Internship - Teaching to Learn
- An intern is the teacher of record with full pay and benefits.
- An intern teaches on a probationary certificate (a real certificate). It is probationary in the sense that it is only valid for one year.
- An intern is fully responsible for student learning.
- Requirements before internship are described below:
- Content area test must be passed
- Training must be completed
- Observation hours must be completed
- Requirements during internship are described below:
- Obtaining a probationary certificate through TEA
- Minimum of 180 days
- 5 observations (3 first semester - 2 second semester)
- 300 hours of continuing professional education (50 provided by district and 250 provided by ACT)
- Completion of PPR exam and all internship requirements OR must pay additional $1250 to be approved for an extension of the probationary certificate
Another option - Clinical Teaching (unpaid) - Teaching to Learn
- Requirements before clinical teaching are described below:
- Same as internship
- Pass PPR exam
- Requirements during clinical teaching are described below:
- All certification exams complete
- 12 weeks full-time clinical teaching and 2 - 3 weeks pre-clinical teaching.
- 4 observations by ACT staff.
- 6 Clinical Development Sessions
- Completion of all test and clinical teaching requirements.
How to Apply for a Probationary Certificate
- Go to http://www.tea.state.tx.us
- Click on SBEC Online for Educators
- Click on New User? Create a New Account
- Enter information and click Search
- Complete Educator Profile Setup and click Continue
- Create User Name and Password and click Continue. WRITE DOWN YOUR USER NAME AND PASSWORD, YOU WILL NEED IT LATER!!
- From menu on the left of screen, click Applications
- Click on Probationary Certificate
- Click on Apply for Certification
- Answer the yes / no questions. Where it says "I request to be recommended by this Entity", select - ACT Rio Grande Valley (Alternative Program) from the drop-down menu. Under "subject applying for" type in the certification area that is on your approval letter from ACT that matches what you were hired to teach
- Click Apply - you are done!
You will have two options for submitting fingerprints; the FAST Pass which uses Live Scan technology (our recommendation) or the traditional fingerprint cards. If you select the FAST Pass, you will be sent an e-mail with directions on how to make an appointment. It will also have a number that you will need. If you select the fingerprint cards, one will be mailed to you with instructions.