NOTE: Transition to Teaching Program is based on availability of Title II Funds and must be approved annually by Wayne County Board of Education.

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1 Wayne County Schools Transition to Teaching provides an alternate way to teacher certification. The program is funded by Title II funds. Policy is out for a 10 day comment period which will end May 3, Comments may be submitted in writing to Johnita Jackson, Secretary to the Superintendent. Fax # /18/2013

2 Wayne County Transition to Teaching Policy Transition to Teaching adheres to WV Code 18A-3-1a and WVDE Policy authorizing alternative educational Programs. The Transition to Teaching Project is an alternative certification program that works with targeted West Virginia school districts to place and certify qualifying participants in the classroom. Early in the process, participants teaching in a critical shortage area and at the same time complete their individualized, online program. The program provides financial incentives and an extensive mentoring and support system for the duration of the program. NOTE: Transition to Teaching Program is based on availability of Title II Funds and must be approved annually by Wayne County Board of Education. Transition to Teaching (TtT) Process Guide: Eligibility: Individuals must meet the following criteria to qualify for application for the Wayne County Board of Education: Hold United States citizenship Earned at least a 2.5 overall GPA Praxis I All applicants must achieve passing scores or qualify for an exemption (exempt if applicant has Master s degree or advanced scores on ACT(American College Test) & SAT( Scholastic Aptitude Test), according to WV State code: Praxis I (WVBE-adopted pre-professional basic skills exam): Have test scores sent to WVDE (Tests 0710 Reading; 0720 Writing; & 0730 Mathematics). Praxis I may be waived if applicant has a master s degree from a regionally-accredited college or earned a score of 25 on the ACT prior to Nov 1989 or 26 beginning Nov Qualifying scores for Praxis I waiver for SAT are 1035 prior to April 1995 and 1125 beginning April All TtT candidates must pass or show documentation for exemption from the Praxis I exam. Send all documentation to Doug Cipoletti (contact information provided below). Hold a bachelor s degree (or higher) in a major other than education from a regionally accredited college or university. You may check the college s accreditation at Transcripts will be reviewed by Doug Cipoletti to determine teaching path and grade level based on the type, level, and number of content courses reflected on transcript. Participants Must be willing to: Seek employment in one of the following TtT shortage areas which include: Math, Science and Special Education (grades 6-12). Wayne County will only consider the

3 areas that are at a shortage in our county. Selected participants of the Transition to Teaching Project will commit to at least two (2) years in that position. Complete the online program of study during the first year, provided by one of the partnering institutions of higher education (IHE), Marshall University or West Virginia University while employed full time in the school system. Pass West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE)-adopted Praxis exam. For specific test administration timelines & for a list of the WVBE-required Praxis exams which reflects specific content area and level, refer to Praxis II Specific subject area candidates (math, science, English, foreign language) must take Praxis II content exam(s) early in the application process. Special education content exam is taken near the end of first year. Praxis II for Principles of Learning & Teaching exam Praxis II (PLT) is taken by all candidates near the end of first year after online coursework preparation. Note: Before submitting an application for Transition to Teaching, carefully examine the eligibility and participation requirements of the TtT program and evaluate your interest and commitment levels. Contact the Project Director (Doug Cipoletti) if you have any unanswered questions and for help with determining your teaching path or content endorsement(s) for special education candidates. Once your teaching path is determined, check the county website often for job postings. Please be advised that establishing eligibility and submitting an application is only a part of the TtT selection process. Once eligibility is established, the next steps are: 1. Determine Teaching Path: Communicate with the Project Director (Doug Cipoletti) about your teaching path. Transcript(s) will be reviewed for targeted subject-area content (how many courses, type, level, course compatibility/equivalency, etc). 2. Research Job Openings in Wayne County: Crucial to your being selected is your continuous exploration of job postings in your teaching path in the TtT-qualifying schools. For advice about job openings, contact Director of Personnel, Dinah Ledbetter ( ext. 333), or Director of Federal Programs, Mary Lou Perry ( ext. 363). Securing a job in the school system is the final step before full admittance/selection into the Transition to Teaching Program and access to program benefits. Job openings are usually posted on each county s website and often on the WVDE website: Application: Submit Application: TtT applications may be obtained on the Transition to Teaching web site Mail the application to the address below, along with a clearly readable copy of your transcript from the institution where you earned your degree. (Make sure your transcripts reflect all classes taken). Include any available information or documentation regarding the Praxis exams (ticket/registration confirmation, actual scores). Later, as your application moves through

4 the process, you will be required to submit an official, seal-bearing transcript to the project director. Praxis I (WVBE-adopted pre-professional basic skills exam): Have test scores sent to WVDE (Tests 0710 Reading; 0720 Writing; & 0730 Mathematics). Praxis I may be waived if applicant has a master s degree from a regionally-accredited college or earned a score of 25 on the ACT prior to Nov 1989 or 26 beginning Nov Qualifying scores for Praxis I waiver for SAT are 1035 prior to April 1995 and 1125 beginning April All TtT candidates must pass or show documentation for exemption from the Praxis I exam. Send all documentation to the project director, Doug Cipoletti. Wayne County requires passing of the Praxis I prior to consideration for hiring. Praxis II (WVBE-adopted) exams for subject area content (General Education/specific subject candidates only at this point in the process): and have scores sent to WVDE, Doug Cipoletti). Employment: Attain employment at a qualifying school in Wayne County in candidate s qualifying teaching path. Submit Form 25T -- Application for Alternative Teaching Certificate -- Selected candidates, along with district-level personnel (employing superintendent s signature required) will submit Form 25T to the WVDE. If selected TtT participant has never been employed in WV public schools, the following additional forms and fees are needed (for background check, etc.): Form 7, fingerprint card, and $59 check or money order payable to WVDE. Forms may be downloaded at If candidate has previously been awarded a credential to work in a WV public school system, s/he must only submit Form 25-T and a $25 check or money order made payable to WVDE. Depending upon transcript analysis for content endorsement, some applicants in the special education teaching path will need to complete a Form 26 also at this time. (District personnel may assist you with Form 26 special education content endorsement). Enroll in the Institution of Higher Education (IHE) Doug Cipoletti will recommend selected participant for the TtT program to the partnering IHE s MUGC & WVU. Individuals designated for general education teaching areas of English, math, science, or foreign language will apply to MUGC, and individuals designated for the special education path will apply to WVU. Both institutions require a seal-bearing official transcript from the institution where you obtained your degree(s). Program Admittance -- At this point (after all the above components are successfully completed), candidates who have been recommended by the Project Director, Doug Cipoletti, secured employment in their designated teaching path, and have been accepted by the institution of higher education become full participants in the Transition to Teaching Project: First Year: Be issued an Alternative Teaching Certificate (for first year)

5 Begin to receive the financial benefits of the Transition to Teaching Program: TtTtuition (WVDE pays tuition directly to IHE), TtT- required travel reimbursement, laptop computer Begin online coursework Begin teaching in the classroom (teacher of record with full benefits) Receive support and guidance from mentor and academic coach End of the First Year: Pass Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching all participants Pass Special Education multi-categorical Praxis II test: 543 Special Education participants only Receive successful evaluation of coursework by MUGC or WVU. Receive a satisfactory or better Performance Evaluation by school administrator Be issued the Initial Professional Teaching Certificate, upon obtaining passing scores for all required Praxis exams and satisfactory evaluation from the university and principal Second Year: Continue in original teaching placement Continue to receive support and mentoring from TtT Project personnel Complete on-line professional development courses to further develop teaching strategies Wayne County requires passing scores on the Praxis 1 prior to consideration for hiring. The county will also only consider areas of shortage within our county. Candidates that are hired through the Transition to Teaching program must commit to teach in Wayne County for three years or return the monies expended for their participation in the Transition to Teaching Program to Wayne County. Contact Information: Doug Cipoletti, TtT Project Director Office of Professional Preparation West Virginia Department of Education Bldg. 6, Suite Kanawha Blvd, East Charleston, WV [email protected]