A nonprofit organization is holding informational meetings across the state to recruit for its accelerated teacher certification program.
In 2008, the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence gained approval by the state senate to expedite the certification process for people wanting to transition into education statewide.
Programs offered by the American Board give the trainee access to an online course that will prepare them for a test to gain their certification in their chosen field of study. The program is designed to be done over a year while the person is working, but it can be completed in as little as eight months.
“As long as candidates have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in any subject area and a 2.5 grade point average and can pass a background check, they can go through our online program and become fully certified in under a year,” Missouri Director for American Board Kimberly Polk said.
Missouri School Boards Association Spokesman Brent Ghan said this program has helped rural areas that have difficulties attracting traditionally certified teachers. There is a need in these areas, most commonly for teachers certified in the math and science fields.
“It does provide another option under certain circumstances when a district is in a situation where they need to hire a teacher in a certain area and they simply can’t find a teacher certified in the traditional way,” Ghan said.
Results in districts that use American Board certified teachers have been mixed according to Ghan.
“Some have done well and have been well qualified to teach. Some have not worked out as well as school districts have hoped for. So, it’s a bit of a mixed bag,” Ghan said. “It’s not a substitute for traditional teacher certification.”
The American Board is hosting informational meetings in Knob Noster June 4, Sedalia June 23 and Columbia July 14. For more information visit http://abcte.org/#.
