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Transition to Teaching FAQ
1. What is the TTT program?
2. What are the benefits?
3. Who is eligible for the TTT program?
4. If I am already certified as a teacher in another state can I be accepted into the program?
5. How do I apply to the program?
6. If I am certified in Pennsylvania as a teacher in one subject area, can I gain certification in a different subject matter through this program?
7. Does the program offer a certification for elementary education?
8. What are the subject areas for which I can earn an Instructional I certificate?
9. What is a “highly qualified” candidate?
10. If I am teaching or hired to teach in a Charter or Parochial School am I eligible for the program?
11. Are applicants required to pass Praxis exams before entering the TTT program?
12. How do I register for the Praxis exams?
13. What are the requirements for Instructional I certification through the TTT program?
14. Do I need to send Drexel official college transcripts?
15. Where do I get Criminal Background Check, Child Abuse Clearance, and FBI Clearance forms for Pennsylvania?
16. Can graduate education course work that I have completed at other colleges substitute for course work requirements at Drexel for the TTT program?
17. How does tuition remission work? Do I have to pay Drexel, and then get reimbursed later?
18. Where do I take classes?
19. Are Praxis exam fees reimbursed?
20. Can I teach in a school district other than Philadelphia or Chester/Upland after my first year?
21. Can I transfer to another school within the Philadelphia or Chester/Upland school districts?
22. I was awarded a degree from a foreign university – can I be considered for the program?
23. Can I acquire a U.S. work visa through the TTT program?
1. What is the TTT program?
A: The Transition to Teaching program is designed to recruit and train candidates as math and science middle- and high-school teachers. Elementary education certification is also available. Candidates with a math or science (physics, chemistry, engineering, biology) bachelor’s degree or higher are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates will work as classroom teachers in public, charter, and parochial schools while they complete online Drexel course work for certification.
2. What are the benefits?
A: Free tuition for course work for teacher certification taken through the Transition to Teaching program.
Graduate credits earned through the program may be transferred towards a master’s degree program in education at Drexel or another institution.
Online classes offer asynchronous learning to accommodate busy schedules.
Supportive learning and mentoring environment.
Signing bonuses available for candidates who teach in the Philadelphia school district.
10% rent reduction for first year’s rent at participating properties in Philadelphia.
Reimbursement for Praxis I exam fees for passing scores (applicable only to those candidates entering the TTT program – see program requirements).
3. Who is eligible for the TTT program?
A: A bachelor’s degree or higher in Math or Science (Physics, Engineering, Chemistry, Biology) is preferred for middle and high school, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Extensive work experience in a math or science intensive fields will be considered. Elementary education certification is also part of the program, allowing for more diverse bachelor’s degrees, as long as candidates meet the basic requirements.
Successful completion of Praxis I exam (PPST) in Reading, Writing and Math. Please go to www.ets.org/praxis for more information on computer-based testing sites for the Praxis I.
Commitment to teach for three consecutive years (beginning at the time of enrollment into the program) in designated parnter school district.
Regular access to the Internet, preferably on a high-speed connection.
Other eligibility requirements apply by school district.
4. If I am already certified as a teacher in another state can I be accepted into the program?
A: No. The Transition to Teaching program is open only to those who have no prior teaching certification in any state or country.
5. How do I apply to the program?
A: Please click the application download tab on this website. There are a few steps involved in applying to the program. Since you will be an employee of a school district (either Philadelphia, Chester/Upland or Mobile, AL) each partner school district has its own specific application process and requirements. If you are a charter or parochial school teacher, or are already employed by the school districts covered by TTT, you may apply directly to Drexel University.
However, there are some common general application materials and steps that you should focus on now which will be required for application to any of the three school districts:
- Three copies of official college transcripts.
- Successful completion for the Praxis I Exam (PPST) in Reading, Writing and Math.
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation from professionals who have first hand knowledge of your professional competence and personal qualities.
We suggest you work on the above four items now. As stated, each school district has its own unique application requirements, so please the Human Resources departments of the school districts for more information and an official application form. All contacts are listed on the contacts page of this website.
6. If I am certified in Pennsylvania as a teacher in one subject area, can I gain certification in a different subject matter through this program?
A: No. Applicants holding a teaching certificate of any kind are not eligible for this program.
7. Does the program offer a certification for elementary education?
A: Yes. The Transition to Teaching program offers a program for Pennsylvania Instructional I teacher certification in grades K-6 with an emphasis on math and science instruction, as well as a program for high school certification in the areas of mathematics and the sciences (grades 7-12). For elementary education certification (K-6), the Pennsylvania Department of Education has specific coursework requirements that differ from high school certification requirements. Please note, the program does not offer tuition remission for fulfillment of missing elementary education certification course work requirements.
Elementary Education Content Course Requirements
The following is a list of content course requirements for elementary education teacher certification in the Pennsylvania.
- Composition I*
- Composition II*
- Linear Math*
- Intro Prob/Stat*
- Biology** (with nutrition component)
- Physical Science (chemistry, physics, or astronomy)
- Environmental Issues**
- US History
- World Geography
- Economics
- Art or Music
- Literature
*State requires a minimum of 6 semester credits in Composition and 6 semester credits in Mathematics
**A good Environmental Biology often satisfies both the Biology and Environmental Issues requirements
8. What are the subject areas for which I can earn an Instructional I certificate?
A: The program offers certification for highly qualified candidates to teach in the subject areas of math and science (biology, chemistry, environmental education, general science, physics) in grades 7-12. Elementary education certification is also available (see question 3 above).
9. What is a “highly qualified” candidate?
A: A teacher in an alternate route to certification program (i.e., Transition to Teaching Program) may be considered highly qualified if the teacher holds at least a bachelor’s degree, has already demonstrated subject-matter competency in the core academic subject(s) the teacher will be teaching, and is participating in an alternate route to certification program in which the teacher:
a) receives, before and while teaching, high-quality professional development that is sustained, intensive, and classroom-focused in order to have a positive and lasting impact on classroom instruction;
b) participates in a program of intensive supervision that consists of structured guidance and regular ongoing support for teachers or in a teacher mentoring program;
c) assumes functions as a teacher for a period not to exceed three years;
d) demonstrates satisfactory progress toward full certification as prescribed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
10. If I am teaching or hired to teach in a Charter or Parochial School am I eligible for the program?
A: Yes. Applicants from Philadelphia or Chester/Upland charter schools will be considered for the program for certification in grades K-12 if the schools meet USDE requirements for serving high-need students. If you are a non-certified teacher and work in a charter school or have been offered employment by a charter school, please check with the school administration to learn if they meet Title 1 designation requirements.
11. Are applicants required to pass Praxis exams before entering the TTT program?
A: For applicants with a bachelor's degree in a math or science, passing score on the Praxis I is required. For applicants without math or science degrees, but who have a minor in a math or science or have completed a significant number of undergraduate courses in a math or science subject area, successful completion of both the Praxis I (PPST) battery of exams and the Praxis II Content Knowledge exam is required.
12. How do I register for the Praxis exams?
A: For more information on the Praxis, including registration procedures, test dates and locations, and computer-based testing sites, please visit www.ets.org/praxis.
13. What are the requirements for Instructional I certification through the TTT program?
A: Successful completion of Praxis I and II exams, successful performance in all nine (9) courses and required monthly professional development workshops, and successful performance in the participant’s first year of teaching (receipt of an overall score of 8 with a minimum of 1 in each area of the PA Statewide Evaluation Form for Student Professional Knowledge and Practice) will allow Drexel to recommend participant for the PA Instructional Teaching Certificate.
14. Do I need to send Drexel official college transcripts?
A: Yes. In addition to transcripts required by your school district or school administrators, Drexel will need an official transcript from your undergraduate (and graduate work, if relevant) studies that includes the date upon which your degree was awarded.
15. Where do I get Criminal Background Check, Child Abuse Clearance, and FBI Clearance forms for Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania Criminal Background Check:
http://www.psp.state.pa.us/psp/lib/psp/sp4-164.pdf
Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance:
http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/child/childabuseneglect/003671038.htm
FBI Clearance:
The FBI check requires a payment of twenty-four ($24) in the form of a certified check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Call, write or send an email requesting the FBI fingerprint card to:
School Services Unit
PA Department of Education
333 Market Street 5th floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
Voice: 717.783.3750
TTY: 717.783.8445
email: dwolfgang@state.pa.us
THE PA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WILL NOT ACCEPT REQUESTS FROM APPLICANTS. SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS SHALL FORWARD THE SET OF FINGERPRINTS FOR THE FEDERAL CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
16. Can graduate education course work that I have completed at other colleges substitute for course work requirements at Drexel for the program?
A: No. All course work for the program is mandatory to obtain PA teaching certification.
17. How does tuition remission work? Do I have to pay Drexel, and then get reimbursed later?
A: Coursework needed to be retaken will be at the candidate’s expense. Applicants accepted into the program will not have to pay for the cost of tuition for program courses. However, additional costs incurred by candidates seeking to fulfill course work requirements for Elementary Education certification (see question #4 above), OR continuing beyond the program such as for the M.S. degree in the Science of Instruction offered by Drexel’s School of Education will NOT be covered by the program.
18. Where do I take classes?
A: Core course work required by the program is offered online. Ready access to a computer with Internet access (broadband access strongly encouraged) is required to participate in the program.
Additional program requirements, in the form of workshops and orientation meetings, will be held at Drexel University conference rooms near 32nd and Market Streets. Mentoring meetings with the program’s teacher supervisors at Drexel’s campus or at Philadelphia schools will also be required periodically. Administrators will provide updates on the time and location of these workshops and meetings via e-mail and the TTT Web site.
19. Are Praxis exam fees reimbursed?
A: Yes. Reimbursement only for passed Praxis. Up to $250 will be reimbursed for Praxis exam fees to candidates who have been accepted into the TTT program and who have successfully earned the PA Teacher Intern Certificate. Receipts are required for reimbursement.
20. Can I teach in a school district other than Philadelphia or Chester/Upland after my first year?
A: No. Participants are required to teach within their designated school district (Philadelphia or Chester/Upland) for at least three continuous years, beginning with their first year of teaching and taking course work. Participants who do not fulfill this three-year requirement are obligated, by signed contract, to return the funding for course work and other costs incurred by the program (e.g. exam fees, learning materials).
21. Can I transfer to another school within the Philadelphia or Chester/Upland school districts?
A: Yes, participants may transfer to other high-need schools within their school district of record (Philadelphia or Chester/Upland). Transfers within district are solely up to the School District administration.
22. I was awarded a degree from a foreign university – can I be considered for the program?
A: Transcripts from colleges or universities outside of the United States will need to be evaluated and verified for equivalency by a third party. Many candidates use the fee-based services of companies such as World Education Services www.wes.org
23. Can I acquire a U.S. work visa through the TTT program?
A: No, unless the school district makes the necessary visa arrangements. |
