TEXAS VETERANS COMMISSION
ALTERNATIVE TEACHER CERTIFICATION
TEXAS VETERANS COMMISSION VETERANS EDUCATION P.O. Box 12277 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711-2277 (512) 463-3168 or 877-898-3833 Toll Free SAA-ATC 10/01/06
DIRECTIONS FOR EDUCATION SERVICE CENTERS, PRIVATE ALTERNATIVE TEACHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM INSTITUTIONS AND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN PREPARING CATALOGS FOR APPROVAL OF ALTERNATIVE TEACHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR VETERANS TRAINING UNDER SECTION 3675, TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE An Education Service Center, private alternative teacher certification program (ATCP), or independent school district (ISD) desiring approval of a program(s) must prepare and submit the following information: 1. Application Form (Exhibit 1)
2. True and Correct Statement (Exhibit 2). 2a. Copies of the alternative teacher certification program plan which has been approved by the Commissioner of Education and the State Board for Educator Certification. The plan should include a complete description of each program to be considered for approval. Additionally, the following items are also required: • Description of the Progress Policy - The progress policy should explain the grading system used by the institution, whether it be letter, numerical, satisfactory/unsatisfactory. Define the minimum grades to be maintained by a student to make satisfactory progress and the grading period. Describe the conditions of a probationary period used by the institution, if any, and the conditions for interruption for students not making satisfactory progress. Describe the conditions for reentry, if any, for those students interrupted for unsatisfactory progress. Describe the progress records that are used and maintained to evaluate the student’s progress. State what type of progress records and the frequency these records are furnished the student and/or sponsor. (If this information is not included in the approved plan, please provide a statement which will be submitted as an addendum to your plan). Student Conduct Policy - The student conduct policy should state the rules and regulations governing conduct. Describe the conditions for dismissal of students for unsatisfactory conduct. Identify the conditions, if any, for reentry after a student has been dismissed for unsatisfactory conduct. (If this information is not included in the approved plan, please provide a statement which will be submitted as an addendum to your plan). Previous Education and Training - The previous education and training policy should explain that the institution will maintain a written record of previous education and training which clearly indicates that the appropriate credit has been given by the institution for previous education and training, if applicable. If the training period is shortened proportionately, the student and the Department of Veterans Affairs will be notified. (If this information is not included in the approved plan, please provide a statement which will be submitted as an addendum to your plan).
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3. Off-Campus Locations (Exhibit 3) - include all ISDs which you anticipate as having a veteran employed under the program. 4. Practical Training List (Exhibit 4) 5. Affiliation Agreement (Exhibit 5) 6. Copy of the Recommendation for Alternative Certification Certificate from State Board for Educator Certification 7. VA Form 22-8794, Designation of Certifying Official(s) 8. Power of Attorney, Request for Waiver-85/15%, Advanced Payment Certification Forms NOTE: Submit three (3) copies of each item. SAA-ATC 10/01/06
Exhibit 1 TEXAS VETERANS COMMISSION VETERANS EDUCATION P.O. BOX 12277 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711-2277 APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL UNDER SECTION 3675, TITLE 38, U.S. CODE Education Service Center/ATCP/ISD Name ________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address (if different from above) ___________________________________________________________ Current Director ______________________________________________________________________________ Name of VA Certifying Official _____________________________________ Phone ( Fax ( Name of Person Preparing This Package ______________________________ Phone ( Fax ( IMPORTANT INFORMATION 1. The institution will make available the records and necessary data required for approval under Section 3675, Title 38, U. S. Code, for inspection by authorized representatives of the State Approving Agency and Department of Veterans Affairs. [Code of Federal Regulations CFR 21.4209(a)(1)] 2. The institution will retain records for at least three (3) years for all students who graduated, dropped out, or transferred. [CFR 21.4209(f)] 3. It is understood and agreed that charges for services and articles, if applicable, for veterans and other eligible persons are not in excess of charges made for other regular students pursuing the same or similar certificate program. [CFR 21.4202(a)] 4. It is understood that adequate records must be kept to show attendance and progress of each veteran or eligible person. The records must be updated at least monthly. The records must be sufficient to show continued pursuit at the rate for which enrolled and the progress being made. They must include a final grade in each subject for each term, quarter, or semester, and record of withdrawal from any subject to include the last date of attendance. 5. For each veteran or eligible person, the institution will maintain a written record of previous education and training which clearly indicates that the appropriate credit has been given by the institution for previous education and training, with the training period shortened proportionately, and the person and the Department of Veterans Affairs so notified. 6. The institution will not accept the enrollment or re-enrollment of a student under Chapters 30 or 32, Title 38 U.S.C. and Chapter 1606, Title 10 U.S.C. when more than eighty-five (85%) percent of the students enrolled in the course(s) are having all or any part of their tuition, fees, or other charges paid to or for them by the institution or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The 85/15 ratio applies to each course individually.[CFR 21.4201(a)] I have read and understand the above information, certify that the institution qualifies for approval consideration, and provide a catalog/plan based on these requirements under the provisions of Section 3675, Title 38, United States Code. ______________________________________ Signature of Authorized School Official __________________________ Date ) _________________ ) _________________ ) _________________ ) _________________
Please return approval materials and this application to: Connie Jacksits, Program Director Veterans Education P.O. Box 12277 Austin, Texas 78711-2277
SAA-ATC 10/01/06
Exhibit 2 TRUE AND CORRECT STATEMENT (Sample) Date Connie Jacksits, Program Director Veterans Education Texas Veterans Commission P.O. Box 12277 Austin, Texas 78711-2277 Dear Ms. Jacksits: I certify that the following materials being submitted to support our request for approval to train veterans and other eligible persons at (NAME OF INSTITUTION/ESC/ATCP/ISD are true and correct in content and policy as required by 38 Code of Federal Regulations 21.4253(d) : . . Alternative Teacher Certification Plan Addendum/Addenda to the Plan (if applicable)*
For Private Institutions only I certify that (name of institution) has been operating and training students for at least two years as an authorized alternative teacher certification program.
Sincerely,
John P. Jones Authorized Official
* ITEMS WHICH ARE NORMALLY CONSIDERED AS ADDENDA, INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: . program outlines (or changes to outlines) . course descriptions/changes to course descriptions . academic calendar for the school year . grading system . progress policies . conduct policy . program requirements . statement on progress records (transcripts) kept by the school . statement on progress records (grade reports) furnished to students
SAA-ATC 10/01/06
Exhibit 3 OFF-CAMPUS LOCATIONS (Complete Street Address, City, State, Zip Code) _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Education Service Center/ATCP/ISD Use additional sheets if necessary (1) LIST SITES (INCLUDING MAIN) THAT MAINTAIN ALL RECORDS AND HAVE ADMINISTRATIVE CAPABILITY
(2)
LIST ALL OTHER SITES THAT PROVIDE INSTRUCTION (List school district offices only--not individual schools)
SAA-ATC 10/01/06
Exhibit 4
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING COURSES (for Teacher Certification Courses) REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING COURSES UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF 38 CFR 21.4265(e) Name of School Address of School Accrediting Body _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Commissioner of Education and State Board for Educator Certification
The professional training courses (conducted off campus) include student teaching, internship, practicum, etc. and are part of the approved teacher education curricula leading to certification:
_________________________________________________________ Signature and Title of School Official
______________________ Date
SAA-ATC 10/01/06
Exhibit 5 SAMPLE
Affiliation Agreement between _______________________ and Region _______ Education Service Center.
This memorandum is an agreement between ___________,
(Name of College/University)
,
Texas and Region _____ Education Service Center, __________________, Texas.
The following courses will be applied towards the course work portion of the Alternative Teacher Certification Program offered through the Region _____ Education Service Center: Course Number and Name Course Number and Name
__________________________________ College/University Official
_________________________________ Official from Service Center, Alternative Teacher Certification Institution, Independent School District (as applicable)
SAA-ATC 10/01/06
POWER OF ATTORNEY CERTIFICATION
I certify that this institution does not have a power of attorney to negotiate Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational benefit checks nor does this institution use coercive procedures or practices to limit a veteran or other eligible person’s disposition of the proceeds of a VA check. Checks are not stamped “For Deposit Only” to the school’s account for endorsement by the student. This institution does not have a joint bank account with any VA student.
The institution DOES plan on receiving VA students’ monthly education benefit checks at the school’s address.
The institution DOES NOT plan on receiving VA students’ monthly education benefit checks at the school’s address.
Signature of School Official
Date
Title of School Official
Name of School
Address of School
City State Zip
REQUEST FOR WAIVER – 85/15 PERCENT
This is to certify that our current enrollment of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) students receiving VA educational benefits is 35 percent or less of the total school enrollment. We do hereby request a waiver of the 85/15 percent reporting requirement. We do understand that the above waiver would not apply to any course/program in which the percentage of VA students exceeds 85 percent.
Signature of School Official
Date
Title of School Official
Name of School
Address of School
City State Zip
ADVANCE PAYMENT CERTIFICATION
Our institution DOES NOT wish to participate in the VA’s advance payment program.
Our institution AGREES to participate in the VA’s advance payment program, and we make the following certification: I certify that advance payment checks will be maintained in a secure place, be given to the VA student upon registration, but not earlier than 30 days prior to the first day of classes, and that we will furnish verification of enrollment as prescribed by VA directives.
Signature of School Official
Date
Title of School Official
Facility Code
Name of School
Address of School
City State Zip