[ISTATALK-L] FW: [ISTATALK-L] Alternative Certification

[POLLOCK GWEN <GPOLLOCK@xxxxxxxx>]

Recently, the following note was posted on the list serve--- my
colleague Marti Woefle who has been assigned alt cert issues offered the
response below:
-----Original Message-----
From:   ISTA Members Discussion List
[mailto:ISTATALK-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Stacy Snoble
Sent:   Friday, August 13, 2004 2:25 PM
To:     ISTATALK-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject:        [ISTATALK-L] Alternative Certification


A former student of mine is considering obtaining certification to teach
chemistry and/or biology on the secondary level through an alternative
program offered at EIU.  I believe the program consists of passing
subject matter tests followed by 7 weeks of courses on campus then an
internship and evaluation.  She is interested in whether individuals
completing this program feel well prepared and how school districts feel
about hiring individuals who've obtained certification in this manner.
She graduated with a BS in some area of science and has been working in
a lab setting for the past 4 years.  I would appreciated any feedback.
You may reply to ssnoble@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Thanks! Stacy Snoble
Gwen Pollock, Science
Illinois State Board of Education
100 North First Street, C-215
Phone:  217/557-7323
Fax:  217/782-7937
gpollock@xxxxxxxx


-----Original Message-----
From: WOELFLE MARTI
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 9:16 AM
To: POLLOCK GWEN
Subject: RE: [ISTATALK-L] Alternative Certification


To my knowledge, a statewide evaluation has not been conducted by this
agency of school administrators' decisions on hiring or their
experiences with teachers who have completed an Illinois alternative
program versus a traditional program.

This is a decision that can be best answered by the EIU program
administrators and the district administrators involved with the EIU
program.

The alternative certification programs are designed to assist
professionals who have at least five years of experience in a content
field related to the certification area.  A teacher candidate seeking a
science certificate must have at least a bachelor's degree in a science
field and pass both the Illinois Basic Skills Test and the Illinois
Content-Area Test that covers all certification content areas in
science, as well as extensive testing in the science designation area.
The candidate must also complete introductory coursework in education
and methods of teaching in the content field, and a supervised practice
teaching before they can qualify for the provisional alternative
teaching certificate.

This certificate provides the candidate with the opportunity to serve as
an intern for one year in a district. During this time, the candidate
continues to complete additional coursework, work with a mentor, and is
supervised by the university supervisor and school administration
providing the internship.

Illinois has been offering these intensive programs since 1999. Many
districts that have chosen to be involved during the internship
component usually seek out these highly qualified candidates so they can
"grow their own" teachers. Some even provide additional incentives to
stay in the district upon achieving full certification. Individuals
completing the EIU program receive an "Initial Certificate" to teach in
Illinois.  Unless, the institution notes on the certificate that the
program was an "alternative" program, the certificate is the same as
those issued to individuals completing a "traditional" program.




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