Program Overview

The Region XIII Career and Technical Education Educator Certification Program (CTE-ECP) is a one-year program that provides a probationary (not an emergency) teaching certificate for the internship year.  This performance-based program provides intensive instruction during Orientation and throughout the internship year. 

The curriculum for CTE-ECP is aligned with the State Board for Educator Certification standards and educational Best Practices.  During the internship year, the teacher-intern is hired by a district as the teacher of record with full pay and full benefits.  Upon successful completion of the internship year (or student teaching option for Austin-area cohort applicants only) along with related program and state licensing requirements, participants earn a Standard teaching certificate specific to their CTE teaching assignment/area of study.

CTE-ECP was designed for those who already have education, work experience, and/or licensure/certification in their content area.  This program provides performance- and field-based teacher preparation and strategies for CTE program improvement.

Teacher-interns employed by schools within the Region XIII service area, as well as those from schools within a 100-mile radius of Austin, attend classes at the Region XIII Education Service Center in Austin.  Teacher-interns employed by schools within a defined area surrounding each of the distance learning sites attend classes via video teleconference at the site designated for that area. 

Training sessions

The Region XIII Career and Technical Education Educator Certification program (CTE-ECP) consists of the following:

Orientation/Pre-Service

Pre-service training sessions to help you prepare for the start of the school year.  
Option I - Video teleconference held at Distance sites only: 
June 23, 24, 25, and 26 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day)       

Option II – Face-to-face session held in Austin at Region XIII: 
August 5, 6, 7, and 8 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day)

Option III – Late-Hire Orientation is held in Austin and at all Distance sites: 
September 4, 5, 6 (9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day)
(Late-hire Orientation is available only to teachers hired after August 6)

In-service

Approximately 20 face-to-face sessions and 7 online modules from September to May to help you move toward becoming a competent and confident CTE teacher.

  • 14 weeknight sessions from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (approximately twice a month)
  • 6 Saturday sessions from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (3 in fall semester, 3 in spring semester)
  • 7 online topic-based modules spread throughout the year

Student Teaching Option

Austin-area cohort ONLY – Participants not hired prior to October 1, 2008, may apply for the student teaching option in order to continue their certification process.  Student teachers will be required to continue the course curriculum and will complete the 14-week student teaching experience in the Spring of 2009. 

Training topics include:

  • establishing a positive classroom environment
  • preparing for first days/weeks of school
  • managing student/classroom behavior
  • planning and creating developmentally appropriate instruction (curriculum and lesson plans)
  • delivering instruction
  • establishing/revitalizing CTE student organizations
  • preparing for formal classroom observations
  • increasing awareness and knowledge of CTE issues and initiatives
  • integrating CTE into campus/district
  • developing and using student assessments
  • understanding student diversity and instructional differentiation
  • marketing CTE courses/programs
  • developing partnerships and collaboration in CTE programs
  • exploring strategies to implement and manage work-based learning
  • using a variety of instructional strategies to increase rigor and relevance

Learn more about:

Texas Education Agency site for Career and Technology Education

Eteach Web Site: offers technological resources for teachers

Tech-Prep Texas: provides information about college preparation for technical careers

Role of Regional Education Service Centers in Texas

No Child Left Behind and Alternative Certification Programs, CTE