Alabama Administrative Code
Title 290 - ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Chapter 290-3-3 - TEACHER EDUCATION - PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Section 290-3-3-.60 - Alternative Teacher Preparation Organizations (ATPO)
Universal Citation: AL Admin Code R 290-3-3-.60
Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 11, August 30, 2024
In accordance with Act 2022-239 and Act 2023-451, the Alabama State Board of Education (ALSBE) modifies its policies relative to the certification of teachers who have completed an alternative teacher preparation pathway through an ALSBE-approved alternative teacher preparation organization. Enrollment in or completion of an approved pathway will permit the issuance of:
(1) an alternative certificate in an available teaching field and grade level to those qualified individuals who are enrolled in an approved pathway, and
(2) a Professional Educator Certificate in an available teaching field and grade level to those qualified individuals who successfully complete an approved pathway. Alabama colleges and universities may also participate in this alternative preparation pathway.
(1)
Database of ALSBE Approved
ATPOs. The State Superintendent of Education shall maintain a database
of ALSBE approved ATPOs as a means for screening, recruiting, and recommending
for certification qualified individuals to teach in the Alabama public K-12
schools.
(2)
ATPO
Requirements for Approval. To request ALSBE approval, the ATPO shall
submit a complete application which must include all items in Option 1 or
Option 2.
(a)
Option 1.
1. Documentation of successful operation in
at least five states and verification that the ATPO is not on probation or
under investigation in any of those states. This requirement does not apply to
Alabama colleges and universities with State-approved programs.
2. Documentation of successful operation of
an alternative teacher education preparation pathway for at least 10 years.
This requirement does not apply to Alabama colleges and universities with
State-approved programs.
3.
Documentation of successfully certifying at least 10,000 teachers in the United
States. This requirement does not apply to Alabama colleges and universities
with State-approved programs.
(b)
Option 2. Documentation that
the ATPO is approved by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator
Preparation (CAEP).
(3)
Approval. ATPO applications shall be approved by the ALSBE prior
to implementation.
(4)
Available teaching Fields and Grade Level(s)
|
Grades K-12 |
|
|
Arabic |
Latin |
|
Chinese |
Music/Choral |
|
English for Speakers of Other Languages |
Music/Instrumental |
|
French |
Russian |
|
German |
Spanish |
|
Italian |
Theatre |
|
Japanese |
Visual Arts |
|
Korean | |
|
Grades 6-12 |
|
|
Agriscience Education |
Family and Consumer Sciences Education |
|
Algebra I |
General Science |
|
Biology |
General Social Science |
|
Business/Marketing Education |
Geography |
|
Career Technologies |
Health Education |
|
Chemistry |
History |
|
Collaborative Special Education Teacher |
Mathematics |
|
Computer Science |
Physical Education |
|
English Language Arts |
Physics |
|
Grades 4-8 |
|
|
English Language Arts |
General Science |
|
General Social Science |
Mathematics |
|
Grades K-6 |
|
|
Collaborative Special Education Teacher |
Elementary Education |
|
Grades P-3 |
|
|
Early Childhood Education |
|
(5)
Testing Requirements. Individuals seeking alternative or
professional certification through an ALSBE-approved ATPO must successfully
meet prescribed subject area, pedagogy,
and Foundations of Reading assessments by
meeting requirements in Option 1 or Option 2. The Foundations of Reading
assessment is required for Grades 6-12 Collaborative Special Education Teacher,
Grades K-6 Collaborative Special Education Teacher, Elementary Education, and
Grades P-3 Early Childhood Education.
(a)
Option 1. Pass the current Alabama Educator Certification
Assessment Program (AECAP) approved Praxis subject area, pedagogy
assessment(s), and Foundations of Reading
assessment for the appropriate teaching field and grade level(s).
(b)
Option 2. Pass the subject
area, pedagogy assessment(s), and
Foundations of Reading assessment provided by or utilized by the ATPO. Prior to
this being used as an option, the Alabama State Department of Education
(ALSDE), must determine if the assessments are substantially aligned with
Alabama standards. Any costs associated with this analysis are the
responsibility of the alternative teacher preparation organization.
(6)
Applicant Requirements
for an Alternative Certificate.
(a)
Successful criminal history background check by both the Alabama State Bureau
of Investigation (ASBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through
the ALSDE.
(b) Verification of
United States citizenship or lawful presence in the United States.
(c) Hold a bachelor's or higher degree from a
senior institution that was regionally accredited at the time the degree was
earned.
(d) Recommendation for an
alternative certificate in the appropriate teaching field and grade level(s) by
the employing Alabama county/city superintendent. The recommendation must
include the classroom schedule verifying appropriate in-field placement, and
participation in the Alabama Teacher Mentoring Program (ATMP).
(e) Verification from the ATPO of successful
program admission/enrollment and a comprehensive outline of all required
courses and modules for the appropriate teaching field and grade
level(s).
(f) Verification of
current passing scores on the approved subject area assessment(s) as outlined
in Rule 290-3-3-.60(5).
(g) Up to three one-year alternative
certificates based on this pathway may be held.
1. All alternative certificates under this
pathway, must be held within four scholastic years from the July 1, beginning
date of the first certificate.
2.
An individual may not be employed for more than three scholastic years on the
basis of holding an alternative certificate of any combination or any
type.
(7)
Applicant Requirements for the Professional Educator Certificate.
(a) Successful criminal history background
check by both the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation (ASBI) and the Federal
Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the ALSDE.
(b) Verification of United States citizenship
or lawful presence in the United States.
(c) Hold a bachelor's or higher degree from a
senior institution that was regionally accredited at the time the degree was
earned.
(d) Recommended for a
Professional Educator Certificate in the appropriate teaching field and grade
level(s) by the ATPO. The recommendation must include verification of
successful pathway completion and a comprehensive outline of all required
courses and modules for the appropriate teaching field and grade
level(s).
(e) Verification of
current passing scores on the approved subject area and pedagogy
assessment(s) as outlined in Rule
290-3-3-.60(5).
(8)
Compliance with the
United States Department of Education Regulations. This rule applies to
Grades K-6 and 6-12 Collaborative Special Education Teacher. In addition to
meeting pathway requirements, the ATPO must ensure:
1. The individual is provided with
high-quality professional development that is sustained, intensive, and
classroom-focused in order to have a positive and lasting impact on classroom
instruction, before and while teaching.
2. The individual participates in a program
with intensive supervision that consists of structured guidance.
3. The individual demonstrates satisfactory
progress toward full certification.
(9)
Progress Report. The
approved organization shall annually submit a progress report detailing the
number of individuals who completed the program during the year and
verification of continued compliance with
290-3-3-.60(2).
(10)
Termination and Reviews.
(a) The State Superintendent of Education
reserves the right to require special reviews in response to the adoption of
new laws standards, significant changes to existing standards, or evidence of
contributing factors.
(b) The State
Superintendent of Education reserves the right to rescind approval of an
approved ATPO for noncompliance with this rule.
(11)
General Information.
(a) The alternative certificate and the
Professional Educator Certificate will be issued at the bachelor's degree level
as all other alternative certificates.
(b) An individual who is issued a
Professional Educator Certificate pursuant to this section may apply for
certificate renewal and shall in all other respects be treated in the same
manner as an individual who holds a Professional Educator Certificate granted
upon successful completion of traditional, in-state teaching certification
programs.
Author: Dr. Eric G. Mackey
Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 16-3-16, 16-23-14, Act 2022-239
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