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Frequently Asked Questions During the internship, am I paid a salary? Yes, once accepted into the ECP, and hired by a school district, interns are paid a first-year teacher's salary. As with any employment, it is the employee's responsibility to inquire with the employing school district as to salary and benefits. Interns are considered a teacher of record and an employee of the school district. As such, interns are subject to all rules and responsibilities as outlined in local school board policy. Once interns earn their certification, the internship year counts as the first year of service. When will I begin receiving my salary? Teachers, in general, are paid on a monthly basis on the last working day of the month. First-year teachers typically receive their first paycheck at the end of September even though they may have begun working in August. Interns should be prepared for a lean first month. What kind of salary can I expect to earn? All school districts pay a minimum state base salary; many districts pay above state base. Please check with individual districts about their respective salary scales and benefit packages. How do I make application to the Transition to Teaching Cohort? The Region XIII ECP uses an online application process. You must have an e-mail address, and credit card or a bank routing number to submit an application. The application process can be initiated from the Apply page of the web site. Are there any technology requirements for program participation? Yes, the ECP integrates technology into the preparation program both for communication and course delivery. Some instruction is delivered via the Internet. All program participants must own or have daily access to a personal computer, printer and Internet connection. Minimum system requirements: • Personal computer with a minimum of a pentium based processor or Mac OS 8.0 or higher • Internet connection with a preferred minimum speed of 56K • Web browser: Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher or Netscape 7.0 or higher • Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0 plug-in or higher • Minimum RAM 64 MB • Prefer access to MSWord 2000 or higher Is there an application deadline? Yes, the online application must be completed no later than January 5, 2007. What do I do if my transcripts are from a foreign country? All foreign transcripts must have official
Once I complete the application process and meet the academic requirements, am I automatically enrolled in the program? Submitting an application begins the process of admission to the ECP. Applications and transcripts will be reviewed for eligibility. Additional requirements include: • An online interview • A review of all program application information All candidate information is reviewed and selections are made based on program capacity and strength of the candidate in relation to the pool of other applicants. If I do not have all the necessary coursework at this time, may I still submit an application and be considered for this program? Applicants may submit an online application; however, applicants will not be eligible for program admission unless all entry requirements are met by January 5, 2007. In some instances, candidates may be conditionally admitted in order to obtain the initial degree. A written letter of request for conditional admission must be submitted to the program office following the submission of the online application. Who provides the program instruction? The ECP faculty,
Is there financial aid available for this program? For the critical teacher shortage areas identified by the Commissioner of Education, four financial aid options exist: 1. We anticipate that we will have scholarship funds available to offset a portion of the program costs during the internship year. These scholarships will be limited to the critical teacher shortage areas identified by the Texas Education Agency. The exact amount of the scholarships will be determined at a later date but we estimate them to be in the range of $1500.00 - $2000.00. 2.College Access Loan Program. Available October 1, 2005 The College Access Loan Program provides alternative educational loans to Texas students who are unable to meet the cost of attendance. The CAL may be used to cover part or all of the student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC);students do not have to demonstrate financial need. This loan program is part of the Hinson-Hazlewood College Student Loan Program administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) More information. 4. The critical shortage areas identified by the Commissioner of Education for the 2005-2006 school year are:
We anticipate that these will be the same critical shortage areas for 2005-2006, however, the list is subject to change per the Texas Education Agency determination. WorkSource, through the Texas Workforce Commission, has scholarships available for displaced workers as well as need-based scholarships based on a sliding scale. To check your eligibility for these scholarships you may call the following offices or visit their website. WorkSource -
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Will the program require much of a time commitment? Yes, the Educator Certification Program is an intense, high quality program. In addition to the pre-service training (12-18 hours per week), interns will be expected to attend, on the average, at least 12 - 18 hours of training each month during the school year. The program is designed only for highly committed candidates who are able to excel in an intense, fast-paced training environment. When will I be notified if I am accepted into the program? Letters will go out to all applicants on January 19, 2007. What if I have to miss some classes? Attendance at all ECP class sessions is required. The ECP allows a maximum of two absences throughout the entire time in the program. When a participant misses a class session, he/she must make up the instruction in that session with similar instruction. It must be approved by the ECP specialist in advance of attending the make up session. Class attendance takes precedence over campus or district instructions, meetings, or activities. At the point in which the participant misses more than the two allotted absences, the staff advisory meets to discuss the absences and makes decision concerning continuation in the program. |
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