Expanding the Pool of Qualified Teachers for Ohio

Schools:A Program for Transitioning Military Personnel into the Teaching Profession

Ohio Department of Education

Ohio Department of Education

• Center for the Teaching Profession

• Office of Recruitment and Retention

• Troops to Teachers Program

Section 3319.283 Ohio Revised Code

• Honorably discharged between July 1, 1994 and June 30, 2000.

• Hold at least a baccalaureate degree.

• Have been assigned as an instructor while in the military.

May be hired as a teacher even though not yet certified or licensed.

Ohio Troops to Teachers Program*

• 1,782 veterans have requested information.

• 600 are enrolled with DANTES.

• Over 150 are teaching in Ohio under TTT.

• 36 were funded in the early years.

• Ohio school districts received $1,314,084.41

*As of September 12, 2001

Need for the Program

• Ohio previously produced more teachers than were needed within the state.

• Ohio is now experiencing the same shortages as other states. (Math, Science, Special Ed, Bilingual)

• January 1, 2000, Alternative Educator License. (31 issued as of January 1, 2002)

• There is a need for programs to assist mid-life individuals who want to make a career change to public education.

Alternative Educator License

• Individuals with a baccalaureate degree;

• A major with a 2.5 GPA in subject to be taught (or 30 semester hours in the subject);

• 3 semester hours in Adolescent Development,

• 3 semester hours in Teaching Methods,

• Pass the PRAXIS II in subject area.

Can then be hired and issued the Alternative License.

To Qualify for a Provisional License:

• Two year, nonrenewable Alternative License (School must Mentor);

• Pass 12 semester hours of Education Courses with 2.5 GPA;

• Pass the PRAXIS II - Professional Knowledge of Learning and Teaching.

Project Goals

• We identify individuals who will be retiring, and are interested in becoming teachers;

• They complete the requirements for the Alternative Educator License while on Active Duty;

• Upon retirement, receive the Alternative License and begin teaching;

• Continue to take courses for full licensure.

Institutions of Higher Education

• Offer courses at times and locations convenient for military personnel.

• Accept “Transfer Credits” from other institutions.

• Offer credit for military “Instructor Training Courses” for “Teaching Methods” course.

• Offer flexibility for “Student Teaching”.

Project Goals

• Provide financial aid to help individuals complete required coursework.

• Identify and eliminate barriers to becoming licensed as a teacher in Ohio.

• Provide incentives to Institutions of Higher Education who will help eliminate barriers.

• Help individuals become licensed to teach in areas of identified shortages.

Required Partnerships

• Ohio Department of Education;

• Institutions of Higher Education;

• School Districts;

• Military Installations.

Plan of Operation

• Identify greatest teacher shortage areas;

• Identify military personnel interested in teaching;

• Work with universities to offer courses needed at a time that military personnel can take them;

• Encourage universities to accept transfer credit, and offer credit for military schools;

Plan of Operation (Cont.)

• Encourage universities to develop a series of modules for individuals who want to teach Special Education;

• Encourage universities to develop a program to help experienced leaders to become principals;

• Encourage universities to offer on-line instruction and/or distance education.

Steps Toward Goals

• Identification of Program Participants;• Identification of Districts and Mentors;• Initial Coursework prior to employment;• Issuance of Alternative Educator License;• Readiness for Employment;• Completion of Requirements while Teaching;• Progression to Professional Licensure.

Evaluation

• What are the immediate effects of this program on students, schools, teachers, principals, and districts?

• What challenges were encountered?• If any part of the program is less-than-satisfactory,

can we change, to improve the outcomes?• Under what conditions does the program work?• How and where should it be replicated?

National Significance

• Ohio has placed 150 teachers in the classroom under Troops to Teachers.

• By expanding the program, we could place 100 veterans in the classroom each year.

• This program could readily be expanded to other states.

• This program could be adopted to serve career changers from other professions who would like to become teachers.

Military Population in Ohio

• Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

• Cleveland Coast Guard Facility.

• Reserve Component Personnel.

• Recruiters.

• ROTC Staff.

• JROTC Staff.

First Partnership

• Wright Patterson Air Force Base

• University of Dayton

• Wright State University

• Dayton City Schools

• Montgomery County Education Service Center (ESC)

• Greene County ESC

Second Partnership

• Cleveland Coast Guard Facility

• Cleveland State University

• John Carroll University

• Baldwin Wallace University

• Case Western Reserve University

• Cleveland City Schools

• Cuyahoga County ESC

Expansion

• Expand state wide to include other Active Duty & Reserve Component personnel.

• Expand to as many universities as possible.

• Could benefit all 62 Education Service Centers, and 612 School Districts in Ohio.

Contact Information

Ohio Department of Education

ATTN: Troops to Teachers

25 South Front Street, Mail Stop 505

Columbus, OH 43215-4183

Phone: (614) 466-5734 or 1-800-852-6064

FAX: (614) 728-3058

E-mail: ed.hall@ode.state.oh.us

Questions?