Admissions and Program Requirements
How do
I get started?
Access the PISD
Alternative Teacher Certification Program web site, www.pasadenaisd.org/atcp
and look under Applicants for Application Information. Read
about completing and submitting the application. Then,
(1) fill out the online the application and (2) the program
and application information sheet.
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What
are the entrance prerequisites?
Review the Prerequisites
section at
http://www.pasadenaisd.org/atcp/Applicants/PreRequisites/prerequisites_home.htm
for specific entrance requirements.
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Is
a bachelor's degree required?
Yes -- the state requires
that teachers hold a bachelor's degree (or its foreign
equivalent) from an accredited university.
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What
happens if I don't have the minimum grade point average or
the required coursework?
If you do not meet the
entrance requirements, you are notified in writing, with
details on what you will need to do to meet the minimum
entrance requirements. You must meet the minimum entrance
requirements by the date stated, or else re-activate your
application for the next training cycle. Applicants needing
to re-activate their application may do so by email to atcp@pasadenaisd.org,
or by telephone to 713-740-0029.
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Can I go ahead and
begin the training while I'm taking the required coursework
to meet the entrance requirements?
No -- you must meet all
coursework requirements prior to being admitted into the
program.
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How
does the program work?
Approved candidates
(interns) must complete:
- Classroom observations, typically in the
semester prior to entering the classroom
- Pre-assignment training consisting of
teacher pedagogy
- 3-4 graduate level
university courses (with GPA of 3.0 or better) during the internship year
- On-going district training on selected
evenings and Saturdays
throughout the internship year
- Pass all pertinent state certification exams
- One-year teaching internship with acceptable
appraisal
- Principal recommendation for contract
renewal
Upon completion of these criteria the Pasadena ISD ATCP
will recommend the successful intern for Texas teacher
certification.
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How
long does it take?
The program takes 15
months or less, including pre-assignment training and a
one-year teaching-internship
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How
do I obtain an application?
Access the PISD
Alternative Teacher Certification Program web site,
www.pasadenaisd.org/atcp
and look under Applicants for Application Information.
Read about completing and submitting the application. Then,
fill out the online the application.
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How
much does it cost to apply?
The application fee is $40 which includes the costs of
transcript evaluation. Reactivation of a past application
requires a new $40 application fee.
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What
do I need to include with my completed application for
admission?
Application and related forms, including the three
professional reference forms Current resume Official transcripts from every college attended, or an
official, course-by-course evaluation of your transcripts
from an approved evaluation company if your degree is from
outside of the country. Passing scores in reading,
mathematics, and writing on the
Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA), the
state-approved basic skills test.
(Must be less than 10
years old). (ATCP can access scores
online if the applicants lists PISD as a source to receive
scores) Applicants who do not hold a degree from a U.S.
university or an degree from a English-speaking
institution must submit official scores:
TOEFL
www.ets.org/toefl
Passing scores
Scores determined by the type of test you take
Cost $150.00
Versant
Test location: Region 4 Education Service Center, 145
West Tidwell, Houston, TX 77092
Appointments scheduled with: Charlotte Mayes (713)
744-6359
Test dates: M-F, 8:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $40.00 cashier's check or money order payable to
Region IV
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Can
I submit my application without all of the necessary
documents?
Yes – but your application will not be processed until
it is complete.
Note: Completed applications are processed in the order
in which they are received. Only complete applications are
processed.
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Can
I have my transcripts sent directly to Pasadena ISD?
Yes – send all application correspondence to:
Pasadena ISD
11111 Beamer Rd
Houston, TX 77089
ATTN: ATCP Certification Officer
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My
final transcript shows the classes I took at a previous
college. Do I still have to obtain a transcript from the
first college?
Yes -- you are required to submit official transcripts
from all colleges/universities you have attended.
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What
if my courses were earned in quarter credits?
Multiply the credits times two then divide by three to
convert quarter credits to semester hours.
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What
if my grades were given as pass/fail or credit/no credit?
Multiply the number of hours earned by 2.5 to get the
grade points for that course.
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Can
advanced placement and credit by exam courses be counted
towards the content area?
Yes -- if a university gives course credit and it shows
on a college transcript.
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How
long does it take to review my application?
You will be notified when your application has been
reviewed. It takes approximately 6 weeks to review the application.
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What
happens after my application is reviewed?
You will either be notified that you have met the
academic requirements and will be scheduled for an
interview, or you will be sent a letter declining
acceptance. If
you pass the interview process, you will be eligible to begin
pre-assignment training and begin interviewing for a
teaching position.
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How
long is my application active?
Your application is active for the academic year for
which it was submitted.
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When
are applications due?
Applications for the 2010-2011 academic year are due by
January 29, 2009. Any extensions of the deadline will be
posted on the ATCP website and will be for the district’s
areas of shortage, only.
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What
is the THEA/TASP?
Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) is an exam
designed to ensure that students entering institutions of
higher learning and educator preparation programs have the
academic skills necessary to perform effectively in
college-level work. The THEA includes testing in reading,
mathematics, and writing skills. You must pass all three
sections of the exam prior to pre-assignment training
registration.
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Where
do I go to register for the THEA?
THEA registration bulletins are available at most
colleges and high schools; you may also obtain information
at the THEA web site:
www.thea.nesinc.com
. University Testing Services at the University of Houston
– Central offers Quick THEA Monday through
Thursdays. You may register at
www.las.uh.edu/uts
.
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I
was THEA/TASP-exempt in college; do I still have to take it?
Yes -- all students seeking admission to a state-approved
educator preparation program are required to demonstrate
college-level skills in reading, oral and written
communication, critical thinking, and mathematics. Each
entity delivering educator preparation establishes a policy
for admission into their program. Pasadena ISD policy
requires the THEA/TASP (Must be less than 10 years old) for ATCP candidates, thus college
exemptions do not apply.
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Are
there any exams that would exempt me from the THEA?
We do not allow THEA/TASP exemptions.
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How
do I know if you have received my THEA/TASP scores? Do I need to
send you a copy?
Please send a copy of your scores with your application
or when you receive them. Pasadena ISD ATCP can access your
THEA/TASP scores online provided you request we do so. We will
need the following identifying criteria to be able to access
your scores: last name (when exam was taken), social
security number, and date of birth.
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Do
I have to take the THEA before I submit my application?
Yes—An application is not considered complete until it
contains passing THEA scores.
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Training and Internship
How much training is involved?
Pre-assignment Training (prior to entering the
classroom) includes (1) in-depth district training,
including sessions on classroom management, multicultural
issues, lesson planning, technology, inclusion, and topics
related directly to the specific certification area, and (2)
two graduate level university classes in teaching strategies
taken through the University of St. Thomas. On-going
Training (training during the internship year) includes
(1) additional sessions in classroom management and lesson
design, (2) preparation sessions for the state exams and
topics related directly to the specific certification area,
and (3) two more assignment-specific graduate level
university classes through the University of St. Thomas.
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What
if I've already taken one of the university classes?
If you have taken one of the required university classes
within the past five years, have a 3.0 in the course, and
have an overall gpa of 3.2 or better, you may apply for an
exemption from the class.
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When
do I begin Pre-assignment Training?
Once you are officially accepted into the program, you will
receive information regarding beginning pre-assignment
training.
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Where
is the training held?
Training and university classes are conducted at the
Pasadena Independent School District Administration Building
or other designated PISD campus.
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Is
the training offered in the fall or spring the same as the
summer training?
Training is done in groups called cohorts. All cohorts
are given the same training, but the order and emphasis may
vary according to the needs of the members of the cohort.
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Am
I required to attend all classes?
Attendance is
mandatory for all scheduled training. Unavoidable absences should be communicated in advance. Failure to complete all
parts of training will delay or prevent recommendation for
certification.
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Do
I get paid while I'm in training?
You do not get paid until after you complete the training
and begin your teaching-internship. Your first paycheck will
be on August 15 or the first day you begin work in the fall
(what ever date is the latest).
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I've
been teaching for a while - do I still have to do the
observations and/or the training?
Yes -- your current
or past teaching experience will not exempt you from any of
the observations or training.
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How
long do I have to wait to be employed after the end of
training?
Many interns are hired prior to finishing training. The
bulk of the hiring process takes place in June and July
before school starts, however, openings are filled all year.
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Can
I teach while I'm in training?
Many times, individuals are substituting
in daily or long-term assignments prior to entering ATCP.
Formerly, the State Board for Educator Certification
approved Emergency Permits for qualified but uncertified
individuals to teach while pursuing certification. The
federal No Child Left Behind Act signed into law in 2002
requires all new teachers to be "highly
qualified". Emergency Permits do not meet the standards
of "highly qualified" and are therefore no longer
granted. An uncertified individual must be in a
certification program like ATCP before being considered
"highly qualified" and therefore eligible for
hiring.
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Can
I take a part-time teaching job?
No – Pasadena ISD ATCP trains individuals for full time
placement.
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Can
I teach anything else during my internship?
You must serve your internship in your approved
certification area. If you are asked to teach in another
area, you must contact the ATCP office for more information.
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Can
I coach while I'm an intern?
First, you must be teaching a minimum of 60% of your day in
your approved certification area in order to fulfill your
internship requirements. If you are asked to coach for a
class in which students are not receiving credit (for
instance, an after-school volleyball team), you are allowed
to do so if it does not interfere with your internship
duties.
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Can
I move to another campus or district during my internship?
You are not allowed to change your campus during the
one-year internship unless the change is initiated by Human
Resources in response to school populations.
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What
if I have to take a leave-of-absence from the school during
my internship year?
You are allowed to take the standard six-week leave; if you
miss more than six weeks, you will need to obtain an
extension of your internship. You must complete a full nine
months of teaching to fulfill your internship requirements.
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What
kind of support will I receive during my internship?
Pasadena ISD provides a team of educators to assist you
during the internship year, including a mentor, a campus
administrator, and a Pasadena ISD ATCP staff member.
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Who
assigns my mentor?
Your campus principal assigns a mentor.
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Certification
What teaching fields are available?
Please view the ATCP web site for a current list of areas
in which we certify. ATCP certifies in most areas in
response to district need.
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Can
I get certified in more than one teaching field?
You may apply for and meet the entrance requirements of more
than one, but you will be certified according to the
assignment you accept. After you complete the program and
become a certified teacher, you may add certification areas
to your certificate by taking the state exams in other areas
(no additional training or coursework is required).
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What
if I want to change areas of certification prior to
training?
You may wait until you begin university coursework to
choose a certification area from among those for which you
qualify.
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How
do I complete the program and become a certified teacher?
When you have successfully completed all internship
requirements, you will be recommended to the State Board for
Educator Certification for a Standard Teaching Certificate.
The requirements are:
- Complete all pre-service and ongoing training
- Complete 30 hours of observation
- Complete
30 hours of contact experiences
- Complete all prescribed university coursework with no
grades below B
- Pass all certification exams
- Complete observations with assigned mentor
- Have an acceptable PDAS
- Be granted principal approval and a teaching contract
for the following year
- Pay all assessed fees
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Can
I take exams in other areas and become certified in those
areas too?
Once you have successfully completed the program, you are
eligible to take exams in other areas without going through
additional training.
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What
if I don't pass one of the state exams?
If you are not able to complete all program requirements by
the end of the internship year as scheduled - including
passing the state exams - your internship will be extended
to allow time for completing the requirements.
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What if I am in a Certification Program but would like to be
in the PISD Alternative Certification Progarm?
Our Alternative Teacher
Certification Program does not typically accept interns from
another program. All applicants regardless of previous
training must follow our application procedures and meet the
program's requirements. When seeking a transfer into
Pasadena's program, candidate's must be in good standing
with their current program. Their current program must
verify the candidates good standing by completing our
Educator Candidate Transfer Form.
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Fees
How much does the program cost?
|
Fees Paid to
Pasadena I.S.D. ATCP
|
|
Fee |
Amount |
Note |
|
Application Fee |
$40 |
Paid by money order when you submit your application |
|
Internship |
$3,000 |
Currently waived in lieu of a 3-year agreement to
teach in PISD. The Board of Trustees may vote to
discontinue waiver of these fees at any time. |
|
University Coursework |
$1200 -$1,600 |
Paid throughout the teaching year via payroll
deduction |
|
Textbook |
$200 (approximate) |
Paid as assessed per semester. |
|
Fees Paid To Other
Entities |
|
Fee |
Amount |
Paid To |
|
THEA |
$29 |
National
Evaluation Systems (NES) |
|
Application-Probationary Teaching Certificate |
$99 |
State
Board for Educator Certification (SBEC-CRT) |
|
Application-Standard
Teaching Certificate |
$77 |
State
Board for Educator Certification (SBEC-CRT) |
|
State
exams |
$120 per exam |
Educational Testing Services (ETS) |
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What methods of payment can I use for fees
due to PISD?
ATCP will accept money order made
payable to PISD.
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What
method of payment can use for fees to to other entities?
ETS -- credit
cards for online registration
SBEC -- personal checks or credit cards for online payment
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Is
financial assistance available?
The bulk of the fees ($3,000) are covered by the district
in lieu of a 3-year agreement to teach in PISD.
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Miscellaneous
I have been teaching on a permit. Can I
still submit an application?
Individuals who have taught on some form of temporary
credential for three years without obtaining certification are
not eligible for our program. Individuals who have completed
two years of teaching on some form of temporary credential
must be aware that our program takes 11 to 14 months
(including a two-semester internship) to complete and could be
at risk of not completing their certification within the
three-year window.
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Do
you have to be a 'certified' teacher to get a teaching job?
To teach in Texas you must
hold some type of certification - either Standard or one of
the temporary credentials. While completing your internship in
this program, you are placed on a Probationary Certificate.
The 2002 No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) requires that all new
teachers are "highly qualified", meaning they are
fully certified or enrolled in an alternative certification
program and making satisfactory progress toward certification.
Emergency Permits are no longer issued in core content areas.
Please visit
www.tea.state.tx.us/nclb
for more information about NCLB.
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