Centers, Resources, and Programs
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Career Transition Certification Program
A Program to Prepare Mid-Career Professionals for Teaching Areas of Certification: Math, Sciences, Art K-12, Music K-12, Special Education
In 1998 the Career Transition Certification Program was created to address critical need teacher shortages in the St. Louis Public Schools. Initial teacher shortage areas included math, science and technology. Art and music were added in 2000. Beginning Fall 2003 the program expanded to include preparation in special education. This program is designed to prepare mid-career professionals for teacher certification and is jointly sponsored by the St. Louis Public Schools, the Parsons Blewett Memorial Fund, the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The two-year, immersion model program is experience-driven and standards-based. Successful completion of the program leads to Missouri certification. The program involves approximately 27-33 credit hours, half at a graduate level. Students can complete an M. Ed. by taking an additional 5 to 6 courses.
Experienced teachers are trained to coach and support these new teachers during their first year. Now in its 11th year, the CTCP has a participant retention rate of 80% with over 200 graduates teaching in the St. Louis Public Schools. This compares to national retention rates of 40% - 50% for urban teachers.
Minimum Application Requirements: (link to application below)
- A bachelors degree in a certification area, with a minimum G.P.A. of 2.5 (this includes all undergraduate and graduate work).
- Special education certification requires a bachelors degree in human service areas such as social work, psychology, and criminology AND experience with children and youth.
- Three current letters of recommendation
- Three sets of official transcripts from all higher education institutions
- Clear criminal record
- U.S. citizenship or appropriate green card for foreign nationals
- 5 year commitment to SLPS
Through an application and screening and a series of interviews with university and district leaders, the program identifies applicants who possess qualities known to be important to success in teaching in urban classrooms. The qualities sought in participants include creativity and flexibility, a passion to teach, the ability to be a self-directed learner and work well with others, resiliency, commitment to social justice, deep content knowledge, and experience with children and youth.
Career Transition Certification Program Certification Options:
- Mathematics, grades 5-9, 9-12,
- Science, grades 5-9
- Unified Science: Biology, grades 9-12
- Unified Science: Chemistry, grades 9-12
- Unified Science: Physics, grades 9-12
- Art, grades K-12
- Music: Vocal, grades K-12
- Special Education, grades K-12
Program Components:
The two-year program on a DESE provisional teacher certificate is conducted using a cohort model. Teachers participate together in courses, seminars, common readings and professional development experiences. Teachers preparing for general education and special education certification will participate together in core courses ensuring preparation across a diverse range of learners. Learning is connected to the on-going work of teachers in their classrooms for "practice to theory to practice". CTCP teachers write reflections to document that they have met the indicators for the Missouri Teaching Standards. Participants engage in on-going reflection on their practice using Danielson's Framework for Teaching to assess their progress. To qualify for final certification, CTCP teachers must pass the PRAXIS exam in their certification area.
Support for new teachers includes the following:
- Trained Teacher Coach from the district is selected by each teacher
- A Seminar Leader meets bi-weekly in the content area
- The Cohort members support one another
- University instructors provide direction.
- Tuition
Program Description: The two-year program is designed to provide the skills, knowledge and dispositions/beliefs necessary to achieve excellence in teaching and advocacy for children and youth. CTCP teacher-leaders will help students improve their performance on the Missouri Achievement Test . Using a cohort organization, the CTCP provides a standards-based, reflective practice, performance oriented immersion model of preparation for participants. Tuition is reimbursed by Parsons Blewett Memorial Fund for successful course completion and employment.
Length of Certification Program: 2 years including two summers
Special Conditions of Program: Participants sign a commitment to remain in the St. Louis Public School district for a minimum of three years beyond the duration of the program or tuition must be returned to Parsons Blewett.
Application process: Formal application including transcripts are due by TBA.
CTCP office contact: (314) 516-6557
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