Steps to Certification

Pre-Service Training is only the first step in a larger certification process. In order to work in Rhode Island public schools, you must first meet the requirements outlined below to obtain their initial practitioner license, Alternative Route Program Certificate (ARPC). In addition, during their first year as a classroom teacher, Fellows must enroll in TNTP Academy and complete all required coursework and meet rigorous performance standards before earning their full teaching certificate from the state of Rhode Island.

Timeline

The Rhode Island Teaching Fellows is an alternate route to teacher certification program that moves at a demanding, accelerated pace. Fellows need to be prepared for a rigorous year during which they will hold themselves to the very high expectations of the program.

• Spring 2013: Candidates accepted into RITF enroll in the 2013 Cohort of Rhode Island Teaching Fellows.
• June/July to August 2013: Fellows attend summer Pre-Service Training and seek seek full-time teaching position in partner districts.
• Fall 2013: Fellows who successfully complete Pre-Service Training and secure a teaching position will earn an Alternative Route Program Certificate, which indicates their "highly qualified" status and allows them to teach during their first year while pursuing full professional certification.
• School Year 2013-2014: Fellows work as full-time teachers and complete certification coursework through TNTP Academy.
• June/July 2014: Fellows who successfully complete all TNTP Academy requirements, including demonstrated success during their first year as a teacher, will be recommended for full professional certification.

Alternative Route Program Certification Requirements

The Alternative Route Program Certificate (ARPC) is a temporary certification that qualifies Fellows to teach during their first year. In order receive their ARPC, Fellows must first successfully complete summer Pre-Service Training and comply with all program requirements, including:

• Hold a Bachelor’s Degree conferred no later than June 14, 2013 with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (or GPA of 3.0 or above in graduate level degree of at least 24 credits)
• Submit 3 official transcripts from every college or university you have attended
• Submit proof that you are eligible to work in the United States without employer sponsorship
• Meet content knowledge requirements for your assigned subject area, including coursework in your assigned subject area and passing scores on the applicable Praxis II exam(s) for your assigned subject area(s)
• Pass a required background check (Fellows are responsible for any fees associated with the background check)
  
• Secure a full-time teaching position in one of our partner charter schools or district.

3-Year Initial Educator Certificate

After completing your first year as a teacher with your Alternative Route Program Certificate, Fellows will be recommended for licensure by Rhode Island Teaching Fellows to be issued an initial certification. During their first year, Fellows will continue coursework through TNTP Academy, attending bi-weekly, evening seminars in their content area. In order to be recommended for initial certification at the end of your first year teaching, you must comply with all program and state requirements, including:

• Successfully complete all TNTP Academy requirements
• Complete your first year of teaching in a Rhode Island public school
• Earn a passing score on Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching exam
• Demonstrate effectiveness during your first year as a classroom teacher

Fellows who meet these requirements will earn a 3-year Initial Educator Certificate, the same teaching certificate held by other new Rhode Island teachers. Please note that certification requirements may change as Rhode Island Department of Education updates their certification regulations.

Fees

Pre-Service Training is free of cost.

Certification Cost: Fellows will be required to pay Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) the following certification fees, in order to pursue their teacher certification: 

• ARPC processing fee (this is required in order to be considered “Highly Qualified” to teach during first year of teaching while participating in certification seminars, paid at the end of Pre-Service Training, August 2013): $100 per certification area

• Full Initial Certificate processing fee (paid at the end of the first year of teaching, May/June 2014): $100 per certification area, and $50 for each additional certification area. 
• Fellows who add certifications (e.g. middle school or ESL) to their ARPC will also be responsible for additional certification charges as mandated by RIDE as well as tuition for courses at an approved institution required for endorsements.  

Tuition Cost: TNTP Academy tuition will be $6,000 for the 2013-14 year and can be paid in installments throughout the first year of teaching.

*Special Education Fellows receive a dual certification in Special Education and their content area (e.g., English).  Thus, Special Education Fellows pay for two certifications, but will only be charged total of $6,000 for TNTP Academy.  Other Fellows may also choose to seek dual certification, on a case-by-case basis, as approved by RITF.