Alternative Certification

1. Alternative Certification Nate Fristad, Rebecca Haustein, Alex Kabak, Lindsay Kornau, Misty McCaw, Andrew Wingate

2. Alternative routes to teacher certification are state-defined routes through which an individual who already has at least a bachelor’s degree can obtain certification to teach without necessarily having to go back to college and complete a college, campus-based teacher education program. • Based on data submitted by the states to the National Center for Education Information (NCEI), we estimate that 59,000 individuals were issued certificates to teach through alternative routes in 2008-09. • Nationally, approximately one-third of new teachers being hired are coming through alternative routes to teacher certification. • Since the mid-1980s, approximately 500,000 teachers have entered the profession through alternative routes. History of Alternative Certification

3. Beginning with the 1991 edition of this annual publication, ALTERNATIVE TEACHER CERTIFICATION: A State-by-State Analysis, NCEI began classifying and providing a detailed description of each alternate route to teacher certification in each state. • Inner cities throughout the country – where the demand for teachers is greatest – are relying more and more on alternate routes to get the teachers they need. • In 2010, 48 states and the District of Columbia report they have at least some type of alternate route to teacher certification, with only Alaska and Oregon now saying their states do not have alternative routes to teacher certification.

5. Candidates in an alternative certification program can earn teaching license while working as a full-time, paid teacher in an Illinois classroom if they: • complete one semester of coursework prior to entering the classroom • pass the Illinois Test of Basic Skills • pass the content knowledge test relevant to their area of certification, and • complete a practice teaching assignment • Candidates who meet these requirements earn a provisional teaching license and are deemed highly qualified under Illinois law. • Qualified candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution Alternative Teacher Certification

6. In general, alternative certification programs may prepare teachers in any area. It is possible to complete an alternative certification program in other areas such as elementary education but they are not shortage areas. • Meet the need for these shortage areas: • Special Education • Bilingual Education • High School Math • High School Science • Foreign Language

7. 3 Phases • Course of study in education theory, practice teaching, and instructional methods • Full time teaching position for one year along with a cooperating teacher • Comprehensive assessment by instructors of the college or university, plus a recommendation to the State board of Education • Provisional Teaching Certificate issued if: • Graduated from accredited college or university with a Bachelors Degree • Employed for at least 5 years in the area that the individual wants to teach Alternative Route to Teacher Certification

8. Completed the first phase of the three phases mentioned previously • Passed Basic Skills and content test • Valid 1 year and NOT renewable • Initial Teaching Certificate issued if: • Completed requirements for Provisional Teaching Certificate • Working on the second and third phases mentioned previously while applying for Initial Teaching Certificate

9. Development • Accredited institution that offers Master’s in Education program in partnership with school districts to prepare resident teachers • 3 summers and 2 academic years • Admission • Bachelor’s Degree AND 3.0 GPA • 5 years work experience or complete 1 year internship teacher prep program with a school district • Basic Skills Test • Program assessment is determined by institution Resident Teacher Certification Program

10. Initial Instruction • 6 week summer intensive teacher prep course • Content-area test • Program assessment • Resident Teacher Certificate • Internship • 4 years • Salary and benefits • Teacher prep coursework leading to a Master’s degree in education • Certified teacher serves as mentor • Mentor, district admin, and the institution assess candidate

11. Program completion • Assessment of Professional Teaching is recommended • Candidate is again assessed by institution and school district • Initial teaching certificate • With a resident teacher certificate, a teacher can serve in a public school for 4 years. After these 4 years and completion of the master’s degree program, the teacher may be issued a Standard certificate.

12. The three phases that must be done to get an administrative certification • (a) a course of study offered on an intensive basis in education management, governance, organization, and planning; • (b) the person's assignment to a full-time position for one school year as an administrator; and • (c) a comprehensive assessment of the person's performance by school officials and a recommendation to the State Board of Education that the person be issued a standard administrative certificate • Successful completion of the Alternative Route to Administrative Certification program shall be deemed to satisfy any other supervisory, administrative, or management experience requirements established by law. Alternative Route to Administrative Certification

13. Steps to getting an provisional administrative alternative certification good for one year that is not renewable: • (1) have graduated from an accredited college or university with a master's degree in a management field or with a bachelor's degree and the life experience equivalent of a master's degree in a management field as determined by the State Board of Education; • (2) have been employed for a period of at least 5 years in a management level position; • (3) have successfully completed the first phase of the Alternative Route to Administrative Certification program as provided in this Section; and • (4) have passed any examination required by the State Board of Education.

14. Course of Study • Traditional: Must meet Illinois Standards for All Teachers, applicable Content-Area Standards, and coursework regarding psychology/methods of teaching students who are/aren’t learning disabled. • Alternative: Meet same standards as above • Major • Traditional: 32 hours in your area of specialization. • Alternative: Must have a bachelors degree in area aligned with certification • Field Experience • Traditional: Pre-student teaching field experience (Diversity and observation hours) • Alternative: A practicum (student teaching). Comparison of Traditional and Alternative Certification Programs

15. Student Teaching/ Internship • Traditional: Temporary student teaching at the grade level aligned with the major (unpaid). • Alternative: Year-long internship (paid). • Both require Basic Skills Test, Content Exam, assessment of their professional teaching, and Program completion. Program completed for both routes by the institution. • Time • Traditional: 4-4.5 years • Alternative: 1.5-2.5 years • Certification • Traditional: Initial Certificate • Alternative: Initial Certificate or Initial Alternative Certificate

16. Do you know anyone who has taken an alternative route? If so, which one? • How many states have alternative routes to certification? • What are some shortage areas? • How does Resident Teacher Certification differ from the others? • In the alternative route, which certification is needed before you can get an initial teaching certificate?