Frequently Asked Questions

PPR and Internship Tuition Payment FAQ's

What is the LSC-Tomball Alternative Teacher Certification Program (ATCP)?
LSC-Tomball Alternative Teacher Certification Program (ATCP) was established on May 2, 2003, by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification. LSC-Tomball offers a high-quality teacher certification that addresses the needs of mature and motivated individuals with bachelor's degrees interested in non-traditional routes to the teaching profession.

How is LSC-Tomball ATCP different from the traditional method of preparing teachers?
Offering teacher certification at community colleges is a new concept created in response to the critical shortage of teachers in Texas. "Current research aimed at improving the condition of teacher education has called for increasing the approaches to teacher preparation." (National Commission on Teaching and America's Future, 1996)

LSC-Tomball ATCP program is intensive, fast-tracked, and modular based. Classes are held on evenings, weekends and on a daytime fast-track basis to accommodate a variety of schedules. Students have the option to enter the program in the fall or spring for added flexibility.

The program seeks those candidates who can successfully transfer specific content area expertise, pedagogy, ingenuity, commitment, life and work experience, and interpersonal skills into the classroom environment.

What certification areas are included in the LSC-Tomball inventory of approved certification programs?

Content areas approved by the State Board for Educator Certification and offered at LSC-Tomball are:

EC-12	EC-4	4-8	8-12
English as a Second Language	Bilingual Generalist - Spanish	Bilingual Generalist	English Language Arts & Reading
Special Education	Bilingual Education Supplemental - Spanish	Bilingual Education Supplemental - Spanish	History
Special Education Supplemental	English as a Second Language Generalist	English Language Arts & Reading	Life Science
	Generalist	English Language Arts & Reading/ Social Studies	Mathematics
		English as a Second Language Generalist	Physical Science
		Generalist	Science
		Mathematics	Social Studies
		Mathematics/ Science
		Science
		Social Studies

Will my teaching certificate be the same as those who have gone through a traditional teacher education program at a university or college?
Yes. Certificates granted through LSC-Tomball ATCP are identical to certificates granted through traditional teacher education programs. The certificate enables recipients to teach in the subject area anywhere in Texas.

What are LSC-Tomball's ATCP training requirements?

Training requirements include but are not limited to pedagogy and professional development competencies, evaluations, assessments, field-based experiences, a service learning project, professional observations and appraisals, a professional portfolio, attendance, and participation. Pre-service teachers must successfully meet or exceed ALL training requirements.

The training has been carefully planned to address the state teacher proficiencies and the TExES competencies, which will assist you in the classroom and prepare you for the certification exams.

What do I have to submit to apply to LSC-Tomball's ATCP?
Candidates will be required to submit the following materials:

Completed application
Application fee- $40.00 [non-refundable]
Official transcripts from all colleges / universities attended
Official score report on the THEA (formerly TASP)
Resumé and/or portfolio with computer skills and related work experience
Three professional recommendation letters
An explanation of any criminal history concerns

What is admission based on for LSC-Tomball's ATCP?
Admissions will be based on the following criteria:

Application materials
Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
Education or work experience in specific content-area fields
Review of official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
Official score report on the THEA
Test Scores on LSC-Tomball internal assessment
Assessment of basic computer skills
Three confidential reference forms
Interview

Once I turn in an application and meet the requirements, am I automatically enrolled in the program?
No. Submitting an application and meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program. A holistic approach using multiple criteria is used when considering applicants. The ATCP selects only those applicants for this intensive accelerated teacher preparation program that have met all the criteria and have the personal and professional qualities necessary for success as a classroom teacher. All applicants are notified in writing about acceptance into or rejection from the program.

Why is an assessment required for applying to the program?
The State Board of Educator Certification, Chapter 227 - Admission to an Educator Preparation Program - states that, "Screening for admission is to include but not be limited to college level skills in reading, oral and written communication, critical thinking, and mathematics."

Is the LSC-Tomball's Internal Assessment required even though I have taken another skills test, GRE, TASP, or am TASP/THEA exempt?
Yes. Everyone applying to LSC-Tomball ATCP will have to take the assessment. This will ensure everyone applying to the program is equally assessed on his or her present knowledge and skill level. Besides screening for admissions, the LSC-Tomball Assessment will also act as a placement tool for entrance into the program.

Where will the training take place?
The training will take place at LSC-Tomball's main campus located at 30555 Tomball Parkway, Tomball, Texas.

How am I assessed in LSC-Tomball's Alternative Teacher Certification Program?
A Professional Teaching Portfolio will be an ongoing project for each participant in the ATCP. The portfolio will include information from multiple sources and will introduce and present the teacher as a professional. Personal information about the teacher will include an autobiography, resume, professional goals and objectives, educational philosophy, evidence of subject matter knowledge, evidence of pedagogical knowledge, and any noteworthy awards or honors. Evaluations, a classroom management plan, original lesson plans, and a video of a lesson will provide documentation of the teacher's accomplishments. The portfolio will also include the teacher's perspectives on teaching. Reflections, school/student profiles, and documentation of other experiences will conclude the portfolio. Upon completion, the portfolio will be used as an assessment of the teacher and will also serve as validation of work accomplished, as material for analysis and reflection, and as an interview supplement.

Formative and Summative Assessments

In addition to the professional teaching portfolio, teachers will be evaluated based on the following assessments and benchmarks:

Participation in required instruction and on-line discussions
Coursework and grades
Formal observations and evaluations by the mentor coordinator, mentor teacher and school personnel
Examination for the Certification of Educators in Texas (TExES) scores
Professional Development and Appraisal System (PDAS)

What is a Pre-service teacher?
A pre-service teacher is an individual currently enrolled in LSC-Tomball's ATCP training program.

What is an intern?
An intern is an individual in the first-year of LSC-Tomball supervised classroom teaching.

Is an intern appraised by the Professional Development Appraisal System (PDAS)?
Yes. State Board of Education rules require that you have satisfactory ratings on the Professional Development Appraisal System (PDAS) to be recommended for certification.

Can the intern be designated as a teacher of record?
Yes. The intern will be assigned as a teacher of record and required to teach a full load. TEA will furnish the district with documentation, which will identify the intern as a provisionally certified teacher, thereby confirming the teacher-of-record status.

Who supervises the LSC-Tomball intern during their intern year at the school district?
The intern will be under the direct, ongoing and shared supervision of the building principal, (or administrative alternative), a LSC-Tomball mentor coordinator, and a mentor teacher. This cadre of individuals will provide instructional and professional support and assistance to the intern.

During the intern year am I paid a salary?
Yes, once hired by a school district, you are eligible for first-year teacher's pay. As with any employment, it is the employee's responsibility to inquire as to salary and benefits. You are considered the teacher of record and an employee of that school district.

What kind of salary can I expect to earn?
It is the applicant's responsibility to check with individual districts about their respective salary scales and benefit packages.

Must an emergency situation exist before a district can employ a LSC-Tomball ATCP intern?
No. Districts may fill vacancies with interns just as they would with any certified teacher

How do I find a job? Does LSC-Tomball's ATCP place interns?
Candidates should begin seeking a teaching position early, but usually not earlier than March. The majority of the candidates are hired during the months of May, June, and July. Each intern is responsible for securing his/her own employment with an area public school district and meeting the district's eligibility requirements.

LSC-Tomball ATCP will notify the pre-service teacher of all placement opportunities. Many area school districts hold job fairs in the spring. LSC-Tomball ATCP will make pre-service teachers aware of job fairs and employment opportunities.

What if I enter the program and cannot locate an employing school district?
The program training will carry over to employment in the following year. LSC-Tomball ATCP will continue to advise the intern of all placement opportunities.

Which TExES tests will I have to take to be certified?
Anyone seeking educator certification in Texas must pass examinations of professional knowledge and subject matter knowledge approved by the State Board for Educator Certification (Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES), Texas Oral Proficiency Test (TOPT), Texas Assessment of Sign Communication (TASC) and (TASC-ASL).

With assistance from almost 2000 Texas educators, parents, and business and community representative, the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) has created many new sets of standards for beginning educators in an entry-level position. These standards are focused upon the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), the required statewide public school curriculum, and they reflect current research on the developmental stages and needs of children from Early Childhood through Grade 12. New educator standards are intended for implementation in SBEC-approved educator preparation programs. The first new certificates based on these standards were available for the first time in fall 2002. Once developed, all new standards are then used in the development of test frameworks for new Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES), the new certification examination program to begin in fall 2002. The TExES program will replace the current testing program, the Examinations for the Certification of Educators in Texas (ExCET), in stages over the next several years.

You can access the SBEC-approved new educator standards by certification field and level, along with the implementation year for the corresponding new certificates and TExES tests at http://www.sbec.state.tx.us/stand_framewrk/newedstandcertfldlevl.htm

What do I have to do to take the TExES test?
You must be recommended by the LSC-Tomball Alternative Teacher Certification Program in order to take the TExES test. Enrollment in the LSC-Tomball Alternative Teacher Certification Program alone does not guarantee recommendation for examination or certification.

To receive certification in the state of Texas, you must successfully pass the required certification tests for your certification area. You will register for all certification tests through the LSC-Tomball Alternative Teacher Certification Program office. The ATCP office staff will approve you to register you in the SBEC system when you are eligible to take the exam.

After I have completed TC's training program and passed the required TExES tests does that mean I'm a certified teacher?
No. You must successfully complete an intern year on a probationary certificate. Your school district and the LSC-Tomball Alternative Teacher Certification Program must also recommend you at the end of your intern year.

What if I have been convicted of a crime?
In accordance with Article 6252-12c, Texas Civil Statutes, the Commissioner of Education may refuse to issue a teaching certificate for persons convicted of a felony or misdemeanor crimes directly relating to the duties and responsibilities of the teaching profession. Applicants for Texas Certificates will be screened for a record of felony or misdemeanor convictions through the Texas Department of Public Safety. Potential applicants should contact the Certification Officer regarding concerns about this Texas requirement. Also, local ISDs conduct criminal record checks on individuals seeking employment and/or access into the schools, which will include your field-based experiences. Potential applicants should contact local ISDs regarding concerns about their criminal convictions.

If I am certified in another state or country, how do I become certified in Texas?
Teachers from other states or countries who hold acceptable credentials from their home state or country can gain certification in Texas by passing the appropriate Texas certification tests. For more information, go to http://www.sbec.state.tx.us/certinfo/routescertif.htm

Some out-of-state teachers can gain certification in Texas based on the certification tests they took in another state, if SBEC has found those tests to be similar to and at least as rigorous as equivalent Texas tests. SBEC began the process of reviewing other state's tests in fall 2001. For an overview of this review process and a list of the out-of-state tests reviewed to date, go to http://www.sbec.state.tx.us/hottopic/compstudywebRevFeb25.pdf

What is included in the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities [PPR] Modules?
The curriculum framework is aligned with the PPR Standards and Domain Competencies adopted by the State Board of Educator Certification. Instruction will address current research and methodology to provide teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary for successful classroom instruction. To ensure success, evaluations demonstrating mastery of these professional standards and competencies are built into the program. All candidates must pass the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities TExES to receive certification from the State Board of Educator Certification. ATCP participants will receive a minimum of 108 contact hours of training in the PPR modules of the program. The training is divided into 16 training modules as follows:

Human Development
Supportive Environment
Human Diversity
How Learning Occurs
Motivation
Planning Processes
Communication
Higher-Order Thinking

Educational Resources
Assessment
Lifelong Learning
School Culture
Parent/Teacher Relationships
Community Relations
Teaching in Texas
Technology Applications

Are there any technology requirements for program participation?
The ATCP integrates technology into the preparation program both for communication and course delivery. Some instruction is delivered via the Internet. All program participants must own or have access to a personal computer, printer and Internet connection.

Minimum system requirements:

Personal computer with a minimum of a Pentium based processor or Mac OS 8.0 or higher
Internet connection with a preferred minimum speed of 56K
Web browser: Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher or Netscape 4.7 or higher
Minimum RAM 64 MB

Who provides the program instruction?
The LSC-Tomball faculty, staff members, master teachers and other contracted instructors provide classes in a variety of relevant education topics.

What resources are available to help me pay for a teacher-training program?
Listed below are programs and grants that are specifically designed to help individuals become teachers. Click on the program for additional information.

Teach for Texas - Texas offers conditional grants to help some future teachers with expenses if those individuals agree to teach in Texas public schools for a specified period of time.

Certified Educational Aide Exemption Program - Texas offers tuition exemptions for some educational aides seeking to become certified teachers.

Teach for America - This program offers cash awards that can be applied to past student loans or future educational costs for recent college graduates who commit to teaching in urban and rural public schools for two years.

Troops to Teachers - This program offers guidance and support for military veterans who wish to make the transition from active duty into the teaching profession.

Other financial aid - The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board administers a variety of grants for attending college. You may also qualify for other financial aid, student loans, or scholarships. Contact the teacher-training program you wish to attend for additional information.

G.I. Bill Benefits- for test fees - The Texas Workforce Commission has approved SBEC under the provisions of Section 3689, Title 38, United States Code to allow veterans and other eligible persons to receive reimbursement for the cost of certification tests. This approval has been made effective, retroactively, as of March 1, 2001. The veteran or other eligible person must submit two forms to the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Regional Office, in Muskogee, OK. The two forms are: Application for Licensing and Certification Testing Fee Reimbursement (LACAS 1) and either the VA Form 22-1990- Application for VA Education Benefits (for Veterans) or VA Form 22-5490- Application for Survivor's and Dependents Educational Assistance. For additional information or to obtain these forms, contact the Texas Workforce Commission Veterans Education office at 512-463-3215 or at http://www.gibill.va.gov/.

G.I. Bill Benefits- for preparation program costs/fees - Veterans Education Benefits (GI Bill) can be used for both university and alternative teacher certification programs.

The program must request and receive approval from the Texas Workforce Commission Veterans Affairs Office in order for veterans to receive benefits while participating in a certification program. Once approved, the program will assign a staff person to process the required forms to request VA funding. The amount of money paid to eligible veterans will vary, depending on the type of GI Bill that they have and the type of program in which they are participating. If veterans have remaining GI Bill eligibility, they should ask the program director or university VA office for details on applying for benefits. See the attachment for additional information. For additional information see http://www.tea.state.tx.us/sboe/schedule/2001/sbec227att1.html

Will the program require much of a time commitment?

Yes, the Alternative Teacher Certification Program is an intense, high quality program. In addition to the pre-service training, interns will be expected to attend, on the average, at least 12 - 18 hours of training each month during the school year. The program is designed for highly committed candidates who are able to excel in an intense, fast-paced training environment.

Still have questions?
Please contact 281.401.1839. Due to the volume of interest, it is difficult to answer individual inquiries, please attend an information session.