The BESST program cycle is unique in that it is comprised of interns from a mixture of different certification areas in one cohort.  Click on the checklist next to the certificate name to view its respective requirements. You will need Adobe Reader to open the following documents in .pdf format. Certification options include:

• Elementary Education (early childhood - grade 4) checklist

• Elementary Bilingual (early childhood - grade 4) checklist

• Generic Special Education (early childhood - grade 12) checklist

• Middle-level certificates (grades 4 - 8)
  • Generalist checklist
  • Mathematics checklist
  • Science checklist
  • Social Studies checklist
  • English Language Arts & Reading checklist
  • English Language Arts & Reading/Social Studies checklist
  • Mathematics/Science checklist

• Secondary-level certificates (grades 8 - 12)
  • Single Content Area (Art, Foreign Languages, History, Music, Theater Arts) checklist
  • English Language Arts & Reading checklist
  • Life Science checklist
  • Mathematics checklist
  • Physical Science checklist
  • Science checklist
  • Social Studies checklist

Region XIII Educator Certification Program is also approved for 8-12 music, art, theater arts, speech and technical applications offers these occasionally, depending on the job market.

All requirements listed for a certification area must be met by August 1st or referral to program will not be accepted.


Critical Shortage Areas
The critical shortage areas identified by the Commissioner of Education for the 2007-2008 school year are:

• Special Education (Grades EC-12)
• Foreign Languages (Grades 8-12)
• Bilingual Elementary (Grades EC-4)
• Science (Grades 4-8 & 8-12)
• Mathematics (Grades 4-8 & 8-12)