- Harris County Department of Education
- Teacher Certification
Educator Certification and Advancement
What is Teacher Certification?
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What is Teacher Certification?
Harris County Department of Education provides the highest quality instruction and support for educators enrolled in our teacher alternative certification program.Coursework sessions are conducted in classroom and blended settings with instructors who are content and pedagogy experts. Teacher candidates also spend time observing practicing classroom teachers in partnership schools before their paid internship begins.
Throughout the program, candidates are actively involved with the subject matter content and are provided a mentor at their campus. During the critical one-year internship period, candidates are supported by experienced field supervisors who assist them in content knowledge and instructional skills, leading to increased student achievement.
CURRENTLY RECRUITING FOR 2020-2021 ACADEMIC YEAR
Spring 2021 Cohort
Regular Deadline to Apply: January 22, 2021Program Start Date: February 9, 2021
Contact Us:
Email: HCDEACP@hcde-texas.org
On Twitter @HCDETeachNow
Facebook /HCDEECA
Teacher Program Process, Fees, and Payment
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Areas of Certification
Core Subjects EC-6
Bilingual Core Subjects EC-6
ESL Core Subjects EC-6
Special Education EC-12
English Language Arts & Reading 4-8Mathematics 4-8
Science 4-8
English Language Arts & Reading 7-12Mathematics 7-12
Science 7-12
Life Science 7-12
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Teacher Admissions Minimum Prerequisites
Minimum Prerequisites
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution
If degree is from another country
TOEFL Internet Based Test (minimum scores of 24 in speaking; 22 in listening and reading; and 21 in writing)
Candidates who complete an additional bachelor's degree or higher in U.S. are exempt from TOEFL requirement
An overall GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, or 2.75 GPA in the last 60 hours of coursework, and core content GPA of 2.75
a special consideration may be granted to overall/last 60 hours GPA in the 2.50 to 2.74 range with the director's approval
Coursework requirements:
Core Subjects EC-6/Bilingual Core Subjects EC-6/ESL Core Subjects EC-6/Special Ed. EC-12 – 24 hours of college credit in the core content subjects of math, English, science, and social studies (psychology and sociology do not count)
Secondary single subject – 24 hours of college credit in the content certification area being sought
Science 7-12 composite – 36 hours of college credit in specific categories of Life Science, Physical Science, Chemistry, and Earth/Space
TSI – applicants with a conferred Bachelor’s degree meet the TSI (Texas Success Initiative) exemption; applicants in their last semester of graduating with a Bachelor’s degree or with a degree from another country will need to show evidence of mastery of basic skills
Clear criminal background check
Proof of English Language Proficiency shown by:
Earned college degree in the U.S., or
Successfully complete interview in English -
Step 1: Application Process
Step 1: Application Phase
$100 Non-refundable Transcript Review Fee
Application for Enrollment
Transcripts – Submission of all official (sealed) college transcripts
If degree from another country – must be reviewed by TEA-approved Foreign Credential Evaluation Services provider
Two (2) letters of recommendation from professional sources, i.e., employers, supervisors, teachers, professors, or school administrators
Resume
PACT Scores (if applicable) - Beginning January 27, 2020, applicants will be able to take a new series of Pre-Admission Content Testing (PACT) exams. Learn more about these new PACT exams.
Effective January 27, 2020 the following program admission policy is in effect:
Elementary certificate (EC-6) applicants with admission GPA of 2.75 or higher are required to pass a single-attempt, program-selected local assessment to determine content mastery. Those who do not pass this assessment will need to take and pass a new PACT exam
Elementary certificate (EC-6) applicants with admission GPA below 2.75 are required take and pass a new PACT exam
Secondary certificates (4-8 or 7-12) applicants with admission GPA of 2.75 or higher are required to pass a single-attempt, program-selected local assessment to determine content mastery. Those who do not pass this assessment will need to take and pass a new PACT exam
Secondary certificates (4-8 or 7-12) applicants with admission GPA below 2.75 are required take and pass a new PACT examList of PACT exams effective January 27, 2020
NOTE: Above PACT requirements DO NOT apply to applicants who already passed an appropriate TExES content exam prior to January 27, 2020
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Step 2: Interview Phase
Step 2: Interview Phase - virtual format during COVID-19
Interview in English
Bilingual certification applicants will also be interviewed in Spanish
Teach a 10 minute interactive lesson
Complete writing sample
Complete Criminal Background Check form -
Step 3: Issuance of Admissions Letter or DNQ Letter
Step 3: Issuance of Admissions Letter or DNQ Letter
Letter of Admission will be issued electronically to applicants who meet all the admissions criteria in Step 1 and Step 2.
DNQ (Does Not Qualify) Letter will be issued electronically to applicants who do not qualify due to deficiencies in either Step 1 and/or Step 2. -
About Our Grants
Name: EFs4ELs (Educators and Families for English Learners) Grant in partnership with the Ohio State University.
Funder: U.S. Department of Education, Transition to Teaching Program
Years: 2018-2021
Purpose: Provide pre-service and in-service teachers in high needs school districts with professional learning to improve instruction for English learners.
Recruitment:
Cohort 1: 20 pre-service teachers (recruited in spring 2018)
Cohort 2: 20 pre-service teachers (recruited in spring 2019)
Cohort 3: 20 pre-service teachers (recruited in spring 2020)
Cohort 4: 20 pre-service teachers (recruited in spring 2021)Eligibility: Be accepted into the HCDE Teacher Certification Program
Seeking a bilingual or English as a second language (ESL) certification – either as an initial certification or an additional certificationBenefits: $1,000 credit towards ACP program fee, Additional professional development for working with English language learners, Preparation for TExES ESL Supplemental or Bilingual Supplemental exams
Commitments:
• Remain in good standing in HCDE’s Teacher Alternative Certification Program;
• Complete additional professional development courses for working with English Language learners through HCDE and The Ohio State University;
• Complete either ESL test preparation classes, or Bilingual Supplemental and BTLPT test preparation classes;
• Pass either the English as a Second Language exam, or Bilingual Supplemental and BTLPT exams;
• Complete one year of teaching as a teacher-of-record in an accredited school approved by HCDE Teacher Alternative Certification Program to fulfill state internship requirement; and
• Successfully complete HCDE Teacher Alternative Certification program and be recommended for Standard Certificate by program director.Note: Details related to the EFs4ELs Grant are fully described in the contract agreement; all participants are required to sign upon admission to the grant.
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Teacher Program Fees
2020-2021 Teacher Program Costs
Cost Description
Live in
Harris County
(discount)Live outside
Harris CountyTranscript Review Fee (due with Application)
$100
$100
Pre-service Phase - Payment #1 (due at Orientation)
$650
$715
Pre-service Phase -Payment #2 (due 30 days after Orientation)
$650
$715
Internship Phase - Fee (paid in 10 equal monthly installments, Sept. - June)
$3,475
$3,822
Total Program Cost
$4,875
$5,352
Other External Costs Associated with the Teacher Certification Process*
TEA Technology Fee
$35
Texas Intern/Probationary Certificate
$78
Fingerprinting Fee (approximately)
$49
Fee for each required TExES exam
$116
Teacher standard certificate
$78
*Costs subject to change
Program payments can be made by check, money order or credit card via our Online Secure Payment System.
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Make a Payment
Why HCDE?
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Job Placement Assistance in securing teaching assignment
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Instruction and Support Personal attention, small group instruction from education content experts, and ongoing mentorship before, during and after certification
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Reputation At HCDE we are dedicated to serving educators since 1889
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Convenience Coursework in evenings, weekends, face-to-face and online
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Cost Competitive pricing with installment payments
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Savings Grant opportunities and veteran's discount
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Track Record TExES PPR EC-12 exam average pass rate of 99% for the past 7 years