The alternative certification programs CPS works with are geared primarily toward career-changers who teach while taking education coursework at local colleges and universities. The schools also enroll candidates who are not planning to work in Chicago. Here’s a snapshot of how each of nine programs works with CPS.
Associated Colleges of Illinois
CPS teachers, 2004-05: 14
Areas of Certification: High school mathematics and science
Training: 36 credit hours of courses, summer student teaching and a teacher residency in a Chicago public school for one year.
Cost: $18,000, but $9500 is covered by CPS and a federal grant
Benefits: Allows professionals to continue working full-time when they first enroll in evening courses; provides teachers with enough coursework so they are only one course shy of a Masters degree in teaching.
Contact: Chris Johnston, 312-263-2391, ext. 21.
Website: http://www.acifund.org/progs_tdp/ACI_Classes.pdf
National Louis University
CPS teachers, 2004-05: 85
Areas of Certification: Math, science, world languages, elementary education and bilingual education.
Training: Two years of coursework and a two-year teacher residency in CPS.
Cost: $9,000. CPS pays $2,000.
Contact: Mary Ann Corley, 312-261-3132
Website: http://www.firstclass.cps.k12.il.us
Academy for Urban School Leadership
CPS Teachers, 2004-05: 66
Areas of Certification: Elementary education
Training: A one-year program that includes coursework and a teacher residency in CPS.
Cost: $8,000 (60 percent less than the master’s in teaching program).
Contact: Jane Moore, 847-947-5192
Website: http://www.ausl-chicago.org/index.html
First Class Special Education Teacher Preparation Program
Formerly Facilitating Accelerated Certification for Educators (FACE)
CPS Teachers, 2004-05: 50 (from the University of Illinois at Chicago and colleges that are members of the Associated Colleges of Illinois)
Areas of Certification: Special education
Training: Includes 20 weeks of student co-teaching and two to two-and-a-half years coursework, plus a two-year teacher residency at a CPS school.
Contact: Sharon Grant, 847-619-8831, Roosevelt University; Mary Bay, 312-355-1794, UIC.
Website: http://www.firstclass.cps.k12.il.us
Golden Apple Teacher Education (GATE)
CPS Teachers, 2004-05: 41
Areas of Certification: Elementary and secondary math and science
Training: In collaboration with Northwestern University, the program includes eight weeks of summer teacher training and a year-long residency in a CPS school, with additional coursework.
Contact: Nellie Quintana, 312-407-0006,
Website: http://www.goldenapple.org/gate.htm
University of Illinois Middle Grades Math and Science
CPS Teachers, 2004-05: 27
Areas of Certification: Math and science
Training: A 15-month program that includes summer coursework and a year-long residency at a CPS school.
Cost: $7,000
Contact: Carol Mitchener, 312-996-8590
Website: http://www.uic.edu/educ/mathsci/
Teach for America
CPS teachers, 2004-05: 75
Areas of certification: Math and science and elementary education
Training: Five weeks of summer training, which includes coursework and four weeks of student teaching in either Houston, New York or Los Angeles. (See related story.)
Contact: John White,
Website: http://www.teachforamerica.org/chicago.html
UNITE (Urban Impact through Education)
CPS teachers, 2004-05: 10
Areas of certification: Elementary education
Training: Program is a part of the Inner City Teaching Corps, which works in collaboration with Northwestern University and the Golden Apple Foundation. Training includes eight weeks of summer courses and student teaching, and a year residency in a CPS school with additional coursework
Contact: Matthew Smith, 773-265-7240
Website: http://www.ictc-chicago.org/
Chicago State University
CPS teachers, 2004-05: 35
Areas of concentration: physical education
Training: Summer teacher training and a two-year teacher residency in a CPS school.
Cost: $6,000. CPS pays $2,000.
Contact: Larry Sondler, 773-995-2072