Statutes, codes, and regulations
Alabama Administrative Code
Title 290 - ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Chapter 290-3-3 - TEACHER EDUCATION - PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Section 290-3-3-.60 - Alternative Teacher Preparation Organizations (ATPO)

Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-3-3-.60

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Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024
Section 290-3-3-.60 - Alternative Teacher Preparation Organizations (ATPO)

In accordance with Act 2022-239 and Act 2023-451, the Alabama State Board of Education (ALSBE) modifies its policies relative to the certification of teachers who have completed an alternative teacher preparation pathway through an ALSBE-approved alternative teacher preparation organization. Enrollment in or completion of an approved pathway will permit the issuance of:

(1) an alternative certificate in an available teaching field and grade level to those qualified individuals who are enrolled in an approved pathway, and
(2) a Professional Educator Certificate in an available teaching field and grade level to those qualified individuals who successfully complete an approved pathway. Alabama colleges and universities may also participate in this alternative preparation pathway.
(1)Database of ALSBE Approved ATPOs. The State Superintendent of Education shall maintain a database of ALSBE approved ATPOs as a means for screening, recruiting, and recommending for certification qualified individuals to teach in the Alabama public K-12 schools.
(2)ATPO Requirements for Approval. To request ALSBE approval, the ATPO shall submit a complete application which must include all items in Option 1 or Option 2.
(a)Option 1.
1. Documentation of successful operation in at least five states and verification that the ATPO is not on probation or under investigation in any of those states. This requirement does not apply to Alabama colleges and universities with State-approved programs.
2. Documentation of successful operation of an alternative teacher education preparation pathway for at least 10 years. This requirement does not apply to Alabama colleges and universities with State-approved programs.
3. Documentation of successfully certifying at least 10,000 teachers in the United States. This requirement does not apply to Alabama colleges and universities with State-approved programs.
(b)Option 2. Documentation that the ATPO is approved by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
(3)Approval. ATPO applications shall be approved by the ALSBE prior to implementation.
(4)Available teaching Fields and Grade Level(s)

Grades K-12

Arabic

Latin

Chinese

Music/Choral

English for Speakers of Other Languages

Music/Instrumental

French

Russian

German

Spanish

Italian

Theatre

Japanese

Visual Arts

Korean

Grades 6-12

Agriscience Education

Family and Consumer Sciences Education

Algebra I

General Science

Biology

General Social Science

Business/Marketing Education

Geography

Career Technologies

Health Education

Chemistry

History

Collaborative Special

Education Teacher

Mathematics

Computer Science

Physical Education

English Language Arts

Physics

Grades 4-8

English Language Arts

General Science

General Social Science

Mathematics

Grades K-6

Collaborative Special

Education Teacher

Elementary Education

Grades P-3

Early Childhood Education

(5)Testing Requirements. Individuals seeking alternative or professional certification through an ALSBE-approved ATPO must successfully meet prescribed subject area, pedagogy, and Foundations of Reading assessments by meeting requirements in Option 1 or Option 2. The Foundations of Reading assessment is required for Grades 6-12 Collaborative Special Education Teacher, Grades K-6 Collaborative Special Education Teacher, Elementary Education, and Grades P-3 Early Childhood Education.
(a)Option 1. Pass the current Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program (AECAP) approved Praxis subject area, pedagogy assessment(s), and Foundations of Reading assessment for the appropriate teaching field and grade level(s).
(b)Option 2. Pass the subject area, pedagogy assessment(s), and Foundations of Reading assessment provided by or utilized by the ATPO. Prior to this being used as an option, the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE), must determine if the assessments are substantially aligned with Alabama standards. Any costs associated with this analysis are the responsibility of the alternative teacher preparation organization.
(6)Applicant Requirements for an Alternative Certificate.
(a) Successful criminal history background check by both the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation (ASBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the ALSDE.
(b) Verification of United States citizenship or lawful presence in the United States.
(c) Hold a bachelor's or higher degree from a senior institution that was regionally accredited at the time the degree was earned.
(d) Recommendation for an alternative certificate in the appropriate teaching field and grade level(s) by the employing Alabama county/city superintendent. The recommendation must include the classroom schedule verifying appropriate in-field placement, and participation in the Alabama Teacher Mentoring Program (ATMP).
(e) Verification from the ATPO of successful program admission/enrollment and a comprehensive outline of all required courses and modules for the appropriate teaching field and grade level(s).
(f) Verification of current passing scores on the approved subject area assessment(s) as outlined in Rule 290-3-3-.60(5).
(g) Up to three one-year alternative certificates based on this pathway may be held.
1. All alternative certificates under this pathway, must be held within four scholastic years from the July 1, beginning date of the first certificate.
2. An individual may not be employed for more than three scholastic years on the basis of holding an alternative certificate of any combination or any type.
(7)Applicant Requirements for the Professional Educator Certificate.
(a) Successful criminal history background check by both the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation (ASBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the ALSDE.
(b) Verification of United States citizenship or lawful presence in the United States.
(c) Hold a bachelor's or higher degree from a senior institution that was regionally accredited at the time the degree was earned.
(d) Recommended for a Professional Educator Certificate in the appropriate teaching field and grade level(s) by the ATPO. The recommendation must include verification of successful pathway completion and a comprehensive outline of all required courses and modules for the appropriate teaching field and grade level(s).
(e) Verification of current passing scores on the approved subject area and pedagogy assessment(s) as outlined in Rule 290-3-3-.60(5).
(8)Compliance with the United States Department of Education Regulations. This rule applies to Grades K-6 and 6-12 Collaborative Special Education Teacher. In addition to meeting pathway requirements, the ATPO must ensure:
1. The individual is provided with high-quality professional development that is sustained, intensive, and classroom-focused in order to have a positive and lasting impact on classroom instruction, before and while teaching.
2. The individual participates in a program with intensive supervision that consists of structured guidance.
3. The individual demonstrates satisfactory progress toward full certification.
(9)Progress Report. The approved organization shall annually submit a progress report detailing the number of individuals who completed the program during the year and verification of continued compliance with 290-3-3-.60(2).
(10)Termination and Reviews.
(a) The State Superintendent of Education reserves the right to require special reviews in response to the adoption of new laws standards, significant changes to existing standards, or evidence of contributing factors.
(b) The State Superintendent of Education reserves the right to rescind approval of an approved ATPO for noncompliance with this rule.
(11)General Information.
(a) The alternative certificate and the Professional Educator Certificate will be issued at the bachelor's degree level as all other alternative certificates.
(b) An individual who is issued a Professional Educator Certificate pursuant to this section may apply for certificate renewal and shall in all other respects be treated in the same manner as an individual who holds a Professional Educator Certificate granted upon successful completion of traditional, in-state teaching certification programs.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-3-3-.60

Adopted by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XLI, Issue No. 06, March 31, 2023, eff. 5/15/2023.
Adopted by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XLII, Issue No. 02, November 30, 2023, eff. 1/14/2024.

Author: Dr. Eric G. Mackey

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 16-3-16, 16-23-14, Act 2022-239