Region 4 Education Service Center. Mexico Certification Program 2012

Region 4 Education Service Center Mexico Certification Program 2012 Region 4 Education Service Center Houston, Texas, USA Information updated July 9, 2012 All previous versions are voided

Region 4 Education Service Center Is one of 20 service centers in the State of Texas. Services one-fourth of students in the state. Provides multiple services for 54 school districts in the Houston area and the rest of the school districts in the State of Texas.

Purpose of the Teacher Preparation Program for Bilingual and Spanish Teachers To prepare degreed professionals who are proficient in English and Spanish to serve as bilingual elementary and middle and high school Spanish teachers in Texas through an alternative certification program.

What is Alternative Certification? Alternative Certification is designed to provide a process for becoming a certified/licensed teacher without completing a full program. It is an accelerated preparation program that includes pre-teaching studies, supervised internship, and post-assignment studies.

What Areas of Certification are Available? Bilingual Generalist EC-6 (Grades Early Childhood through 6) Bilingual Generalist 4-8 Bilingual Special Education LOTE (Language Other Than English)- Spanish EC-12 Math 4-8 Math 8-12 Science 4-8 Science 8-12

IMMEDIATE ACTION: PLEASE DISTRIBUTE INFORMATION TO ALL PRINCIPALS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO ALL TEACHERS March 26, 2012 TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED: SUBJECT: 2012-2013 Teacher Shortage Areas The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has received approval from the US Department of Education (USDE) for the 2012-2013 teacher shortage areas. Please note the shortage areas have changed from previous years. The approved statewide teacher shortage areas for the 2012-2013 school year are: Bilingual Education/English as a Second Language Foreign Languages Mathematics Science Special Education The approved shortage areas allow the administrator the ability to recruit and retain qualified teachers and to help reward teachers for their hard work using the loan forgiveness opportunities. School principals can act on behalf of the Commissioner of Education to certify that a teacher has met the minimum qualifications required for certain loan forgiveness programs. Please see our TEA loan forgiveness website (below) for all requirements for the Federal, State and Public Service loan forgiveness programs available to teachers. All school personnel can take advantage of the public service loan forgiveness program. We appreciate your help to inform current and future staff about the loan forgiveness opportunities. More information about eligibility for each of the programs and application forms can be found on the TEA website at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/loan.aspx. Thank you for directing teachers to this information and helping them complete the application for loan forgiveness. For additional information, please feel free to contact me at danielle.biehle@tea.state.tx.us or (512) 936-2166. Sincerely, Danielle Biehle Program Manager Educator Initiatives

Basic Requirements 1. 4/5 year university degree equivalent to a Bachelor s degree in the United States 2. 7.5 Grade Point Average on a 10-point scale or equivalent to a 2.5 GPA in the USA 3. English Language Proficiency Assessment 4. Basic Skills Requirement Met 5. Pass Interview in English. 6. 24 credit hours in the content area (Math, English, US History, Science)

Structure Pre-requisite Training (approximately ½ semester) + Pre-service Training (approximately ½ semester) + Teaching Internship 2 Consecutive Semesters with same employer Minimum of 3 Semesters

Pre-requisiteTraining 1. Basic Skills Test: Any student admitted into the Region 4 Teacher Preparation Program will be required to take and pass an SBEC approved basic skills tests in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. Minimum score of 78 on Reading Comprehension, 63 on Elementary Algebra, 80 on Sentence Skills, and 6 on the Written Essay. This requirement will be waived if candidate holds a US Bachelor s Degree or has already THEA test passing scores. Students can register and take all or part of the ACCUPLACER placement test through Region 4 Global Education Solutions

Pre-requisite Training 2. Language Proficiency Assessment: Proof of English language proficiency must be provided to the office during the first two months of training. Proficiency can be demonstrated with the following methods: A college degree earned in the United States. A college degree earned from an English speaking institution (all transcripts must be in English and must include a letter from the university or evaluation company stating all instruction was in English). the Versant test with a minimum score of 55* or the TOEFL ibt with a minimum score of 26* on the speaking section *Unsuccessful applicants will be referred to the appropriate staff member to discuss intensive language development options.

Pre-requisite Training 3. University courses in the content areas: English Composition, US History, Science and Math. (These courses are provided online and offered by Universidad Regiomontana). 4. Credential Evaluation with verification 5. Introduction to Teaching Online Course

Pre-service Training Internet access and webcamera are required. Pre-service training takes place prior to entering the classroom. Includes some elements which are common to all areas of certification and some which are unique to an individual area. All courses are online Classes are web-based and offered for all certification areas provided by Region 4. They are completed according to the student's schedule within a given time-frame as long as assignments are submitted by a weekly deadline. Students can log-in 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Internship The candidate becomes an intern once a position as a teacher has been obtained: It is the candidate s responsibility to obtain employment to complete the internship requirement. Probationary certificate is valid for one year with the possibility of renewal.

Additional Training Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility (PPR) exam preparation. Other on-going training as determined necessary.

Internship logistics As the teacher of record Salary and benefits based on district teacher salary schedule. All roles and responsibilities of a classroom teacher. Evaluated by the district measure of success as well as the evaluation by the program. The support team consists of: A mentor teacher. A supervising administrator. An intern supervisor.

Completing Standard Certification In order to complete the program and be recommended for standard certification an individual must successfully complete internship: Pass all required state exams for certification. Pay all applicable fees. Receive recommendation for certification from the Director. Complete all required paperwork and observations for the program. Complete all state required documentation for certification.

Completing Standard Certification (con t.) If all requirements for certification are not completed at the end of an internship, an intern can be extended on a probationary certificate for up to two years to allow for completion of program requirements.

Examinations Required for Standard Certification Basic Skills Test ACCUPLACER or THEA May be taken during pre-service training Content Exam Required state test of subject matter and teaching methods TExES Bilingual Elementary (EC-6), ExCET Spanish (6-12) or LOTE Spanish EC-12 May be taken before or during pre-service training TExES Pedagogy & Professional Responsibility Taken during internship year in Texas BTLPT (Spanish) For bilingual and teachers of Spanish May be taken during internship year in Texas

Program Timeline August 12, 2012 Application deadline August 20 through October 30, 2012 Pre-requisite training November 5 through February 20, 2013 Pre-service training Includes university courses and on-line courses in preparation for your classroom experience and for the Basic Skills Test and TExES examination (required state tests)

What is the Cost? There is no cost to apply for the program!

Program Costs There is no cost to apply for the program! If accepted to the program: English proficiency test $ 40 (if needed). English Conversation Courses $300 (if needed). Credential Evaluation $ 225.00 (if needed). ACCUPLACER Test $ 75.00 (if needed). University courses $ 185.00 each course (if needed). Pre-requisite Training $ 1, 525.00 Pre-service Training $ 975.00

Schedule of Payments August 20: Credential Evaluation $225. (if needed) Versant Test $40.00 (if needed) Pre-requisite Training $508.00 (Introduction to Teaching) September 20: Pre-requisite Training $508.00 (Introduction to Teaching) ACCUPLACER Test $75 October 20: Pre-requisite Training $508.00 (Introduction to Teaching) English Conversation Courses $300 (if needed) November 20: Pre-service Training $487.00 (Content Training) December 20: Pre-service Training $488.00 (Content Training)

Payment Fees not paid to Region 4 are subject to change without notice. Payment may be made online by credit card (Visa or MasterCard). At this time does not offer financial aid.

Application Process Complete free online application. https://www.escweb.net/tx_acp/acpapplication/signup.aspx Once you complete de application, please make a CD on PDF including: 1. Official transcripts from all Universities from which course credit was given, make sure they are clear, so we can read it. (Include a photocopy of each transcript front and back) 2. Explanation and court documentation of any criminal history. (Carta de no antecedentes penales) 3. Copy of TITULO (front and Back) 4. 3 Recommendation letters. 5. Copy of Visa and passport. 6. Print the first page of application on line it has be done, before sending it (before clicking SUBMIT).

Application Process cont.. IF YOU LIVE IN MEXICO (Any city) This documents have to be handle physically: 1 original y 1 copia de Solicitud Universidad Regiomontana, impresa a color (llenar las 2 hojas a mano y no cambiar el formato PDF). Para obtener la solicitud enviar mail a: mvillalba@mail.ur.mx / melizondoj@mail.ur.mx 1 original y 1 copia del Acta de Nacimiento 2 copias de un comprobante de domicilio donde se aprecie el código postal.

Application process cont 1 copia notariada de cedula profesional y una copia simple. Notaria No. 98 Lic. Oscar Toledano 8115-1109 (Mencionar UR para tarifa institucional en la ciudad de Mty). 2 copias del CURP 8 fotografías tamaño credencial, blanco y negro, (NO OVALADAS) con el nombre escrito por la parte de atrás de cada fotografía: No instantaneas, papel mate, no brillosas Hombres: Saco y Corbata, Mujeres: Blusa de cuello (no escotes) y manga larga

Application Process (con t.) Application and Transcripts are reviewed Application review takes approximately 10 days. If academic requirements are met, candidate is notified. If academic requirements are not met, clear indication of remediation is provided and official transcripts are returned. Interview An interview is required for bilingual Spanish applicants if language proficiency has not already been established. The interview may be conducted in person or by phone in English.

After Applicant is Accepted Applicant is notified of acceptance by email and schedule will be sent

What Salary Can be Expected? The average starting teacher s salary in Texas is anticipated to be between $40,000 and $47,000 USD for a 187-day contract Many districts offer additional stipends to bilingual teachers generally $2,000 - $5,000 USD A few districts will pay all or a portion of the program costs

Costs Paid During First Year of Teaching in Texas (Payroll Deduction) Program fee* 4,800. (Includes supervision and additional preparation for TExES Professional Exam, supervisor, mentor and Administration fees). * These fees are deducted from the salary via payroll deduction or bank draft while teaching in Texas.

Total Cost Fees to Region 4 are paid out over a year. Payroll deduction or bank draft are required. Fees not paid to Region 4 are subject to change without notice.

As an ACP TEACHER What Do You Get? Upon successful completion of the program, you receive a standard Texas teacher certificate which is valid anywhere in Texas and is recognized in many other U.S. states.

As an ACP TEACHER What Do You Get? There is no guarantee that the certificate is transferable to another state without additional coursework. Region 4 does not guarantee employment or certification. Region 4 does not guarantee candidates will pass required state exams but will provide preparation for them.

Checklist for Application To Activate a File Go to this URL https://www.escweb.net/tx_acp/acpapplication/signup.aspx If you have any questions email or call: Lic. Mary-Carmen Villarreal mvillalba@mail.ur.mx Mty 8220 4652 República Mexicana sin costo 01800 8883224 Thank you for your interest in