Teacher Certification Program

1. Teacher Certification Program Welcome! Alternative Teacher Certification Program Information Session September 1, 2009 Kathy Bliss, Program Coordinator http://www.lonestar.edu/cyfair-atcp

2. Mission and Purpose The LSC-CyFair Alternative Teacher Certification Program prepares students to be certified, professional educators in early childhood through twelfth grade classrooms in Texas. Regulated by the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) and approved on August 1, 2002.

3. History of LSC-CyFair Program • For degreed individuals seeking teacher certification in Texas • Designed to alleviate teacher shortages in high-need areas such as Math, Science, Special Education and Bilingual education. • Learn while you teach in a two semester internship • 500+ teachers certified by the program

4. Academic Requirements • Baccalaureate degree from an accredited University/College in the United States or equivalent • Degrees from outside the United States must be evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://www.naces.org ) • Overall college GPA of 2.5 or special permission • Official transcript from college where degree was awarded, copies of ALL transcripts

5. Academic Requirements • College level scores in Reading, Writing, and Math required for applicants whose degree was awarded more than 5 years ago • COMPASS • 81 Reading, 59 Writing, Essay 5, Algebra 39 Contact the LSC-CyFair Assessment Center for study guides and testing availability 281-290-3220 Contact the LSC-CyFair Tutoring Program for free assistance with test preparation 281-290-3279

6. Academic Requirements All applicants whose first language is not English must also complete the COMPASS ESL Test (free) or the TOEFL In addition to one of the basic skills exams COMPASS

7. Program Requirements • Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities Course (PPR) Requires 30 hours outside the classroom of Field Based Experiences* • Content Area Course (only one) • EC-6 Generalist or • Intro to Special Populations* or • Creating Successful Classrooms • Two semester Internship • Your teaching position • Additional coursework and/or test preparation as needed • * Must be completed before accepting a teaching position

8. Program Tuition and Fees Application fee (non refundable) $ 40 COMPASS $ 29 PPR course $ 756 Content course $ 159 - 585 Textbooks (approximate) $ 200 Mentor Fee $ 500* Internship ($925 per semester) $1,850 *HISD Mentor Fee is $800

9. State Required Fees PPR Exam $ 120 Content Exam $ 120 Test of Oral Proficiency * $ 120 Fingerprinting (SBEC) $ 55 Probationary Certificate Application $ 82 Standard Certificate Application $ 82 Program Total (est)$4,400 - $4,800 *Bilingual, Spanish, and French

10. Teacher Certification Program • Accepting candidates for Spring 2010 (cohort 21) • Fall 2009 deadlines for Spring 2010 program admittance: • Early: 10/1/2009 • Regular: 11/2/2009 • Last chance: 12/4/2009 • Online, Hybrid (flex), weekend and evening courses • Club Organization: • Future Professional Educators

11. Details of Internship • You obtain a teaching position • You are an employee of the district/school • You receive the same salary and benefits as a certified teacher • You assume all roles and responsibilities of a classroom teacher

12. Details of Internship • You have access to a support team which includes: • Intern supervisor – Lone Star College Staff • Mentor – school personnel • ATCP staff • Participate in an online collaborative course • Attend three Seminars during internship

13. Teacher Certification Program Application Process Take COMPASS and COMPASS-ESL tests Bring score reports to the ATCP office Complete Application – available online at http://cyfair.lonestar.edu/cyfair-atcp Distribute reference forms Order transcript(s) Pay the application fee at the payment counter in the Registration area Schedule interview

14. Teacher Certification Program Interview: call 281-290-3957 If accepted, attend a Candidate Orientation (TBD) Receive Letter of Acceptance (LOA), TExES test permission, and Field Experience forms Enroll in PPR and/or content courses

15. Teacher Certification Program Mail references directly to: LSC-Cy-Fair Alternative Teacher Certification Program 9191 Barker Cypress Road MOD 1 # 110 Cypress, Texas 77433 Fax to: 281-290-5932

16. Understanding Pre Admission Content Testing • Register & obtain study material for test at: www.texes.ets.org • PACT is a method that allows you to challenge the TExES if you do not have the necessary course work to qualify. NOTE: Passing PACT does not guarantee acceptance into our program

17. Pre Admission Content Testing

18. Pre Admission Content Testing (PACT) • If lacking course work for desired area of teaching, then PACT is an option • Must take PACT before you can be accepted in to program • Study material is available at: www.texes.ets.org

19. Teacher Certification Program • When can I start teaching? • Receive LOA and pass your content exam • Where can I teach? • Public ISDs in the Houston area • Charter Schools and Accredited by TEA Private Schools • What coursework is required for me to teach a subject? • 39 hours in a combination EC-6 • 12-39 hours coursework for 4-8 depends on subject • 24 - 36 hours coursework for 8-12 depends on subject

20. www.texes.ets.org TExES Testing for Certification • Paper Based Testing (PBT) • Computer Administered Testing (CAT) • Oral Language Proficiency (TOPT) NEW: Pre-Admission Content Testing PACT

21. PBT Test Dates TExES/ExCET 2009-2010 Administration Dates

22. How long do I have in the program? • If you are accepted into our program and do nothing for three years, you must: • Re-apply to our program • Re-create your file if destroyed (transcripts, letters of recommendations, required test) • Complete necessary course work or re-take a course.

23. LSC-CyFair TCP Kathy Bliss, M.Ed., Program Coordinator Contact Information: 281-290 -3957 Our front office staff : Linda Youngblood Sharon Fairchild Website: www.lonestar.edu/cyfair-atcp Email: cyfair-atcp@lonestar.edu