The State Board for Educator Certification approved Alternative-South Texas Educator Program is an intensive one year educator preparation program designed to identify, select, train and certify top quality teacher-candidates through a series of workshops, seminars, field activities, and an internship.
Alternative certification programs evolved out of a perceived need to not only address teacher shortages, but also to improve the quality of teaching.
Historically, university teacher education programs have been the primary source of teachers for school districts. Their teacher preparation programs are approved by the State. School districts therefore recruit teachers from these institutions.
Simply stated, the increasing need for teachers due to student population increases, teacher resignations and retirements, concern for the quality of teaching, and the inability of educational institutions to keep up with the demand for highly qualified teachers across the State of Texas and the nation, has led to the development of Alternative Education Programs.
By 1998, 41 states reported having some type of alternative certification program. It is estimated that approximately 90,000 individuals have been certified through these programs nationwide.
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