachers
with an academically challenging education
specifically responsive to the concerns and
needs of urban students, families, schools,
and communities. Participants in the program
work toward a masters of education (M.Ed) degree
and full certification in one of five areas.
The District
Intern Program is an alternative way to
earn a Professional Clear California teaching
credenitial. The three-year program assigns
interns to various schools in Calfornia districts,
and provides them with mentors and training
for the certification exams.
CalStateTEACH is
a non-traditional program that allows working
teachers to earn their credential without attending
traditional college classes. Instead, the curriculum
is delivered using a self-study format. Participants
use online, print, and CD-ROM materials. If you're
currently teaching in a California K-8 classroom
and need a credential, or if you are seeking
a teaching job and expect to be employed in time
to start the program, check out CalStateTeach.
The Long
Beach Unified School District offers certification
through a two year internship program involving
teacher training, field experience, and supportive
coaching and mentoring, as well as financial
support towards completing the credential.
The Golden
Apple Teacher Education (GATE) Program
is a 12-month alternative route to standard
Illinois teacher certification for college
graduates. This intensive three part program
consists of a summer-long training session,
a year of teaching, and an assessment period.
Upon completion of the program, participants
are eligible to receive a State of Illinois
Teaching Certificate.
The Academy
for Urban School Leadership is a non-profit
organziation that sponsers a tuition-free Master
in Arts of Teaching and Illinois Teaching Certificate
to talented recent college graduates and mid-career
professionals who are committed to pursuing
a teaching career in the Chicago Public Schools.
The Department
of Teacher Preparation and Special Education at
the George Washington University produces teachers
for the D.C. Metropolitan Area. The department
offers scholarships and stipends for arts and
sciences majors who wish to pursue teacher
certification at the graduate level while working
in public schools.
The Baltimore
City Teaching Residency enables college
graduates to train at a comprehensive summer
institute. The program requires participants
to enroll in graduate level courses at a local
university, and pays 75% of the tuition costs
toward certification.
The Mississippi
Teacher Corps is a professional program
for college graduates willing to take on the
challenge of high school instruction for a
two year period or longer. The program offers
free tuition for a MA in Curriculum and Instruction,
a stipend for books, housing for weekend courses,
and continuous field support.
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