Expanding the Pool of Teachers Policy
Although it does not place restrictions on usage, Indiana limits the providers of its alternate routes.
Indiana is commended for having no restrictions on the usage of its alternate routes with regard to subject, grade or geographic areas.
Colleges and universities are the only approved providers of alternate route programs. Further, coursework requirements are set out only in credit hours, effectively precluding non-higher education providers.
Encourage diversity of alternate route providers.
Indiana should specifically authorize alternate route programs run by local school districts and nonprofits, as well as institutions of higher education. A good diversity of providers helps all programs, both university- and non-university-based, to improve.
Indiana recognized the factual accuracy of NCTQ's analysis but noted that it plans to address the course hour requirements in a coming revision of teacher licensure regulations. "It was just an oversight that it [a provision for course hours vs. other ways to demonstrate subject matter proficiency] was not addressed in the current version of the regulations." Indiana added that alternate providers are permitted, but unfortunately have not yet had any seek approval.
Beyond just removing course hour requirements, the state should consider specifying clearly and directly that non-IHE providers are permitted.