The program is an alternative certification program designed for college graduates who meet the criteria (bachelor's degree and 2.75 GPA) to obtain teacher certification through plans approved by the state of Texas and is considered an "alternative" route because it accomplishes certification outside of the traditional university program setting.

The program provides 22-26 weeks, of training and the choice to participate in a one-year teaching internship or a fourteen-week clinical teaching experience. During an internship, the participant serves as a teacher of record with the role and responsibilities of any first year teacher, including a first year teacher's salary. Clinical teaching consists of a 14 week, unpaid program in  which the participant teaches in a classroom and is guided by a certified teacher and observed by a certified, experienced regional field supervisor. The Region 4 Inspire Texas teacher certification program is approved by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC). Program rules and requirements are subject to change at any time due to SBEC requirements. (If you are seeking admission into a Texas Educator Preparation Program, it will require the PACT exam for entry.

After all program requirements are complete, including all training and the one-year internship or the fourteen-week clinical teaching experience, the intern or clinical teacher will be recommended to the state for a standard teaching certificate. For more information, go to the following link:

• http://inspiretexas.net/teacher
  
  

Note: Career and Technology Education teacher candidates can find information regarding certification in those subject areas by going to the following link:

• http://www.esc17.net/page/CTETest
  
  

CTE certification areas include all vocational and trades related courses, and those certifications do not fall under this program. Contact Heather Blount, hblount@esc17.net, for more information about CTE.

Region 17 Education Service Center provides access to a principal certification program in partnership with Region 4 Education Service Center. This alternative certification program is designed for teachers who meet the criteria to obtain principal certification through plans approved by the state of Texas, and is considered an “alternative” route because it accomplishes certification outside the traditional university program setting.
 
You should have a master’s or other advanced degree, a valid teacher’s certificate and a service record of at least two years’ experience, and leadership experiences before you apply. Cohorts begin every January, April, July and October.  The program consists of 200 clock hours in a 12 month online curriculum along with 160 hours of campus level practicum experiences. All courses are instructor-led and the practicum is conducted under the supervision of a campus mentor and an assigned principal-certified field supervisor. Coursework and the internship can be conducted anywhere in the state of Texas. After all program requirements are complete, including all coursework, payment of fees, practicum hours and passing of the TExES Principal exams, the intern will be recommended to the state for a standard principal certification. 
 
Program rules and requirements are subject to change at any time due to SBEC requirements. For more information, go to the following link: 

• http://inspiretexas.net/principal/what-it-takes
  
  

Note - To learn more about recent Principal Certification Redesign and assessments that impact principal certification. See TEA information regarding these changes at: 

• https://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Educators/Educator_Initiatives_and_Performance/Principal_Certification_Redesign/

Region 17 Education Service Center provides access to an online superintendent certification program in partnership with Region 4 Education Service Center. The superintendent certification program is approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

The Superintendent Certification program begins every September and continues through August. During the program, several cohort meetings will take place in Houston. All courses are instructor led and the practicum is conducted under the supervision of a mentor and an assigned superintendent-certified field supervisor. The internship can be conducted anywhere in the state of Texas. After all program requirements are complete, including all coursework, payment of fees, practicum hours and passing of the TExES Superintendent exam, the intern will be recommended to the state for a standard superintendent certification. For more information, go to:

• http://inspiretexas.net/superintendent/why-become-a-superintendent