Alternative Certification Program

Region 17 is proud to partner with Region 4's INSPIRE Texas (www.inspiretexas.net) to offer a path for professionals to pursue certification in education. Several programs are offered online via INSPIRE Texas for individuals to obtain certification as a teacher, counselor, principal, or superintendent. Region 17 works as a facilitator for this highly recognized alternative certification program.  Our regional field supervisors are experienced and successful educators and administrators who guide interns and clinical teachers with supportive, professional, and meaningful feedback throughout the program.

The program is an alternative certification program designed for college graduates who meet criteria (bachelor's degree and 2.75 GPA) to obtain teacher certification through plans approved by the state of Texas and is considered an `alternative` route because it accomplishes certification outside of the traditional university program setting. The program consists of approximately one semester of training and the choice to participate in a one-year teaching internship or a fourteen-week clinical teaching experience. During an internship, the participant serves as a teacher of record with the role and responsibilities of any first year teacher, including a first year teacher`s salary. Clinical teaching consists of a fourteen-week, unpaid program in which the participant teaches in a classroom and is guided by a certified teacher and observed by a certified, experienced regional field supervisor. The Region 4 Inspire Texas teacher certification program is approved by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC). Program rules and requirements are subject to change at any time due to SBEC requirements.

After all program requirements are complete, including all training and the one-year internship or the fourteen-week clinical teaching experience, the intern or clinical teacher will be recommended to the state for a standard teaching certificate. For more information, go to: http://inspiretexas.net/teacher

Region 17 Education Service Center provides access to an online counselor certification program in partnership with Region 4 Education Service Center. The comprehensive training includes a 12-month supervised internship, and you will complete approximately 360 hours of counselor program training, which includes coursework, seminars, field experience, and active research.  All courses are instructor led and the practicum is conducted. The counselor certification program is approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). For more information, go to:   http://inspiretexas.net/counselor/why-become-a-counselor

Region 17 Education Service Center provides access to a principal certification program in partnership with Region 4 Education Service Center. This alternative certification program is designed for teachers who meet the criteria to obtain principal certification through plans approved by the state of Texas, and is considered an “alternative” route because it accomplishes certification outside the traditional university program setting. You should have a master’s or other advanced degree, a valid teacher’s certificate and a service record of at least two years’ experience, and leadership experiences before you apply. Cohorts begin every January, April, July and October.  The program consists of 200 clock hours in a 12 month online curriculum along with 160 hours of campus level practicum experiences. All courses are instructor led and the practicum is conducted under the supervision of a campus mentor and an assigned principal-certified field supervisor. Coursework and the internship can be conducted anywhere in the state of Texas. After all program requirements are complete, including all coursework, payment of fees, practicum hours and passing of the TExES Principal exam, the intern will be recommended to the state for a standard principal certification. 

 

Program rules and requirements are subject to change at any time due to SBEC requirements. For more information, go to: http://inspiretexas.net/principal/what-it-takes

Region 17 Education Service Center provides access to an online superintendent certification program in partnership with Region 4 Education Service Center. The superintendent certification program is approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).  The Superintendent Certification program begins every September and continues through August. During the program, several cohort meetings will take place in Houston. All courses are instructor led and the practicum is conducted under the supervision of a mentor and an assigned superintendentl-certified field supervisor. The internship can be conducted anywhere in the state of Texas. After all program requirements are complete, including all coursework, payment of fees, practicum hours and passing of the TExES Superintendent exam, the intern will be recommended to the state for a standard superintendent certification.  For more information, go to: