The Educator Preparation and Certification Program (Ed Prep)

The Educator Preparation and Certification program (Ed Prep), also known as Alternative Certification Program, was established in 1984 by the 68th Legislature in House Bill 72.  The State Board of Education was directed to provide for the certification of individuals who met specific requirements and completed an internship in a public school or a Texas Education Agency approved private school.  The program was originally implemented to fill shortages in critical need areas and to provide an alternative route into the teaching profession for qualified individuals wishing to make a career change.  Since the first program was approved and implemented in 1985, the alternative route to certification has attracted increasing numbers of professional to the teaching ranks.

The ESC 2, Educator Preparation and Certification Program is a rigorous, field-based program, which integrates theory with practical, effective teaching strategies and provides an alternative certification route for individuals with a bachelor's degree.  Applicants must demonstrate college level skills in the area of reading, written and oral communications, critical thinking and mathematics.  In addition to meeting the application requirements, participants must also pass an interview process..  Upon completion of a summer pre-service training and a commitment to on-going training during the school year, participants are eligible during the 2009-2010 school year (the internship year).  An intern will receive approximately 315 contact hours of training (an equivalent of 21 semester hours), participate in projects, be required to demonstrate mastery of teaching skills via products and obtain a full-time teaching assignment.   After a successful year of teaching, passing the  state mandated tests, a recommendation from the hiring district for certification and a recommendation from the ESC 2, the intern may be certified.

For the 2009-2010 school year, ESC 2’s Ed Prep will offer programs leading to certification in: Special Education, grades EC-12, Elementary Generalist, grades EC-4 or grades 4-8 and certification in specific content areas,  grades 4-8 or 8-12.