Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-3-2-.18

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 290-3-2-.18 - Degree Equivalent Technical Education Certificate Approach

(1)Overview. An individual may seek a Degree Equivalent Technical Education Certificate for Grades 6-12 in selected technical education program areas. The specific technical education program areas are identified by the Office of Career and Technical Education of the Department. These certificates are Career and Technical Certificates.

(2)Bachelor's Equivalent Technical Education 1 Certificate.

(a)Application.

1. The applicant is required to submit to the superintendent the current application for this approach and documentation of having met all requirements as prescribed in Rule 290-3-2-.18 and on the application.

2. The superintendent who wishes to employ the applicant or wishes for the applicant, who is an employee of a business or governmental agency with which a partnership has been established, to teach in the technical education program area for which a certificate is sought is required to submit to the Educator Certification Section:

(i) A recommendation requesting issuance of the Bachelor's Equivalent Technical Education 1 Certificate in a technical education program area.

(ii) The applicant's current application and documentation of having met all requirements.

(b)Requirements.

1. Successful completion of the Alabama Special Requirements in Rule 290-3-2-.02(4).

2. Verification of a currently valid passing score on the Department-approved ENTRY or MASTER level occupational proficiency assessment (test score, license, or credential) for the technical education program area for which the certificate is sought. Information on the approved occupational proficiency assessments can be obtained from the Office of Career and Technical Education of the Department. Successful completion must be obtained prior to the date the application is received in the Educator Certification Section.

3. Verification of current passing scores for the basic skills assessments. This requirement does not apply to an applicant who holds at least a bachelor's degree from a senior institution that was regionally accredited at the time the degree was earned or to an applicant holding a valid Specialty Area Certificate, a valid Degree Equivalent Certificate, a valid Professional Educator Certificate, or a valid Professional Leadership Certificate. This requirement may be met through one

(1) of the following three (3) options:

(i) Passing scores on the CTE Basic Skills Assessment, approved by the State Board of Education on June 13, 2019, administered through ACT WorkKeys. The required assessments are Applied Math, Business Writing, and Workplace Documents. Passing scores must be attained prior to the date the application is received in the Educator Certification Section. Passing scores attained prior to July 1, 2019, will not be accepted.

(ii) Passing scores on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) basic skills assessments, the current basic skills assessment of the Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program (AECAP). The required assessments are Mathematics, Reading, and Writing. Passing scores must have been attained prior to July 1, 2019.

(iii) Passing scores on the modified ACT WorkKeys assessments, the previous basic skills assessment of the AECAP. The required assessments were Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information, and Writing. Passing scores must have been attained prior to September 1, 2017. This option is only available for applications received prior to September 1, 2022.

4. Education and work experience through one of the following three options:

(i)Option 1.

(I) Verification on an official transcript(s) of graduation from high school or high school equivalency or a technical certificate or an associate's degree from a regionally accredited postsecondary institution prior to the date the application is received in the Educator Certification Section.

(II) Verification of having attained, within the seven years immediately prior to the date the application is received in the Educator Certification Section, a minimum of 5,400 clock hours (three years) of acceptable part-time or full-time work experience in the technical education program area for which the certificate is sought as prescribed in Rule 290-3-2-.18(9).

(ii)Option 2.

(I) Verification on an official transcript(s) of an earned bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited senior institution. The degree must have been earned prior to the date the application is received in the Educator Certification Section.

(II) Verification of having attained, within the five years immediately prior to the date the application is received in the Educator Certification Section, a minimum of 3,600 clock hours (two years) of acceptable part-time or full-time work experience in the technical education program area for which the certificate is sought as prescribed in Rule 290-3-2-.18(9).

(iii)Option 3. Verification of having attained, prior to the date the application is received in the Educator Certification Section, a minimum of 18,000 clock hours (ten years) of acceptable part-time or full-time work experience in the technical education program area for which the certificate is sought as prescribed in 290-3-2-.18(9).

(3)Bachelor's Equivalent Technical Education 2 Certificate.

(a)Application. The applicant is required to submit to the Educator Certification Section the current application for this approach and documentation of having met all requirements as prescribed in Rule 290-3-2-.18 and on the application.

(b)Requirements. All requirements must be successfully completed prior to the date the application is received in the Educator Certification Section.

1. Successful completion of the Alabama Special Requirements in Rule 290-3-2-.02(4).

2. A valid, or completion of all requirements in (2) above for issuance of a valid, Bachelor's Equivalent Technical Education 1 Certificate in the technical education program area for which the Bachelor's Equivalent Technical Education 2 Certificate is sought.

3. Verification of a currently valid passing score on the Department-approved ENTRY or MASTER level occupational proficiency assessment (test score, license, or credential) for the technical education program area for which the certificate is sought. Information on the approved occupational proficiency assessments can be obtained from the Office of Career and Technical Education of the Department.

4. Verification, if the applicant does not hold a valid Professional Educator Certificate in a career and technical education teaching field, of successful completion of the Career and Technical Education Teacher Certification Program (CTE TCP) Level 1 by submission of one of the following:

(i) Department-approved professional development training history.

(ii) Certificate of completion.

(4)Master's Equivalent Technical Education 3 Certificate.

(b)Requirements. All requirements must be successfully completed prior to the date the application is received in the Educator Certification Section.

1. Successful completion of the Alabama Special Requirements in Rule 290-3-2-.02(4).

2. A valid, or completion of all requirements in (3) above for issuance of a valid, Bachelor's Equivalent Technical Education 2 Certificate in a technical education program area for which the Master's Equivalent Technical Education 3 Certificate is sought.

3. Verification of a currently valid passing score on the Department-approved MASTER level occupational proficiency assessment (test score, license, or credential) for the technical education program area for which the certificate is sought. Information on the MASTER level approved occupational proficiency assessments can be obtained from the Office of Career and Technical Education of the Department.

4. Completion of one of the following two options:

(i)Option 1. Verification on an official transcript(s) of earned credit, with a grade of "C" or above, for the two required courses and two of the elective courses listed below. These courses must be completed at an Alabama institution with a State-approved program in a career and technical education teaching field and within the five years (60 months) immediately prior to the date the application is received in the Educator Certification Section.

Courses	Courses
Classroom Management and CTE Lab*	Industrial Health and Shop Safety**
Meeting the Needs of Exceptional CTE Students*	Learning Resources and Technology in CTE**
Career and Technical Student Youth Organizations**	Teaching CTE**
Course Development and Evaluation in CTE**	Testing/Evaluation in CTE**
History and Principles of CTE**

*Required courses

**Elective courses from which two must be selected

(ii)Option 2.

(I) Verification of having attained a minimum of 12,600 clock hours (seven years) of acceptable part-time or full-time work experience in the technical education program area for which the certificate is sought as prescribed in Rule 290-3-2-.18(9).

(II) Verification of successful completion of the Career and Technical Education Teacher Certification Program (CTE TCP) Level 2 by submission of one of the following:

I. Department-approved professional development training history.

II. Certificate of completion.

(5)Master's Equivalent Technical Education 4 Certificate.

(b)Requirements. All requirements must be successfully completed prior to the date the application is received in the Educator Certification Section.

1. Successful completion of the Alabama Special Requirements in Rule 290-3-2-.02(4).

2. A valid, or completion of all requirements in (4) above for issuance of a valid, Master's Equivalent Technical Education 3 Certificate in a technical education program area for which the Master's Equivalent Technical Education 4 Certificate is sought.

4. Completion of one of the following options:

(i) Option 1. Verification of at least a valid Alabama Class B Professional Educator Certificate in a teaching field.

(ii)Option 2. Verification on an official transcript(s) of at least an earned bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited senior institution in the technical education program area, or in an area related to the technical education program area, for which the Master's Equivalent Technical Education 4 Certificate is sought. The Office of Career and Technical Education of the Department must approve the degree.

(6)Sixth-Year Equivalent Technical Education 5 Certificate.

(b)Requirements. All requirements must be successfully completed prior to the date the application is received in the Educator Certification Section.

1. Successful completion of the Alabama Special Requirements in Rule 290-3-2-.02(4).

2. A valid, or completion of all requirements in (5) above for issuance of a valid, Master's Equivalent Technical Education 4 Certificate in a technical education program area for which the Sixth-Year Equivalent Technical Education 5 Certificate is sought.

4. Completion of one of the following options:

(i)Option 1. Verification of at least a valid Alabama Class A Professional Educator Certificate in a teaching field or area of instructional support or a valid Alabama Class A Professional Leadership Certificate.

(ii)Option 2. Verification on an official transcript(s) of at least an earned master's degree from a regionally accredited senior institution in the technical education program area, or in an area related to the technical education program area, for which the Sixth-Year Equivalent Technical Education 5 Certificate is sought. The Office of Career and Technical Education of the Department must approve the degree.

(7)Professional Educator Certification. Individuals holding at least a valid Master's Degree Equivalent Technical Education 4 Certificate in a technical education program area may be eligible for a Professional Educator Certificate. Additional information may be found in Rule 290-3-2-.19.

(8)Adding Other Technical Education Program Areas. An applicant who holds at least a valid Bachelor's Equivalent Technical Education 2 Certificate in a technical education program area may add additional program areas.

(b)Requirements. All requirements must be successfully completed prior to the date the application is received in the Educator Certification Section.

1. Verification of two full scholastic years of full-time classroom teaching experience within a P-12 setting. Partial years cannot be combined to meet this requirement. Experience must be verified on Supplement EXP.

2. Verification of a passing score on the appropriate Department-approved occupational proficiency assessment (test score, license, or credential) in the area of the technical education program area to be added. Information on the approved occupational proficiency assessments can be obtained from the Office of Career and Technical Education of the Department.

(c)Degree Equivalent Technical Education Certificate to be issued.

1. If the applicant's occupational proficiency assessment is less than the MASTER level, the new technical education program area will be added to the applicant's valid Bachelor's Equivalent Technical Education 2 Certificate. If the applicant does not hold a valid Bachelor's Equivalent Technical Education 2 Certificate, the applicant will be issued a Bachelor's Equivalent Technical Education 2 Certificate in the new technical education program area.

2. If the applicant's occupational proficiency assessment is at the MASTER level, the new technical education program area will be added to the applicant's valid Bachelor's Equivalent Technical Education 2 Certificate if it is the only valid Degree Equivalent Technical Education Certificate held by the applicant.

3. If the applicant's occupational proficiency assessment is at the MASTER level, the new technical education program area will be added to the applicant's highest valid Degree Equivalent Technical Education Certificate above the Bachelor's Equivalent Technical 2 Certificate.

(9)Acceptable Work Experience. Acceptable full-time or part-time work experience must have been attained through one or more of the following:

(a) Work experience in business and industry as an employee in a compensated position in the technical education program area for which the certificate is sought. The work experience must be verified with submission of:

1. Supplement CTV; and

2. A notarized cover letter verifying the applicant's prior work experience. The cover letter must be on the employer's business/company stationery and must include at least a description of the nature of the business/company, a brief description of the scope and quality of the applicant's work history, and the original signature of the employer or owner of the business/company.

(b)Self-employment in business and industry in the technical education program area for which the certificate is sought. The self-employment experience must be verified with submission of:

1. Supplement CTV; and

2. A notarized cover letter on company stationery, a copy of each business license held during the verification period, and notarized letters from three individuals and/or companies with which business or work transactions occurred during the verification period.

(c)Teaching experience at the postsecondary level in the technical education program area, or in an area related to the technical education program area, for which the certificate is sought. The postsecondary institution must have been regionally accredited at the time the experience was earned. The teaching experience must be verified on Supplement EXP.

(d) The following cannot be used as acceptable part-time or full-time work experience:

1. Teaching experience in grades P-12 while holding any valid Alabama certificate.

2. Teaching experience in grades P-12 while not holding any valid Alabama certificate.

(10)Type Career and Technical Certificates.

(a) Type II and III Career and Technical Certificates in technical education and/or in a technical education program area were converted to Bachelor's Equivalent Technical Education 2 Certificates on May 1, 2016.

(b) Type I Career and Technical Certificates in technical education were issued on the basis of the Rules in effect prior to July 1, 1997. Prior to January 1, 2008, at the request of the certificate holder, a valid Type I Career and Technical Certificate was converted to the appropriate Level 3, 4, or 5 Career and Technical Certificate as determined by the Office of Career and Technical Education of the Department. Type I Career and Technical Certificates in technical education cannot be renewed. An individual holding an expired Type I Career and Technical Certificate in technical education who is seeking a current Career and Technical Certificate in a technical education program area must meet requirements for the Bachelor's Equivalent Technical Education 1 Certificate in a technical education program area as a prerequisite to subsequent Degree Equivalent Certificates in a technical education program area.

(11)Level Career and Technical Certificates.

(a) An applicant holding a valid Level 2, 3, 4, or 5 Career and Technical Certificate in technical education and/or a technical education program area with a valid period ending on or prior to June 30, 2015, could apply for conversion of the Level Certificate to the appropriate Specialty Area 2, 3, 4, or 5 Career and Technical Certificate in technical education and/or a technical education program area.

(b) Expired Level 2, 3, 4, and 5 Career and Technical Certificates in technical education and/or a technical education program area may be reinstated as the appropriate Degree Equivalent Technical Education Certificate. Renewal requirements are prescribed in Rule 290-3-2-.29.

(c) The Level 1 Career and Technical Certificate in technical education was a nonrenewable certificate and cannot be continued or reinstated. An applicant holding an expired Level 1 Career and Technical Certificate in technical education who is seeking a current Career and Technical Certificate in a technical education program area must meet requirements for the Bachelor's Equivalent Technical Education Certificate 1 in a technical education program area as a prerequisite to subsequent Degree Equivalent Technical Education Certificates in a technical education program area.

(12)Specialty Area Career and Technical Certificates.

(a) Specialty Area 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 Career and Technical Certificates in technical education and/or a technical education program area were converted to the appropriate Degree Equivalent Certificate on May 1, 2016.

(b) Expired Specialty Area 2, 3, 4, and 5 Career and Technical Certificates in technical education and/or a technical education program area may be reinstated as the appropriate Degree Equivalent Technical Education Certificate. Renewal requirements are prescribed in Rule 290-3-2-.29.

(13)Name of Certificate, Degree Equivalency, Valid Period, and Renewability.

Name of Certificate	Degree Equivalency	Valid Period	Renewable
Bachelor's Equivalent 1	Bachelor's	Minimum of 2 years ^a	No
Bachelor's Equivalent 2	Bachelor's	Minimum of 5 years ^c	Yes
Master's Equivalent 3	Master's	Minimum of 5 years ^c	Yes
Master's Equivalent 4	Master's	Minimum of 5 years ^c	Yes
Sixth-Year Equivalent 5	Sixth-Year	Minimum of 5 years ^c	Yes
Specialty Area 1	Bachelor's	Minimum of 2 years ^a	No
Specialty Area 2	Bachelor's	Minimum of 5 years ^{b, c}	Yes
Specialty Area 3	Master's	Minimum of 5 years ^c	Yes
Specialty Area 4	Master's	Minimum of 5 years ^c	Yes
Specialty Area 5	Sixth-year	Minimum of 5 years ^c	Yes
Level 1	Bachelor's	3 years	No
Level 2 ^d	Bachelor's	5 years	Yes
Level 3 ^d	Master's	5 years	Yes
Level 4 ^d	Master's	5 years	Yes
Level 5 ^d	Sixth-year	5 years	Yes
Type I ^e	Master's	10 years	No
Type II ^c^{, f}	Bachelor's	Minimum of 5 years	Yes
Type III ^c^{, f}	Bachelor's	Minimum of 5 years	Yes

^aBachelor's Equivalent 1 and Specialty Area 1 Certificates are/were valid from the date of issuance through the remainder of the same scholastic year, and thereafter, for the next two consecutive scholastic years.

^bSpecialty Area 2 Certificates issued prior to August 1, 2012, were valid for five years and nonrenewable. Effective August 1, 2012, the Specialty Area 2 Certificate could be continued or reinstated.

^cThese Career and Technical Certificates are valid from the date of issuance through the remainder of the same scholastic year, and thereafter, for the next five consecutive scholastic years.

^dThe Level Certificates were initially issued on the basis of Rules in effect prior to September 2008. These certificates were converted to the appropriate Specialty Area Certificate. Expired Level 2, 3, 4, or 5 Certificates may be reinstated as the appropriate Degree Equivalent Certificate.

^eType I Certificates were initially issued on the basis of Rules in effect prior to July 1, 1997. These certificates were converted to the appropriate Level Certificate. As prescribed in Rule 290-3-2-.18(10) (e), expired Type I Certificates cannot be reinstated.

^fType II and III Certificates were initially issued on the basis of Rules in effect prior to July 1, 1997. These certificates may be continued or reinstated as a Bachelor's Equivalent Technical Education 2 Certificate.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-3-2-.18

Adopted by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIV, Issue No. 06, March 31, 2016, eff. 4/24/2016.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVIII, Issue No. 11, August 31, 2020, eff. 10/15/2020.

Author: Dr. Eric G. Mackey

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, Ala. Const. Amend. 284, §§ 16-3-11, 16-23-1, 16-23-2.