Anonymous
Texas,#2Consumer Comment
Wed, August 21, 2013
Mr. Rozell,
I'm being told opposite by your company about program fees from your payroll department. I'm starting the student teaching for one semester this fall and she is telling me that I have to pay 4 or 6 payments of remaining fees, this conflicts with your statement that your program allows students to pay back once they get hired a full-time teaching job. I am not able to call, only email. Your FAQ oyours I site even concurs with your statement. Why is there a conflict?
iteachTEXAS
Denton,#3REBUTTAL Owner of company
Mon, April 09, 2012
There are four basic requirements for certification: content area test, instructional coursework, field experience and the pedagogy and professional responsibility test. These are requirements set in place by the Texas Education Agency and a program is responsibility to ensure all requirements have been met prior to a recommendation for state certification.
While there is flexibility within certification programs, there are standards in place that must be met for certification. Please keep in mind, we are visiting about certification if you desire to teach in Texas, there are private schools and charters schools that may not require a state certificate to teach. In a previous email, I supplied you with direct links to private and charter schools that you can research for teaching opportunities.
If you have questions regarding A+ Teacher Texas, I would suggest visiting directly with them.
John, we have visited on the phone and via email numerous times if you have additional questions for me, please contact me directly.
Zach Rozell
Director of Operations
John
Houston,#4General Comment
Mon, April 09, 2012
"In fact the state of Texas no longer issues degrees in education, the Texas Education Code limits the number of education courses, as the state desires more of a focus on the academic content area."
I laud the state of Texas for this approach but it shoots itself in the head when the ACPs like yourself are completely inflexible regarding previous training and work experience. You cannot evaluate every candidate the same way. We are not all equal in ability or talent.
"A certification entity is responsible for test preparation, instructional coursework, and classroom observations throughout the duration of a candidates enrolment."
Not to sound too disagreeable, but there is simply no way any amount of training can prepare a teacher for the classroom. A good teacher never stops learning; evaluates himself every day and adjusts his teaching method and style as required.
"iteachTEXAS posts all Admissions Requirements on our website, www.iteachtexas.com, and can not proceed forward with the evaluation for certification areas, until all requirements documentation has been submitted by the candidate."
What a shame that ACPs are so inflexible. Honestly, there is no difference between any of the ACPs. They are about money even though they like to think otherwise.
At the end of the day, the students are the ones who lose out. There are good teachers in the United States (I am an excellent mathematics teacher for one) who cannot get into the classroom because of the
all the crap I need to deal with.
Good luck to you! I will continue trying to find a teaching job abroad where there is less red tape and far less stress.
iteachTEXAS
Denton,#5REBUTTAL Owner of company
Mon, April 09, 2012
While I cannot comment on A+ Teacher Texas, iteachTEXAS is an approved educator preparation program by the state of Texas. Preparation programs in the state of Texas operate under Texas Education Code and Texas Administrative Code with the Texas
Education Agency has the governing body.
iteachTEXAS coursework is designed to prepare an individual who is highly qualified in a content area,
under the No Child Left Behind Act, to be an effective classroom teacher. Through the distance learning coursework developed by iteachTEXAS you, the teacher candidate, will obtain knowledge on a broad array of topics ranging from human development, to educational pedagogy, to classroom management, to special needs students. The vision of the coursework is for you to study and understand various aspects of the teaching discipline and translate this knowledge into actual classroom practice. This knowledge will empower you to adapt teaching practices to maximize individual student learning.
Under Texas Administrative Code, all individuals seeking teacher certification must complete a Field Experience in which they are in the classroom performing the roles and responsibilities of a teacher under the supervision of a preparation program. One option to completing the Field Experience requirement is to be hired as the Teacher of Record within a district for a two semester time period.
iteachTEXAS has been designed to allow financial flexibility for anyone seeking certification. A
minimum upfront fee is required with the vast majority of program fees deferred interest free until you have been successful and secured a teaching position.
While I can not speak on behalf of other programs, it is the desire of iteachTEXAS that all our candidates are prepared for the classroom and ready to educate students. For detailed information regarding the iteachTEXAS program, please visit our website at www.iteachtexas.com.
Zach Rozell
Director of Operations
John
Houston,#6General Comment
Thu, December 08, 2011
They should only require the content and pedagogy examinations. Texas Teachers ACP has a 2 week course which has less value than dog sh1t (excuse the language).
Texas Teachers forces you also to spend a year as a full time teacher in which you pay them $400 per month. What you get from them is absolutely nothing after the 2 week course and a few seminars which are an insult to anyone with even the slightest intelligence.
In Texas, the ACP organization has more power than the authority issuing a certificate (State Board Of Education (SBEC) in Texas). Unless the ACP recommends you, SBEC will not issue a standard licence.
In California it is the opposite way around. The credentialing board calls all the shots.
The education system in the US is not broken beyond repair for no reason.
iteachTEXAS
Denton,#7
Thu, September 03, 2009
The state of Texas has multiple options for an individual seeking their teaching certification. In order to be recommended for your Teaching Certificate, the state requires a person to hold an undergraduate degree with an academic major. In fact the state of Texas no longer issues degrees in education, the Texas Education Code limits the number of education courses, as the state desires more of a focus on the academic content area.
All candidates must complete a Field Experience at a TEA approved or recognized school under the supervision of the certification entity. A candidate may elect to be hired as the Teacher of Record for a two semester Field Experience or complete a Clinical Teaching option for one semester as a student teacher.
A certification entity is responsible for test preparation, instructional coursework, and classroom observations throughout the duration of a candidates enrollment.
iteachTEXAS posts all Admissions Requirements on our website, www.iteachtexas.com, and can not proceed forward with the evaluation for certification areas, until all requirements documentation has been submitted by the candidate.
iteachTEXAS is committed to responding to both email and phone messages with a one business day period.
Zach Rozell
Director of Operations