Teacher Certification
Course Catalog
L O U I S I A N A
1 0 0 % O n l i n e
Syllabus
This teacher preparation coursework is designed to prepare an individual who is highly qualified in a content area, under the No Child Left Behind Act, to be an effective classroom teacher. Through the distance learning coursework developed by iteachLOUISIANA you, the teacher Candidate, will obtain knowledge on a broad array of topics ranging from human development, to educational pedagogy, to classroom management, to special needs students. The vision of the coursework is for you to study and understand various aspects of the teaching discipline and translate this knowledge into actual classroom practice. This knowledge will empower you to adapt teaching practices to maximize individual student learning.
Timeline
Once accepted into the program, you have two full school years in which to complete all certification requirements, including the Field Experience.
Admission Requirements
All candidates must meet state requirements of an undergraduate degree, minimum GPA, demonstration of Basic Skills, Praxis content-specific area examination (Praxis II), and successful completion of intruVIEW after application.
Field Experience
Obtain a paid position as the Teacher of Record position for two semesters under a Practitioner License (PL2). During your Internship you will receive full pay and benefits.
Program Fees
10% of the total program cost is paid up front with 90% of the cost deferred until you have secured a teaching position. You only start paying your balance once you are successfully hired by a school. Your interest free balance is paid in equal monthly installments throughout your two semesters of teaching.
Certification Areas
A list of state approved content areas and specific requirements and the subjects that can be taught by the specific certification.
iteachLOUISIANA Teacher
Certification Course Catalog
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10
6
12
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1/2 the cost of a State University (Non-Masters Certification Only)
> State Universities can require up to 22 hours / 10 classes
> No need to quit your job to attend summer classes
Program Overview
iteachLOUISIANA is a private alternative teacher certification program based on distance learning that recommends successful candidates for the Level 1 Professional License in LOUISIANA.
As it is your desire to obtain a LOUISIANA Level 1 Professional License, below is a visual diagram of how to progress through the iteachLOUISIANA program.
Successful completion of the iteachLOUISIANA program includes:
a) Successfully complete and fulfill all requirements of the Instructional Coursework with completion of the seven instructional courses, EDTC 5000- EDTC 5600, within six months of enrolling into the program and;
b) Obtain a Field Experience placement in an identified content area within two school years.
c) Once a Field Experience placement is obtained, the Praxis III test must be passed by the end of the Field Experience placement.
Apply Online degree transcript(s)Send in conferred Pass Praxis Exam(s)
Official transcript(s) must be received prior to evaluation. program acceptance Submit Personal Payment Plan Information Sign Letter of
Agreement and pay the $400 access fee
Enrolled into instructional course work Individuals have 6 months to complete course work
Take and Pass PLT Obtain teacher of
record position
A successful field experience must be completed
Complete program requirements
Receive Plan of Study
Within 3-5 business days of receiving all required documentation
Syllabus
Course Description Overview
This teacher preparation coursework is designed to prepare an individual who is highly qualified in a content area, under the No Child Left Behind Act, to be an effective classroom teacher. Through the distance learning coursework developed by iteachLOUISIANA you, the teacher Candidate, will obtain knowledge on a broad array of topics ranging from human development, to educational pedagogy, to classroom management, to special needs students. The vision of the coursework is for you to study and understand various aspects of the teaching discipline and translate this knowledge into actual classroom practice. This knowledge will empower you to adapt teaching practices to maximize individual student learning.
Requirements
You must have access to a personal computer that has Microsoft Word. Many schools and public libraries have Internet filters in place that will not allow the viewing of downloads from the Internet. Additionally, it is your responsibility to frequently review the program announcements on the instructNET platform.
Web-based Instruction
> Instruction on your time schedule
> Direct online interaction
with instructor
Courses
>
EDTC 5000 - Overview of The Road to Certification>
EDTC 5100 - First Year Teaching and Best Practice>
EDTC 5200 - Educational Pedagogy and Stages of Learning>
EDTC 5300 - Planning Instruction and Assessment>
EDTC 5400 - Best Practice and Classroom Environment>
EDTC 5500 - Literacy for All>
EDTC 5600 - Special Education/Multiculturalism/ DiversityReview
>
EDTC 5800 - Comprehensive ReviewField Experience Courses
>
EDTC 5700 Field Experience – The Classroom Teaching Experience>
Content Specific CoursePace
While the iteachLOUISIANA coursework is self-paced, the introductory course, ETDC 5000, and the six instructional courses, EDTC 5100-EDTC 5600, are designed to
be completed within a six-month time span. You are progressed no faster than one instructional course per 10
days. Each of the instructional courses is equivalent to a three-hour course. Access to the Comprehensive Review course, which is not included in the six month timeline, will not be granted until competency in the initial content certification area is demonstrated by passing the content certification test and a Field Experience position has been secured or the instructional fee is paid in full.
Course Objectives
While each course has its own objective(s) for the teacher candidate, the following overall objectives of the course material ensure that each candidate possesses the identified teacher dispositions:
• Instill belief that all students can learn based upon the stages of human development
• Develop respect for individual differences to ensure a democratic classroom environment
• Foster commitment to inquiry, self reflection and assessment
• Promote intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm about learning based upon the importance of literacy • Examine openness to new ideas in behavioral
management
• Value positive interactions
• Perform all practices responsibly and ethically
Teaching is the profession
that teaches all the
other professions
“
Observational Videos
A library of observational videos is available to our Candidates throughout enrollment in the iteachLOUISIANA program. You may search these videos by content specific, grade specific, and topic specific criteria. To supplement the actual teaching of the topics, each video has research based articles, specific questions and a reflection prompt. You may use these videos to fulfill the required field experience observation hours.
Assignments
Each iteachLOUISIANA online course contains required assignments that will appear in various forms, such as research, reflection, essay and even completion of school and state procedures. Every candidate in our
program holds at least a bachelor’s degree, and several hold Master’s and Doctoral degrees. It is vital to the successful completion of this program that all work be of the caliber required for graduate level coursework. Any assignment not meeting the program’s high standards will be returned.
Many of the course Instructors are also classroom teachers. While they work diligently to grade your assignments, they do not work 24 hours a day.
Assignments will be graded within three to four business days. Once the requirements for a specific course are complete, you will be advanced to the next course at the appropriate time. While you wait to be advanced, please spend some time reflecting and conducting individual research on each course.
Observational Videos
Grading
All assignments will be graded on a 1, 2, 3 scale. The rubric for the grading scale is as follows:
1 Unacceptable
2 Acceptable
3 Target
Candidate does not model correct language usage.
(1) Pervasive written communication errors are present
(2) Thoughts were poorly organized
Candidate models effective written communication skills
(1) A few written communication errors may be present but they do not interfere with meaning (2) Thoughts were organized
Candidate models excellent written communication skills
(1) No written communication errors (2) Thoughts presented in a well
organized, detailed manner Candidate rarely and inappropriately or
superficially demonstrates knowledge of assignment material
Candidate did not fulfill the required elements for the assignment
Candidate usually and adequately demonstrates knowledge of assignment material
Candidate consistently and
thoroughly demonstrates knowledge mastery of assignment material
Examinations
In addition to graded assignments, computer-graded assessments are administered throughout each course. Successful completion of each assessment must be accomplished with a grade of 75 or higher, prior to being recommended for certification..
Feedback
An instructor will monitor your participation in each iteachLOUISIANA course. The course instructor will be a Master Teacher who will not only read and evaluate your assignments, but also provide prompt feedback should you have a question regarding the course curriculum.
Text Resources
There are two books that are considered a must for all new teachers. The first book is, How to Be an Effective Teacher:
The First Days of School by Harry K. Wong and Rosemary
T. Wong. This book is the compilation of a myriad of ideas and techniques that have been shared with the Wongs by multiple educators, and it can be purchased in paperback at your local bookstore. Similar to an automobile owner’s manual, this book is a quick read, and it allows you to turn to the right section to solve a problem. You must take a little time and read this delightful, informative book before beginning EDTC 5400.
The second book is, Assertive Discipline: Positive Behavior
Management for Today’s Classroom by Lee Canter. Any
edition is acceptable. As stated in this book, “The whole purpose of keeping behavior problems in the classroom to a minimum is to create for students an environment conducive to creativity and learning.” This book can help you have such a classroom..
If your background in reading and literacy is limited, you are encouraged to purchase a book on this subject to increase your knowledge. Either of the following books would be an excellent selection:
Teaching Children to Read, From Basals to Books D. Ray Reutzel and Robert B. Cooter, Jr.
Children’s Literature in the Elementary School Charlotte S. Huack, Susan Helpler, Janet Hickman It is recommended that you begin building your personal library of educational resources. Therefore, at appropriate times in the courses, various books and resources that are considered worthy of purchase will be recommended. Additionally, many articles will be provided via Internet links.
Accommodations
If you have a disability for which you require
Timeline
Continuous Enrollment
>
No arbitrary deadline
for enrollment
>
Upon acceptance, immediate
enrollment in instructional
coursework
Once accepted into the program, you have two full school years in which to complete all certification requirements, including the Field Experience.
Once you obtain a Field Experience position, you must complete all program requirements by the end of the Field Experience. The following timeline provides an overview of how an individual progresses through the teacher certification program. (This is an ideal scenario and may not hold true for each candidate depending on individual circumstances.):
1
Submit a completed application packet
• Application — completed online. • Official transcript of conferred degree — mailed to: iteachLOUISIANA P.O. Box 1626 Denton, Texas 76202 • Via Script Safe to [email protected]. • $50.00 — paid by credit card after completion of online application – this is a non-refundable fee. • Applications will be retained for six months. If
a completed packet is not submitted within six months, the application will be destroyed. • Applicants will receive access to instructional
platform to track application status.
• Complete intruVIEW, the online screening interview, which is located on the instructNET platform.
2
Evaluation
• Receive notification of program status via e-mail. • Upon acceptance, gain online access to the Letter of
Agreement (LOA).
• Completed packets will be retained for six months. If the Letter of Agreement is not acknowledged and/ or the non-refundable access fee of $400 is not paid within six months, the packet will be destroyed.
3
Program Acceptance
• Within a week from the time the Letter of Agreement is acknowledged, the non-refundable access fee of $400 is paid and Personal Payment Authorization form is received, a candidate receives:
• Official Letter of Acceptance
• Access to the instructional courses — six-month time frame for completion will begin on this date. • Prescriptive Plan of Study (POS) — This form is
provided to school districts for verification of eligibility for Field Experience.
4
Instructional Courses
• Access to the instruction is given once the Letter of Agreement and non-refundable access fee of $400 is received. The six month timeline will begin on the date access to EDTC 5000 is given.
• The introductory course, EDTC 5000, and the six instructional courses, EDTC 5100 – EDTC 5600, are self-paced, although progress is required during a six-month time frame..
• You are permitted to progress from one course to the next course at a rate no faster than one course per 10 days.
• If you do not complete the final instructional course, EDTC 5600, within six months from being enrolled EDTC 5000, you may request permission to be reenrolled in the courses for a three-month period with the payment of the renewal access fee.
5
Certification Test(s)
• To be eligible for hire the appropriate Praxis II must be passed.
• The Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching test (Praxis III) must be passed for recommendation of the Level 1 Professional License
6
Field Experience
• You may begin securing a Field Experience position as soon as you are accepted into the iteachLOUISIANA program and complete the first two courses
(EDTC5000 and EDTC5100).
• Once you obtain a Field Experience, you must
complete all of the program requirements by the end of the Field Experience placement.
• You are enrolled in Field Experience – The Classroom Teaching Experience.
• If hired, you are recommended for a Practitioner License (PL2). You cannot be recommended for a Practitioner License until you have demonstrated content mastery either through college hours or testing.
• You are assigned a Field Supervisor. • A Personal Payment Plan is implemented.
7
Recommended for Certification
You are recommended for a Level 1 Professional License after successfully fulfilling the following program requirements:
• Complete the instructional courses. • Pass the required certification tests.
• Complete the Field Experience with recommendation from Field Supervisor and campus Administrator. • Submit required reflections in Field Experience – The
Classroom Teaching Experience • Pay all program fees.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education as required by LOUISIANA Education Agency and the LOUISIANA Administration Code
• You may view all accredited institutions in the United States on the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) website.
• You may also view a listing of some, but not all, non-accredited colleges and universities that would not be accepted by iteachLOUISIANA.
Minimum 2.50 grade point average, which will be determined in one of the following ways
• Minimum 2.50 GPA (your undergraduate GPA as posted on conferred degree transcript), or • Minimum 2.50 GPA in last 60 hours
• Your graduating GPA must be calculated and posted by the university on your official transcripts. If your transcript does not reflect a graduation GPA, you will need to contact your college’s Registrar office to have a letter typed on University letterhead that includes your GPA sent in with your official transcripts.
Admissions Requirements
>
You must meet requirements for a certification area in addition
to meeting the basic admissions requirements.
>
You must have a personal e-mail account and access to a
personal (not school) computer.
Pass Praxis Pre-Professional Skills Test (Praxis I - PPST): • Candidates can be exempt from this test if they have one of the following: • A graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution • A score of 22 on the ACT • A combined verbal/critical Reading and Math score of 1030 on the SAT
Pass the Praxis content-specific subject area examination: • Candidates for PK-3 (regular education ) -- Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (#0014) • Candidates for Grades 1-5 – Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (#0014) • Candidates of Grades 4-8 – Pass the middle school subject specific examination for content area(s) to be certified.
• Candidates of Grades 6-12 -- Pass the secondary subject-specific examination for content area(s) to be certified. If no examination has been adopted in the certification area, candidates must present a minimum of 31 semester hours of coursework specific to the content area.
• Candidates for All Level K-12 areas of art, dance, foreign language, health, physical education, and music -- Pass the subject specific examination for content area(s) to be certified. If no examination has been adopted in the certification area, candidates must present a minimum of 31 semester hours of coursework specific to the content area.
Close Relationships with School Districts
>
Job placements may be obtained in any school district or
LOUISIANA Education Agency (LEA) recognized private school
>
Districts can search our database to find teachers
>
Customized instructional coursework for school districts
Field Experiece
It is the mission of the iteachLOUISIANA program to meet the needs of individuals who have a desire to become highly effective teachers, while also meeting the needs of school districts to obtain highly qualified teachers.
Standard Certification in Six Months
>
Receive your Standard Certificate in half the time of other
certification programs by taking advantage of our Clinical
Teaching option. After only one semester, you could be
issued your Standard Teaching Certificate.
Internship
You will complete a one-year (two semester) paid
internship during which time you are employed full time as a teacher in your content field. In this position, you receive the salary and benefits of a first-year teacher. A long-term substitute position or Teacher Vacancy Position does not fulfill this requirement.
You must secure your own Internship position through the district application/interview process. Currently, there is not a shortage of PK-3 teachers. Since it is most difficult to obtain a PK-3 teaching position, we encourage you to be flexible and open to additional content areas, such as the 4-8 single subject areas. Also, in today’s market, you must make yourself as marketable as possible. Additional certifications can rank you above other new hires when Administrators are deciding between two or more teachers. Prior to interviewing, you are required to complete 80 hours of instruction (EDTC5000 and EDTC5100).
Once you obtain an Internship, you will be enrolled in the Field Experience course, Field Experience: The
Classroom Teaching Experience. This course provides
detailed information for the newly hired teacher. You will be required to submit self-reflections and classroom reflections during your Internship.
Supervision During Field Experience
During the Field Experience period you will be assigned a Field Supervisor who will make periodic classroom visits and work closely with the campus administration to ensure a successful teaching experience for you. Also, by state mandate, each school district must provide an on-campus mentor for the beginning classroom teacher. Often the first-year intern is expected to pay the school district for the mentor teacher, typically via a personal payment plan. As costs and arrangements may vary from district to district, we recommend asking your hiring school district for its policy for mentor teachers.
Extensive Classroom Support
>
Experienced Field Supervisors
Total Cost of Program
. . . .$4,500.00
(All program fees are non-refundable)
This is the anticipated cost for a candidate who completes all iteachLOUISIANA program requirements according to the program timeline. The total cost is broken down into the following fees:
Application Fee . . . .$50.00 Program Access Fee (10% down) . . . $400.00 • Due prior to receiving the Plan of Study
• Due prior to beginning online instruction
Online Course Instruction Participation . . . $2,800.00
• You are responsible for this fee of $400 associated with each instructional course in which enrolled • The fee may be paid as courses are completed, or the
fee may be deferred until you begin Field Experience Field Experience Fee . . . $1,250.00
Payment Options
You have the following options for your interest free payment of fees:
• Sign a Personal Payment Plan indicating payments that will be made monthly, over the duration of the Field Experience, once the Field Experience begins. Monthly payments are made directly to iteachLOUISIANA.
• Pay for the instruction as you are participating in the course work and then pay for Field Experience while in the Field Experience.
• Payment Plans are paid through credit cards, debit cards or e-checks that you establish with iteachLOUISIANA.
• Partial upfront fees toward your balance can be paid at anytime
Examinations Fees Payable to Education Testing Services Praxis (cost per examination) . . . $140.00 You must pass at least two certification tests (content area and PPR) prior to being recommended to the state for certification.
Instructional Renewal . . . $300.00 If you do not complete the six instructional courses within the six-month time frame, you must pay another Access Renewal fee. If continuation is approved, you will be given three months to complete your coursework. Extension Fee . . . $500.00 If you do not complete the program requirements by the end of your Field Experience, you must apply for a continuation. If the continuation is approved, you must pay an extension fee to be eligible to participate in the program.
Field Experience Renewal Fee . . . $2200.00 If you do not have a successful Field Experience, this fee allows for continued participation and second Field Experience under the supervision of iteachLOUISIANA.
Program Fees
iteachLOUISIANA offers teacher certification in the following content areas. The content test (Praxis II) in one of the following areas must be passed prior to acceptance into the iteachLOUISIANA program: (Test Code if applicable).
