LCSC announces teaching certificate program

The Lewis-Clark State College Teacher Education Division is starting a new program this fall, the first of its kind among Idaho post-secondary institutions, to help individuals already hired by school districts earn an elementary or secondary teaching certificate.

The program, called the Mastery-Based PACE Pathway to Alternative Certification, will help professionals who have work or other experience be able to obtain a teaching certificate.

The program will help school districts that are in need of qualified teachers in certain subject areas, and will help provide a pathway to certification that will save the qualified professional and school districts both time and money.

The alternative licensure program at LCSC was approved by the Idaho State Board of Education earlier this summer after a state program approval team found insufficient evidence that some programs offered by a national online organization adequately prepared professionals to teach in Idaho.

LCSC’s program will provide more hands-on work as well as more flexibility. The certification also can be obtained quicker than through other non-traditional routes.

LCSC’s new program will combine a strong mentoring program within the school district as well as an online class component for qualified individuals.

To qualify, an individual must either be employed or will be employed by a school district before they can apply to be in the program. This will help rural school districts who often have trouble finding qualified teachers for certain subjects.

The individual also must already have a bachelor’s degree in any subject and take the Praxis Exam, either for elementary teachers or in one of the 37 content areas in which the endorsement is being sought for secondary teachers.

Once these requirements are met, the school district, LCSC, and the individual will develop an individual learning plan that will include a strong mentoring component by the school district.

Lewis-Clark State College will offer 10-week class modules that individuals can take at their leisure. Individuals must pass the five modules in order to be certified.

LCSC will offer two modules starting on Sept. 1. Different modules will be offered on the first day of each month.

Informtion: Royal Toy, retoy@lcsc.edu or 208-792-2730