ESC REGION 12 LOOKING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH A BACHELOR’S DEGREE
FOR ALTERNATIVE TEACHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

WACO, TEXAS—The Region 12 Teacher Preparation and Certification Program (TPCP) is currently accepting applications. The alternative certification program provides an opportunity to individuals with a bachelor’s degree to obtain a Texas teaching certificate, even if they do not have a degree in education. In addition, individuals who have a degree in education, but do not have teaching certification in Texas, may obtain a valid Texas certification through the program.
The program is offered in Nolanville and Waco with class cycles begin Sept. 1 and Feb. 1, 2010. Participants will attend three evening classes during the week and two scheduled Saturdays. Upon completion of three months of instruction, participants can intern with local school districts for the following school year.
The program offers certification training in elementary education (early childhood through grade six), intermediate education (grades four through eight), secondary composite science, secondary composite social studies, secondary content areas, generic special education, elementary and intermediate bilingual education, and English as a Second Language (ESL) education.

A $75 non-refundable application fee is required to establish eligibility for entering the program. Qualifications for each specialization area vary, but all participants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a grade-point average of 2.5 or above cumulative or in the last 60 semester hours of college coursework and a 2.5 GPA in the coursework required for the targeted area of certification, or by passing the PACT test (http://texes.ets.org/epp/epppact) prior to acceptance in the program.  Further, a minimum score of 230 in math, 250 in reading, and 220 in the writing sections of the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) is also required, or Texas State - Initiative (TSI) exempt or completed.  Applications for Teacher Certification may be submitted to the Nolanville or the Waco office.  
For more information or directions to ESC Region 12 offices, call 254.297.1191 in Waco or 254.698.2243 in Nolanville, or visit www.esc12.net/teacherprep.

About Region 12 TPCP
The purpose of the Region 12 TPCP is to help individuals make the most of their education and share it with others through the fulfilling field of education. The program offers certification in many areas and is fully accredited by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification. Classes are taught by master practitioners and training is offered in two Central Texas locations.

About ESC Region 12
One of 20 centers throughout Texas, the Education Service Center (ESC) Region 12 provides professional training and technical assistance for the purpose of improving student performance for all students.  Based in Waco, with offices in Corsicana, Hamilton, Hillsboro, Nolanville and Teague, the ESC Region 12’s service area includes Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Freestone, Hamilton, Hill, Lampasas, Limestone, Mills, McLennan and Navarro counties.

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