Expanding the Pool of Teachers Policy
Delaware's Alternative Route for Teacher Licensure and Certification (ARTC) is only available for candidates seeking certification in certain critical needs secondary subjects and K-12 Music and Art.
ARTC is a partnership between the Department of Education and the University of Delaware. The state requires National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) standards for approval of ARTC programs, precluding entities other than institutions of higher education from providing programs.
Delaware also authorizes Teach For America as an alternate route for all grade levels, subjects and geographic areas; however, this policy is set to expire in April 2012. If not renewed, the state would no longer meet this goal, as ARTC has both subject and provider limitations.
Broaden alternate route usage.
Delaware should reconsider grade-level and subject-area restrictions on the ARTC. Alternate routes should not be programs of last resort for hard-to-staff subjects, grade levels or geographic areas but rather a way to expand the teacher pipeline throughout the state.
Encourage diversity of alternate route providers.
Delaware should specifically authorize alternate route programs run by local school districts and nonprofits, as well as institutions of higher education. The state should also continue to authorize Teach For America as an alternate route provider. A good diversity of providers helps all programs, both university- and non-university-based, to improve.
Delaware recognized the factual accuracy of NCTQ's analysis but noted that proposed language that would allow nontraditional providers such as The New Teacher Project to operate in the state is designed to take effect October 2011.