Reprinted from the Texas
A&M University-Commerce website
by Lorraine Pace
Writer-Media Relations
Texas A&M University-Commerce
(Commerce)—For those professionals interested in teacher training, Texas A&M University-Commerce offers alternative teaching certifications that fast tracks qualified candidates to a teaching career.
According to figures from The Texas A&M University System, 227 "teachers of record" have been placed in local education agencies by A&M-Commerce, exceeding expectations.
A&M-Commerce has the highest alternative teaching certification production rate in the A&M System. A&M-Commerce has also exceeded targets in critical teaching areas such as mathematics, science and special education.
"Alternative teaching certification can be completed in a shorter time frame than traditional degree programs, and may also be more affordable," says Donna Tavener, director of the alternative teacher certification program at A&M-Commerce.
One of the benefits of an alternative teaching certification through A&M-Commerce is that it meets many of the requirements towards a master's degree, halving the time needed to obtain a postgraduate qualification in education. Other alternative teaching certification programs may not offer this benefit.
The alternative certification program offers expert mentors and coaches who work with the candidates in the classroom, affording on-the-job, relevant experience.
Alternative teacher certification programs are generally geared towards aspiring teachers who already have a bachelor's degree, but who need additional coursework and classroom experience to complete their teacher certification.
"These programs are a response to teacher shortages in critical subject areas, but are also driven by the changed requirements of The No Child Left Behind Act," says Tavener.
As the teaching workforce "grays" and elementary and secondary enrollments continue to rise, widespread and sustained teacher shortages in some subjects and some school districts may become problematic.
Alternative teaching certifications first began in Texas in the '80s and through the years the state has seen a significant rise in the number of minorities trained as teachers, according to the Education Commission of The States website.
One of these programs is Troops to Teachers, which provides support to military personnel with a bachelor's degree to become teachers. The program is believed to have recruited more male teachers into the classroom than traditional training programs.