DISD Alternative Teacher Certification
Alternative teacher certification programs enable men and women with degrees who did not undergo traditional teacher training to earn teaching certificates in an accelerated period of time. Dallas Independent School District, one of the largest public school systems in the nation, offers one of the largest alternative certification programs in Texas. Trainees undergo a year of training, after which they are guaranteed a teaching position in a Dallas public school.
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Identification
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Dallas Independent School District (DISD) is the 10th-largest public school system in the United States. It has more than 200 schools and an enrollment of more than 160,000 students. DISD began its alternative certification program in 1986. Every year, the program trains 200 to 300 men and women with four-year college degrees to become teachers.
Features
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Candidates selected for the alternative certification program undergo eight weeks of training at DISD's alternative certification training center. They then begin teaching in one of DISD's elementary or secondary campuses. Once in the classroom, alternative certification candidates (known as interns) teach their own classes, but receive extensive support from a mentor teacher and alternative certification program staff members.
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Certification Requirements
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DISD's alternative certification program will recommend interns for Texas state teacher certification, provided they meet the following requirements: passing state certification tests, satisfactory classroom teaching performance and fulfilling all alternative certification program requirements. In addition, interns must receive favorable recommendations from their campus principal, mentor teacher and an alternative certification program specialist.
Considerations
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The majority of DISD's students are Hispanic, many of whom have limited proficiency in English. Therefore, the alternative certification program especially needs candidates with fluency in Spanish. The district also needs mathematics and science teachers. The district offers additional stipends for teachers in science, mathematics, Spanish and bilingual programs.
Admission
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An applicant for DISD's alternative certification program must submit an online application and pay a $50 application fee (nonrefundable). The applicant also must submit copies of a photo identification, Social Security card, resume and two official transcripts from the university from which she received her degree. Transcripts from any other colleges attended, regardless of whether a degree was earned, are required, as well. Applicants must have at least a bachelor's degree and a minimum grade point average of 2.5.
Benefits
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DISD teachers earned between $44,350 and $69,715 in 2008. Stipends and signing bonuses are available in critical needs areas, such as math, science, Spanish and bilingual education.
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