Teacher certification program is offered

The Region 12 Teacher Preparation and Certification Program is accepting applications for its April cycle. Classes will run April to June, and a paid teaching internship can begin as soon as August 2008.

The alternative certification program provides an opportunity to individuals with a bachelor's degree to obtain a Texas teaching certificate, even if they do not have a degree in education. In addition, individuals who have a degree in education but do not have a teaching certification in Texas may obtain a valid Texas certification through the program, which is offered in Nolanville and Waco.

Classes begin April 22 in both locations. Participants will attend two evening classes during the week and a full day of class on Saturdays.

After receiving several months of instruction, participants will intern with local school districts for the following school year.

The program offers certification training in elementary education (early childhood through fourth grade), intermediate education (grades four through eight), generic special education, secondary composite science, secondary composite social studies, secondary content areas, elementary and intermediate bilingual education, and English as a Second Language education.

A $40 non-refundable application fee is required to establish eligibility for entering the program. Qualifications for each specialization area vary, but all participants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a grade-point average of 2.5 or above cumulative, or in the last 60 semester hours of college coursework and a 2.5 GPA in the coursework required for the targeted area of certification.

Further, a minimum score of 230 in math, 250 in reading and 220 in the writing sections of the Texas Higher Education Assessment is also required. Applicants may submit a minimum score of 350 quantitative and 350 verbal on the Graduate Record Exam in lieu of THEA scores.

Applications for teacher certification may be submitted at the Nolanville or Waco office.

After applications are submitted, participants must pass a scored interview and writing sample, and be recommended by a screening committee. Upon completion of pre-assignment training and a commitment to ongoing training during the school year, TPCP participants will be eligible to begin teaching as the teacher of record August 2008. During the internship year, participants are paid a starting teacher's salary by the local school district they are serving.

For more information or directions to ESC Region 12 offices, phone (254) 297-1911 in Waco, or (254) 698-2243 in Nolanville, or visit www.esc12.net/teacherprep.