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> Quick Facts
Quick Facts
46 states and the District of Columbia reported having some type of alternative routes for certifying elementary and secondary teachers in 2003.
An estimated 200,000 people have been certified to teach through alternative routes since 1985.
25,000 people per year have been certified to teach through alternative routes within the last five years.
States reported a total of 144 alternative teacher certification routes other than the traditional approved teacher education route for certifying teachers in 2003.
In the states:
- California-- Approximately 18% of new hires enter teaching through the state’s alternative routes
- Texas-- 24% of new hires come through the state’s 52 alternative routes
- New Jersey-- 24% of new teachers enter the profession through the state’s alternative route
People choosing alternative routes are:
- Older
- Diverse
- Include more men
- Experienced in occupations other than education
- College graduates with degrees outside education
Alternative certified individuals have higher retention rates. Early data shows that those entering teaching through alternative certification routes have higher retention rates than those entering teaching through traditional college-based programs.
Focus on field experiences: An increased focus on field experience is a key difference of alternative route programs as compared to traditional teacher preparation programs.
According to NCLB criteria, a teacher not fully certified but participating in an alternative route program will be considered highly qualified if they:
- Receive high quality professional development that is intensive, sustained, and classroom focused
- Participate in a program of intensive supervision consisting of focused guidance and regular, on-going support or a teacher mentoring program
- Assumes teaching duties for a specified time not to exceed three years
- Demonstrate satisfactory progress toward full certification
Sources and Links
- Brannan, Linda, and Reichardt, Robert (2001). Alternative Teacher Certification: A Review of Selected Literature. Boulder, CO: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.
http://www.wiche.edu/Policy/TeacherEd/EducationalAccountabilityLitReview.pdf
- Feistritzer, C. Emily (2003). Alternative Teacher Certification: A State-by-State Analysis 2003. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Information.
http://www.ncei.com/
- Reichardt, Robert (2001). Alternative Teacher Education: Trends and Implications in Policies and Practice. Boulder, CO: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.
http://www.wiche.edu/Policy/TeacherEd/EducationalAccountabilityTrendsImplications.pdf
- U.S. Department of Education. (September 12, 2003). Improving Teacher Quality, Non-regulatory Guidance, Revised Draft.
http://www.nsba.org/site/docs/32000/31965.pdf
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