State Board for Educator Certification
New Teacher Certification Program
Item 8. Education Career Alternatives Program—Approve as a New Teacher Certification Program
ACTION Desired Outcome : The Board will approve the Education Career Alternatives Program—A Teacher Preparation Program to offer an educator certification program. Impact of Action: The Education Career Alternatives Program anticipates having 150 teachers in the program during the first year. Summary: • The Education Career Alternatives Program – A Teacher Preparation Program was developed by Ms. Sharon Fikes and Dr. Charwynne Hazlewood at the behest of several school district superintendents from the areas surrounding Fort Worth. Ø The anticipated start date for the program is Spring 2001. Ø The program is a 15-month program. The cost of the program is $3,200 per person. Ø The program incorporates the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), the new standards for Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities, and the current test frameworks for the Examinations for the Certification of Texas Educators (ExCET) for Special Education, Elementary, Elementary Bilingual, English as a Second Language, Secondary Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics/Physical Science, Earth Science, and Composite Science. Ø The Education Career Alternatives Program will prepare teachers for Generic Special Education, Elementary, Elementary Bilingual, English as a Second Language, and Secondary Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics/Physical Science, Earth Science, and Composite Science. • Letters of support from numerous superintendents and principals in the region indicate a strong willingness to work with this program in recruiting and preparing teachers.
Projected Implementation Date : Immediately following Board approval.
November 17, 2000
Item 8.-Page 1
State Board for Educator Certification
New Teacher Certification Program
Item 8. (continued)
Background Information: • Texas Education Code §21.044 and §21.049 authorizes the Board to propose rules establishing training requirements to obtain a certificate and to establish additional educator preparation programs. Texas Administrative Code Chapter 227 Admission to an Educator Preparation Program and Chapter 228 Requirements for Educator Preparation Programs describe the components and/or requirements that all entities must have to be approved as teacher preparation programs. The requested areas of certification require passing either the current Elementary or Secondary Professional Development ExCET and the respective content area ExCET. The Board has approved new standards and certificates for all areas for which the Education Career Alternative Program plans to offer preparation, except for Generic Special Education and English as a Second Language. Staff members from the State Board for Educator Certification and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board have been meeting with universities/colleges, community colleges, education service centers, and school districts to create new preparation and training programs.
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Previous Board Discussion: None. Executive Director’s Recommendation and Rationale : I recommend that the Board approve the creation of the Education Career Alternatives Program – A Teacher Preparation Program to offer training for the Secondary Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics/Physical Science, Earth Science, and Composite Science certificates--grades 6-12; the Elementary and Elementary Bilingual certificates-grades EC-6; and for the All-level Generic Special Education and English as a Second Language certificates for the following reason: • The Education Career Alternatives Program – A Teacher Preparation Program provides an additional preparation and training program to assist the state in better meeting the needs of school districts, particularly in the areas identified as critical shortage areas in Texas.
SBEC Goal Addressed: 3—The Board will promote and approve new preparation programs targeting individuals who hold a baccalaureate degree. Staff Members Responsible: Ron Kettler, Office of Accountability Bill Wale, Office of Accountability Attachments : I. The Education Career Alternatives Program—A Teacher Preparation Program Proposal Summary
November 17, 2000
Item 8.-Page 2