Calif Alternative Teaching Credential Program Helps with Teacher Shortage, Fills Gaps In Classrooms

A good education relies mostly on one thing: aInterns who complete Pipeline requirements
caring and knowledgeable teacher. Teacherreceive a teaching credential from the California
shortages are the norm these days throughoutCommission on Teacher Credentialing, which is
the nation and specifically in California, the mostrecognized in all California public schools and more
populated state in the union. Certain subjects --than 30 states that have interstate agreements
math, science and special education -- are in direto accept California teaching credentials.
need of quality teachers. State colleges andProject Pipeline interns have a full-time teaching
universities are coming around to alternativeassignment, earning a full-time salary. Most
teacher credentialing programs, to be sure, butparticipating school districts have a payment plan
there are also other credentialing options. One ofwhere monthly payroll deductions can be made to
these options, the Project Pipeline Teacherpay Pipeline tuition costs. The Pipeline Web site
Credential Program, has helped fill the gap intouts, "After 20 (30 for special education) equal
California's classrooms.monthly payments, tuition is paid in full without
Teachers-to-be come to Project Pipeline not tohaving to qualify for a loan or incur any interest.
become qualified in their subject of choice but toBooks and materials are included in the cost of
hone the art of teaching. Most incoming teachertuition."
interns, as they're called at the Pipeline, alreadyThe easy, timely shift of teacher interns into
have real-world experience and need to getclassrooms is what sets the Pipeline apart from
credentialed. "Teacher interns are career changersother credentialing programs. Project Pipeline
and hold advanced degrees," says Rex Fortune,works with local school districts to -- in some
executive director and founder of Project Pipeline.cases -- connect qualified interns to a school. Each
The Pipeline Program allows teacher interns toyear the Pipeline holds a teacher recruitment fair
become credentialed while they fill gaps in schoolswhere consortium districts come together and
that need them. Interns are teaching in theinterview teachers prescreened by the Pipeline.
classroom during the week and complete theirHowever, Project Pipeline is not a job placement
credential requirements after school and on theprogram; admission into the program is usually
weekends. "Like all alternative certificationsimultaneous with a successful job interview.
programs these candidates must meet stateProject Pipeline addresses a very specific need:
requirements," says Fortune. "We are notboosting the sparse pool of qualified teachers for
grabbing people off the street."local schools. But do the teacher interns stay in
The program is a nonprofit and is accredited andthe teaching field? "The people in alternative
supported by the California Commission oncertification programs tend to stay in teaching at
Teacher Credentialing. The Pipeline focuses ona higher rate than traditional methods," says
preparing teachers to be high school single-subjectFortune. "The candidates are competent in their
teachers as well as special education teachers. Asfield. They come to us to learn how to be a
of the 2007 academic year, special educationteacher."
teacher interns make up 110 of the 312 totalFast Fact:
interns at the Pipeline. "Attracting prepared andNearly half, 47 percent, of those entering teaching
experienced teachers is particularly difficult inthrough alternate routes say they would not have
special education, even for districts that do notbecome a teacher if an alternate route to
have staffing problems in other subject areas,"certification had not been available, according to a
according to California's teaching force 2006: Keysurvey of 2,647 respondents who entered
issues and Trends, from the Center for theteaching through alternative routes.
Future of Teaching and Learning.