Teacher Certification

McKinney ISD strives to employ the most qualified applicant; therefore, applicants with valid Texas teaching certificates will be considered first for all open teaching positions.

Please review  the information below if you currently do not have Texas educator certification and would like to teach in McKinney ISD.

Anyone seeking educator certification in Texas must pass examinations of professional knowledge and subject matter knowledge approved by the State Board for Educator Certification.  Approved examinations are Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES), Texas oral Proficiency Test (TOPT), Texas Assessment of Sign Communication (TASC and TASC-ASL).  In addition to passing the appropriate certification examinations, applicants for a Texas educator certificate must satisfy other requirements by following one of the several routes to certification outlined below:

Routes to Educator Certification

University-based Programs
These programs are usually delivered as part of a baccalaureate degree program.  However, most colleges and universities have programs designed to prepare people who already hold a bachelor's degree and want to obtain educator certification.  These programs may vary by institution.

Alternative Programs for Educator Preparation
Some institutions of higher education and large school districts have been approved by the State Board for Educator Certification to operate alternative programs of preparation for teachers and administrators.  These programs may involve university coursework or other professional development experiences as well as intense mentoring and supervision, during the candidate's first year in the roll of educator.  In addition, some regional education service centers offer alternative programs of preparation similar to the school based programs.

Region 10

The Region 10 Education Service Center has an alternative certification program (Teacher Preparation and Certification Program) in many teaching fields:  Math, Science Composite, Bilingual, English  as a Second Language (ESL), Special Education, etc.  Currently, interns begin a one-year internship in any one of the many regional school districts.  Selection and training begins several months in advance of the beginning of the internship.  Among the minimum requirements is a 2.5 overall GPA on the applicant's transcript.  Call Region 10 at (972) 348-1700 to get additional information about the program.

Upon completion of a successful year of internship, passage of the state-mandated examinations, and all other program requirements, the intern is eligible for a Texas Teacher's Certificate.

Collin County Community College District (CCCCD)

CCCCD offers an alternative certification program.  It is the first community college in the nation to offer a teacher certification program.  The program seeks candidates who can successfully transfer technological expertise, pedagogy, ingenuity, life and work experience and interpersonal skills into a classroom environment.  It is intensive, fast-tracked, and modular based.  Students have the option to enter the program in the fall, spring or summer for added flexibility.  More information can be found on this program at http://www.ccccd.edu/teachered.

Education Career Alternatives Program (ECAP)

ECAP is the first private alternative certification program approved by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) program.  To qualify, you must have a bachelor's degree and a 2.75 in the last 60 hours of instruction or valid work experience.

An acceptable score on the Critical Thinking Appraisal is also required.  For more information, please call Sharon Fikes, Executive Director, at (817) 284-7731.

Additional Certification Based on Examination
A teacher who holds an appropriate classroom teaching certificate and a bachelor's degree may add classroom certification areas by successfully completing the appropriate certification examination(s) for the area(s) sought.  Certification by examination is not available for:

• Initial certification;
• Career and technology certification based on skill and work experience;
• A class of certificate other than classroom teacher (e.g. Counselor, Principal, Learning Resources, Education Diagnostician);
• A certificate for which no certification examination has been developed.

To apply for additional certification based on examination, log on to www.sbec.state.tx.us, click Online for Educators, and follow the instructions.

Certification Based on Credentials from Another State or U.S. Territory
An applicant, who has been issued a standard certificate or credential from another state or United States territory, may apply for a Texas certificate.  The credential must be equivalent to a certificate issued by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC), and must not have been revoked, suspended, or pending such action.  SBEC will evaluate an expired credential provided it was standard at the time of issuance.  A statement issued by another state department of education specifying employment or examination requirements will have the same standing as standard certificate.

To apply for a review of credentials, all applicants must submit the following items:

• An online application for Out of State certificate holders;
• Copies of the front an back of all educator credentials issued by another state or territory of the United States;
• Official transcripts of all college credits, bearing the seal and signature of the college registrar;
• $177 fee;
• A completed ink fingerprint card, along with the $47 fingerprinting fee or,
• Digital fingerprints, $47 fingerprinting fee and a $9.95 fee for scanning to IDENTIX, by appointment only, scheduled by IDENTIX.

An applicant who holds a standard credential from another state, and who meets specified requirements as determined by the review of credentials completed by the SBEC, may be issued a One Year Certificate in one or more subject areas.  During the validity of this temporary, nonrenewable certificate, the applicant must satisfactorily complete all appropriate examinations for each certification are for which continued certification is desired.

To apply for a One Year Certificate, the following items must be submitted in addition to the items required for the Review of Crerdentials:

• An online application for Out of State certificate holders;
• $52 fee

To establish eligibility for the Standard Certificate, applicants must complete all requirements specified in the certification plan prepared by SBEC.  To apply for a Standard Certificate, the following items must be submitted:

• An online application for Out of State certificate holders;
• $77 fee.

Should you have further questions concerning your certification options, please contact the McKinney ISD Certification Specialist, Jacqueline Meek, at (469) 742-4115 or at jmeek@mckinneyisd.net.