Best of the Web: Alternative Certification

Periodically we compile a list of the best of what the Internet has to offer to teachers—be that in the classroom or just in daily life. The current edition, “Alternative Certification,” highlights websites that focus on altnerative pathways to becoming a new teacher. If you're looking to change careers and enter education, check out these helpful resources.

If you would like to suggest a topic, please email us at info@teacherscount.org.

Alternative Certification

The Center for Alternative Certification
The National Center for Alternative Certification can help any individual become a teacher. The site provides comprehensive information on all the possible paths for potential teachers. Testing locations, online tutorials, policy issues and state requirements are among the many resources available. To teach now, start here.

The New Teacher Project
The New Teacher Project is devoted to attracting young, highly qualified applicants into the education world in order to help close the education gap and provide lasting improvement in our schools. Teaching fellowships include scholarships for Masters Degrees, placement in a public school and salaries commensurate with a first year teaching posistion. Fellowship programs are available in major cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and Chicago, among others.

The National Association for Alternative Certification
The NAAC advocates for progressive educator preparation to lead to effective schooling. NAAC reviews trends and issues to inform practices and policies relevant to recruitment, preparation, certification, support, assessment, and retention of high-performing educators.

Certification Requirements
This helpful guide, compiled by the University of Kentucky education department, provides links to each state’s unique teaching requirements. Becoming familiar with these standards will inform your search for certification in your area.

TEACH.gov
The TEACH campaign, run by the U.S. Department of Education, is designed to inform visitors about the advantages of teaching. A valuable feature can be found in the “Become a Teacher” section of the website: There you will find a series of questions tailored to your experience in order to create the best suited pathway to becoming a teacher.

 

National Center for Education Information
This site provides a complete history of the alternative certification route. With comprehensive data from the U.S. and elsewhere, the site provides a striking case for the importance of alternatively certified candidates.

National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification
NASDTEC is dedicated to improving the quality of education in the country by improving teacher education standards. The organization facilitates a more cohesive alternative licensure structure and comprehensive evaluations of potential candidates.

 

MAT@USC
This online certification program allows candidates to earn their Masters of Arts in Teaching at an accelerated pace. Through online tutoring and field-based experiments, students can learn the essentials of teaching art. The program is run through the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education.

WGU Online Teacher Licensure Programs
Western Governors University is a prime example of the type of online licensure programs now available to potential teachers. Bachelors, Post-Baccalaureate and Masters degrees in teaching are available for enrollment. Online programs present a unique situation in which preparation for a career change can be scheduled at your ease and completed from your own home.