What Is The Testing Schedule Recommended By OC EPP?
RequiredTExES Content Test - Core Subjects EC-6
Pass as soon as possible within the 1st semester
Required
TExES The Science of Teaching Reading - Core Subjects EC-6
Pass 30 days after class over
What Tests Am I Required To Take In Order To Get My Texas Teacher Certification?
Testing is provided through Pearson TExES. You will need to establish a testing account with Pearson's prior to registering for tests. Also, at this website, you will be able to register and pay for tests.
Please view this document which outlines all of the tests which have been modified for OC Teacher Program Candidates.
What Does The OC Educator Preparation Program Process Entail?
There are a total of four (4) phases in regards to the certification process:
Admissions
Coursework
Clinical Teaching or Internship
Finalizing Standard Certification
Please see the following certification process info sheet for complete details as well as program contact information.
Do I Have To Take The TOEFL If My Degree Is From Out-Of-Country?
If your country is designated as English speaking by the Texas Education Agency, you do not have to take the TOEFL. If your country is not on the list, yes, you must take the TOEFL-iBT.
Please see the following website for further information.
Are There Scores That I Must Achieve On The TOEFL?
Yes, you must achieve minimum scores in the following areas:
Speaking - 24
Listening - 22
Reading - 22
Writing - 21
TOEFL scores are valid for two years. More information and the registration portal may be found at https://www.ets.org/toefl/
What Additional Admission Steps Are Required By OC?
Students must complete the official OC program application which can be found here. Students must also provide their official transcripts, sent digitally, to ocepp@odessa.edu as well as complete a face-to-face interview.
What Should I Know In General About The Program?
You can start the program in the fall, spring, or summer OC session (semester). Classes are held Monday-Thursday from 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm, and held virtually.
A certification plan is available which outlines completion of your specific program. The teacher certification program is a two-year program:
- The first year is completion of required state curriculum, 30 hours of field based experiences and required testing for state licensure. All must be completed prior to clinical teaching or internship.
- The second year is completion of an internship or clinical teaching, as defined below.
Clinical teaching is a 14-week, non-paid experience in an approved TEA private, charter, or public school. If you are a teacher's aide, you may complete your clinical teaching while you complete your job duties.
An internship involves having a contract with an approved TEA private, charter, or public school for one academic year or 180 days as teacher of record. The candidate receives first year's teacher salary, benefits, and teacher retirement.
Both of these experiences are completed under the supervision of the OC Educator Preparation Program.
What Is Your Complaint Policy And Procedure Process?
Student Complaint Procedures
Student complaints may include (but are not limited to) issues regarding classroom instruction, college services and offices as well as discrimination based on race, color, gender, religion, age, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation. Grade disputes and sexual or sexual harassment complaints are handled separately.
Please refer to the following document for detailed information:
Alternative Teacher Certification Complaint Policies & Procedure
What Accommodations Are Available For Former And Current Military Personnel And Their Spouses?
According to TAC 19 Section 228.35(1)(5)(A), each educator preparation program is required to develop and implement specific criteria and procedures that allow:
(a) Military service members or military veteran candidates to credit verified military service, training, or education toward the training, education, work experience or related requirements (other than certification examinations) for educator certification requirements, provided that the military service, training, or education is directly related to the certificate being sought.
What Is The Job Forecast For The Teaching Profession For The Next 10 Years?
Kindergarten and Elementary School TeachersOverall employment of kindergarten and elementary school teachers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 124,300 openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Middle School TeachersThe median annual wage for middle school teachers was $60,810 in May 2020.Employment of middle school teachers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 48,400 openings for middle school teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
High School TeachersThe median annual wage for high school teachers was $62,870 in May 2020. Employment of high school teachers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 77,400 openings for high school teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Source: Texas Workforce Commission Information
If My Degree Is From Out-Of-Country, What Do I Have To Do Prior To Admission?
If the conferred degree is from out-of-country, the out-of-country transcript must be evaluated for equivalency to a US degree by an approved TEA transcript evaluation.
The transcript evaluation company located in Austin, Texas is:
Foreign Credentials Service of America1910 Justin Ln.
Austin, TX 78757
Phone: (512) 459-8428
Fax: (512) 459-4565
Email: info@foreigncredentials.org
What Is OC's Policy About Accepting Previously Completed Coursework?
Military:
OC WILL evaluate and accept any coursework recorded on an official transcript completed while in the military if it is pertinent to the certification area sought by the candidate.
Colleges and Universities:
OC WILL evaluate and accept any coursework recorded on an official transcript completed at other colleges and universities if it relates to the certification area being sought by the candidate. OC will also accept any field-based experiences with proper documentation.
OC WILL NOT accept any coursework from an alternative certification program. However, with proper documentation, OC will accept any field-based experiences completed.
What Are The Exit Policies Of The OC Teacher Certification Program?
Candidates who are admitted to the OC Educator Preparation Program are expected to demonstrate both academic and specified non-academic standards that are necessary to be competent teachers. The intent is to ensure that the candidates recommended for teacher certification can effectively and independently carry out the duties for which they are being prepared. We will hold you to your signed agreements and program policies. You will be placed on probation or asked to leave the Educator Preparation Program based on, but not limited to, the reasons listed below.
Reasons for Discipline or Dismissal
Failure to abide by the Texas Educator's Code of Ethics
Poor attendance (classes, field experience, internship/clinical teaching placements, etc.)
Incomplete or unsatisfactory coursework
Uncorrected Fitness to Teach incident(s)
Failure to complete 30 clock hours of field-based experiences on time
Unsatisfactory progress toward completion of the program
Failure to meet clinical teaching or internship requirements
Failure to maintain financial responsibilities to OC
Failure to pass TExES examinations
Falsification of application or program information
Failure to disclose criminal activity
If a candidate resigns from the program or is released by the program, the following must be completed within 5 working days.In the event of resignation from the program, written notice to the program coordinator or to the admissions officer is required.
In the event of release by the program, the program will send an official letter to the candidate stating the reason for release.
An exit interview must be held with an OC staff member.
All materials (books, technology, etc.) must be returned. If not, the candidate will be billed for the costs of the materials and grades withheld.