Alternative Teacher Certification Programs in Louisiana
According to the U.S. Department of Education, the state of Louisiana has been experiencing teacher shortages in almost all subjects and at all grade levels for more than 10 years. In particular, teachers are needed for the arts, early childhood, elementary education, English, foreign languages, math, science, social studies, and special education. Louisiana currently employs over 55,000 teachers, and approximately 10 percent of these teachers entered the profession through one of Louisiana’s several alternate certification programs according to data available at the National Center for Alternative Certification. These programs include the Certification-Only Program Alternative Path to Certification, the Master’s Degree Program, the Non-Master’s/Certification-Only Program, and the Practitioner Teacher Program. These programs are offered at both public and private universities all over the state, including Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Lafayette.
If you have a gift for working with those with special needs, you may want to consider the Practitioner Teacher Program. This program began as a pilot in the 2001-2002 school year and was fully implemented in the summer of 2002. This program covers all grades from elementary school up through high school, and specifically trains teachers of special education students. Since 2001, more than 1,100 educators have completed this program and gone on to teach in underserved school districts within New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Additionally, a 2008 study found that PTP teachers were equally effective or more effective than teachers who obtained certification through the traditional process.
If your interests are more general, you can enter the Non-Master’s/Certification-Only Program as long as you’ve earned a minimum grade point average of 2.20 in your bachelor’s program and have passing scores on the basic state skills test and subject area specific test. This program requires only 27 hours in coursework in addition to six hours of student-teaching assignments or internships.
Top Online Schools for Teachers In Louisiana
Finding the means to be licensed for Louisiana teaching jobs has
become less rigorous with the help of officials from the state
education department. Furthermore, there’s a network of schools
and seasoned professionals that are dedicated to helping you achieve your teaching goals.
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University is home to a set number of online degree
programs through their College of Human Science and Education.
Those that are interested will also find that the program is the third
largest in terms of faculty and students within the university.
Grand Canyon University Online
The online programs at Grand Canyon University are structured
to be of use to potential education students who need some
flexibility as they get a teaching degree. One may also
find value in the extended community outreach programs at GCU.
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
The Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development offers
aspiring teachers online certification through an unique program.
There is also a flat tuition rate available for online students as well.
Learning Outcomes for Alternative Certification Programs in Louisiana
The learning outcomes for alternative teacher certification programs in Louisiana are designed to create effective teachers that use research and experience to drive their careers. In addition, conquering these learning outcomes can prepare you for the Praxis teaching exam, which is required for certification in Louisiana. Louisiana teaching students should learn how to properly use media and technology in the classroom. This includes using them for assessment, teaching, and professional development. You must also learn how to develop thorough, age-appropriate lesson plans and curricula that reflect the standards of your school and the needs of your many students. As part of your Louisiana teaching certification program, you may also learn different assessment strategies to help you examine your students’ progress.
It’s very important for Louisiana’s teachers to be capable of teaching all types of students. As a result, your program will likely expect you to develop a range of teaching strategies that you can adapt to suit students of different genders, ethnicities, learning styles, and disabilities. You should also be able to look at your teaching and accurately assess your performance. Throughout the course of your program, you may learn self-assessment skills that can help you constantly improve your teaching style. Another common learning outcome involves learning how to create a positive classroom environment that fosters learning, mutual respect, and communication.
