Top 8 Provisional Certificate Questions From Alternate Route Candidates
In order to obtain a standard teaching certificate in the State of New Jersey, new teachers must first complete the Provisional Teacher Process. Only after completing this process, can alternate route candidates apply to receive a standard certificate.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What is a provisional teaching certificate?
Provisional teaching certificates legalize the employment of alternate route teachers. Provisional teaching certificates are two-year certificates that school districts must request when employing alternate route teacher candidates.
How can I apply for a provisional teaching certificate?
Alternate route candidates are not responsible for submitting an application to receive a provisional teaching certificate. It’s your employing school district’s responsibility to apply for a provisional teaching certificate on your behalf.
What’s required of me before becoming a provisional teacher?
In order to receive a provisional teaching certificate, you must have first secured a full-time teaching position. You must have also already obtained a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) if pursuing through Alternate Route.
What’s required of me as a provisional teacher?
Alternate Route Provisional teachers are required to complete formal instruction with a state approved CE - Provider, receive mentoring and supervision, and undergo yearly evaluations. In addition, they must pass a performance assessment, which in New Jersey is the edTPA, in order to receive a standard certificate.
What are the mentoring requirements of the Provisional Teacher Process?
Provisional teachers must be mentored for a minimum of one year. This will be coordinated by either your school principal or a member of human resources. It’s your employer’s responsibility to track your mentoring time, however as a provisional teacher it’s your responsibility to pay the associated fees. Mentor fees are $1,000 for alternate route candidates holding Certificates of Eligibility.
What are the coursework requirements of the Provisional Teacher Process?
As a provisional teacher, you must continue to engage in alternate route program coursework. On average, completing the required 400-hours of coursework take up to two years. The Rutgers Alternate Route program requires in-class attendance during the first-year of teaching. In the second year, your coursework requirements are satisfied primarily through classroom experience with a special focus on the edTPA.
What are the evaluation requirements of the Provisional Teacher Process?
While working as a provisional teacher, you will be evaluated based on your hiring school district’s AchieveNJ instrument. Over a three year period, you must receive two effective or highly effective final end-of-year ratings from your school.
What comes after receiving a provisional certificate?
After completing your alternate route coursework, being mentored, receiving two effective or highly effective final summative ratings, and earning a passing score on the edTPA, you’re finally ready to graduate from a provisional certificate and apply online for your Standard Certificate. Online applications for requesting Standard Certificates are only valid for a period of six months. Submitting an application before completing all of the requirements isn’t advised.
Heather Ngoma has over 25 years of experience collaborating with educators across New Jersey to drive education innovation. She currently serves as the Director of the Rutgers-GSE Alternate Route Program in the Department of Learning and Teaching, a program which helps career changers, recent college graduates, and other aspiring education professionals become licensed teachers in New Jersey. Follow her on Twitter @heatherngoma.
