Photo: Susan Randolph (at front right) teaches biology through gardening at the Wayne School of Engineering.The North Carolina New Schools Project announces a new lateral entry teacher certification program for college graduates interested in becoming high school science, math and technology teachers. Administered by NCNSP, the non-traditional teacher education program is supported by the federal Transition to Teaching grant program, which seeks to recruit and retain highly qualified mid-career professionals and recent college graduates who are interested in obtaining a teacher license through an alternative route in a reduced period of time. This program has also been selected as a partner in 100 K in 10, a national multi-sector effort to increase the number of STEM teachers by 100,000 during the next 10 years.
Who can apply?
NCNSP STEP is a teacher preparation program designed for a very specific audience. To be eligible, applicants must have a four-year college degree (bachelor's degree) in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) related field and have an interest in becoming a teacher of STEM courses in a NC high school. Applicants who currently hold a teaching license are not eligible for the program. Application deadline was April 1, 2012 -- applicants will be notified by April 13.
How long will it take to complete the program?
The program is designed to be completed in 15 months and includes a 10-month school-based internship, concurrent participation in four online courses through the WIDE World at Harvard Graduate School of Education, and participation in aligned seminars through the North Carolina New Schools Project's Integrated System of School Supports.
Where will the program be conducted?
Initially, the teacher training programs will be conducted at the NCNSP Learning Laboratory demonstration high schools: Caldwell Early College in Hudson; Cross Creek Early College in Fayetteville; Hillside New Tech High School in Durham; and the Wayne School of Engineering in Goldsboro. In future years, training sites will include other innovative high schools in the NCNSP network.
What else does the program offer?
Selected teacher candidates will be placed in a host school nearest to where they reside. All tuition, training costs and materials will be paid in full. Candidates will receive a loaner iPad (or equivalent technology) for use throughout the course of the program, a $2500 stipend, placement assistance following program completion, and mentor support throughout the 15-month training.
Will the certification obtained through NCNSP STEP be honored by all NC high schools?
Yes. The lateral entry certification, as approved by the NC State Board of Education on Jan. 5, 201 will qualify program completers for positions in NC high schools. With regard to teaching positions out of state, whether or not the lateral entry certification is accepted is the prerogative of the hiring state.
What is the application process for STEP?
APPLICATION DEADLINE WAS APRIL 1 -- applicants will be notified by April 13. After completing the online application, candidates must submit transcripts and have references submit letters.
Once the most qualified applicants are identified, those individuals will be asked to participate in a half-day visit to one of the host schools. This visit will give the applicant an opportunity to observe classes, meet students and staff, ask questions, and experience the general culture of the school. If, following the visit, the candidate remains interested in pursuing a teaching license, the applicants will be interviewed by a host school team, and on-site interview activities conducted. Candidates' performance will then be analyzed and final candidates selected.
If selected as an NCNSP STEP teacher candidate, what are my obligations?
- Accept the position and sign the promissory note stating that upon completion of the program that you will serve three years as a teacher in an approved, high-need public high school in North Carolina, and that you will repay all tuition costs, stipends, fees, etc. in the event you do not complete the program and teach for three years in an approved, high-need school in North Carolina;
- Observe and "practice teach" 18 hours per week in an individually designed 10-month school-based internship at an NCNSP host school;
- Participate in and complete all requirements of the content-required on-line courses, aligned seminars and other activities as outlined in the approved NCNSP STEP program course of study; and
- During the internship, participate as a full member of the host school instructional team.
When will the first cohort of teacher candidates begin the program?
Selected teacher candidates will enroll in the first on-line course of the STEP Course of Study in May of 2012 and complete the program by August 2013.
What is the sequence of other activities during the 15-month STEP program?
May - Aug 2012: First on-line course
August 2012: NCNSP New Teacher Institute
Aug - Dec 2012: Fall semester internship in the host school; second online course; weekly seminars
Sept - Dec 2012: Three Secondary Lenses on Learning seminars
Nov 2012: NCNSP Common Practices Symposium
Jan - May 2013: Spring semester internship at host school; third online course; weekly seminars
Jan, Feb, March 2013: Three Secondary Lenses on Learning seminars
May - August 2013: Fourth online course
June 2013: NCNSP Summer Institute
July 2013: SEPUP training and finalize initial licensure requirements in the NCNSP STEP program
For more information, contact the program at ncnspstep@newschoolsproject.org.
