I N F O R M A T I O N K I T
Become a
Become a Teacher . . . .3
About ABCTE . . . .4
How it Works . . . .5
How You’ll Prepare . . . .6
Frequently Asked Questions . . . .8
Sample Exam Questions . . . .9
TABLE OF CONTENTS
“ABCTE allowed me
the option to
have another career
.”
— CLARK SARGE
ABCTE Teacher, Pennsylvania
A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a degree in mechanical engineering, Clark Sarge dedicated his time and talents to the U.S. Navy for more than ten years. He changed careers to become a teacher and is now teaching 9–12th grade mathematics at Hughesville High School in Hughesville, PA.
“ABCTE’s process was not only accommodating, but it was also a great way to prepare me for the classroom,” stated Sarge.
“I love being a teacher,” said Sarge. “Interacting with the students and watching them grow, learn and grasp new concepts is an amazing and indescribable joy of my job. ABCTE allowed me the option to have another career and I look forward to helping my students find their paths in life.”
Become a
Teacher
America faces a critical need for new teachers. Millions of children aren’t getting the education they deserve.
You can change careers and become a teacher with ABCTE’s certification program.
Why ABCTE?
Affordable:
Going back to college and even pursuing other teacher preparation programs can cost tens of thousands of dollars. ABCTE’s program costs under a thousand dollars.Convenient:
You don’t have to quit your current job or take additional college courses to earn your certification.Flexible:
We offer customized study plans that fit your needs. Our self-paced online program gives you up to a year to prepare.Selective:
ABCTE is a rigorous teacher preparation program that ensures you are ready for the classroom. More than 95% of the principals who have hired ABCTE-certified teachers say those teachers are as effective, or more effective, than other educators.“The ABCTE program is a great
option for professionals who are
interested in becoming teachers.
The State Department of Education
will work with ABCTE to help
Idahoans become certified and
follow their dreams of educating
Idaho’s children.”
— TOM LUNA
Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction
“The ABCTE program is designed
to meet the needs of working
professionals while upholding
high standards for what new
teachers must know to increase
student achievement. We are
proud to welcome the program
as a new route to state
certification.”
— HANK BOUNDS
Mississippi Superintendent of Public Instruction
4
About ABCTE
Founded in 2001, the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) recruits, prepares, certifies and supports dedicated individuals to improve student achievement through quality teaching. ABCTE is a non-profit organization.
Your program fees have been subsidized by grants from the U.S. Department of Education.
With a commitment to teacher quality and student achievement, research demonstrates that ABCTE’s certification program is an effective predictor of teacher performance in the classroom.
ABCTE’s program is an approved route to teacher certification in nine states:
www.abcte.org ❋ American Boardfor Certification of Teacher Excellence ❋ 1-877-669-2228
! Florida ! Idaho ! Mississippi ! Missouri ! New Hampshire ! Oklahoma ! Pennsylvania ! South Carolina ! Utah
5
“Colleges cannot turn out the
teachers fast enough. We need a
more creative, innovative way.
ABCTE provides a solution.”
— T. WILLARD FAIR
Florida State Board of Education Chairman
How it Works
Here’s what you’ll need to have a classroom of your own:
1. Hold a bachelor’s degree in any subject area from an approved college or university.
2. Pass the ABCTE Professional Teaching Knowledge exam. 3. Pass the ABCTE subject area exam (in the subject you select). 4. Pass a background check.
You can earn certification in: ■ Elementary Education (K-6) ■ Special Education (K-12) ■ English Language Arts (6-12) ■ Mathematics (6-12) ■ General Science (6-12) ■ Biology (6-12) ■ Chemistry (6-12) ■ Physics (6-12) ■ U.S. History (6-12) ■ World History (6-12)
ABCTE also offers a Reading Professional Certificate/Endorsement program.
For a detailed description of topics covered on each exam, visit www.abcte.org/exams
Please note that certification areas vary by state. Visit www.abcte.org/teach for more information about your state.
www.abcte.org ❋ American Boardfor Certification of Teacher Excellence ❋ 1-877-669-2228
How You’ll Prepare
We will help you complete your certification program and prepare you for your teaching career.
Your program includes:
! Self-Assessment: Identify your strengths and weaknesses.
! Advisor: ABCTE will assign you an expert advisor to guide you through
the process.
! Study plan: Your advisor will design a customized study plan based
on your needs.
! Prepare to Teach workshops:
Online workshops to help you prepare for the classroom. ! New Teacher Hotline: Free access
to podcasts where you can get advice from teaching experts at www.newteacherhotline.com ! Online Forums: Connect with other
teachers in the ABCTE community.
! Orientation: Get started with an online orientation to the program at
www.abcte.org/orientation
! Exam administration at testing center
! Background check
! Official program certificate
NOW INCLUDED WITH YOUR PROGRAM
Practice Exams
We offer Practice Exams for your subject area and Professional Teaching Knowledge. The Practice Exams simulate the real exam experience and include: ! More than 300 sample questions
! Full-length tests ! Topic quizzes
! Timed and untimed modes
! Practice in the same format as the real test ! Complete explanation of the answers
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Online Refresher CoursesDon’t remember logarithms? Can’t remember iambic pentameter? We offer online refresher courses in our most popular subject areas. Our refresher courses will help you review the topics where you need the most help. These comprehensive courses include:
! More than 300 pages of content listed by topic ! Detailed lessons
! Video demonstrations ! Unlimited access for one year
ADDITIONAL STUDY MATERIALS
The ABC’s of Reading
Reading is the fundamental building block for all students. All teachers must know how to teach reading effectively. Based on the recommendations of the National Reading Panel, we offer the ABC’s of Reading CD-ROM and booklet which include: ! 6 reading instruction workshops ! Lesson plans
! In-class reading activities ! Video demonstrations ! New teacher workbook
OTHER RESOURCES
! Instructional web sites
! Online journals and periodicals ! Books and recommended reading lists
Learn more about ABCTE preparation materials—and find links to hundreds of other free resources—online at www.abcte.org
“ABCTE advisors have an exciting
role—helping our candidates achieve
their dreams of teaching.”
— ANGIE HEAD
“Going through the regular channels,
it would’ve taken me three or four
extra years. ABCTE let me get into
the classroom a lot sooner.”
— UDO LUTES
ABCTE Teacher, Emmett, Idaho
Sample Exam Questions
10
Notes
“Teaching is one of the most
rewarding careers. I wanted
to be teaching within a
year. My certificate was
treated the same as that of
any other starting teacher
and I received a full
salary.”
— ERROL FORSMAN
ABCTE Teacher, Hillsborough County, Florida
Have more questions? Ready to enroll?
Call us at 1-877-669-2228 or e-mail us at [email protected]
YES!
Please have a representative contact me about
becoming a teacher with ABCTE.
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