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*
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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
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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
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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
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Wright Patterson Air Force Base.
Cleveland Coast Guard Facility.
Reserve Component Personnel.
Recruiters.
ROTC Staff.
JROTC Staff.
First Partnership
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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
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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: [email protected]
Questions?