STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

101 Pleasant Street

Concord, N.H. 03301

FAX 603-271-1953

Citizens Services Line 1-800-339-9900

CONTACT: Bureau of Credentialing,

603-271-2408

ALTERNATIVE IV INFORMATION SHEET

TO: Individuals Requesting Information Regarding Alternative IV

FROM: Bureau of Credentialing, 603-271-2408, revised May 21, 2008

2007 - 2008 SCHOOL YEAR – CRITICAL SHORTAGE

· Comprehensive Family & Consumer Science

· Comprehensive Technology Education

· (formerly Industrial Arts)

· Computer Technology Educator

· Early Childhood Special Education

· English for Speakers of Other Languages

· Foreign Languages (Classical and Modern)

· General Special Education

· Special Education Categorical Areas:

· Acoustically Handicapped

· Emotionally Disturbed

· Learning Disabilities

· Mental Retardation

· Physically Handicapped

· Visually Handicapped

· Library Media Specialist

· Mathematics (5-8)

· Mathematics (7-12)

· Music Education

· Reading Specialist

· Sciences:

· Biology (7-12)

· Chemistry (7-12)

· Earth/Space Science (7-12)

· General Science (5-9)

· Physical Science (7-12)

· Physics (7-12)

· School Guidance Counselor

· School Psychologist

· Special Education Administrator

· Speech Language Specialist

School Business Administrator remains available through Alternative IV.

Candidate’s applying for a Statement of Eligibility must hold a conferred Bachelors degree to be found eligible.

Superintendents or agency heads may hire a candidate who holds a Statement of Eligibility (SOE) to pursue Alternative IV. This document is NOT a teaching certificate. For those not currently certified, the Superintendent must then request an “In Process of Certification” form while the plan is being developed and the basic academic skills requirement is being met. Exemptions to the basic academic skills requirement include 1. Master’s Degree or higher; 2. Seven or more years of educational experience under a credential issued by another state; or 3. Already New Hampshire certified in another content area.

To determine if the candidate qualifies for a Statement of Eligibility, the Bureau must have the following information:

1. Application. If certified, a letter stating the area being pursued via Alternative IV (i.e. General Special Education,

Comprehensive Technology Education, Career & Technology Specialties – Building Construction, etc.).

2. Official transcript(s).

3. Processing fee of $50.00

4. Current work resume.

5. Copy of professional/trade license, if applicable.

Please be advised that the requirements listed above are required for ALL AREAS. An incomplete application package will not be processed. See following pages for entry level criteria and additional requirements.

Once an individual holding a Statement of Eligibility (SOE) has been employed, the Superintendent must send a Personnel Action Form (PAF) to the Bureau of Credentialing (BOC) indicating the candidate has been employed in the area stated on the SOE. PAF information may be sent via email, llandenberger@ed.state.nh.us. The request for the materials may be submitted by e-mail, telephone, or fax. The BOC will forward the requested materials for the plan to any person requesting the documents.

Administrative Rules, section 513.01, stipulates that individuals seeking initial certification must document basic academic skills. This requirement applies to all alternative routes to certification. The New Hampshire State Board of Education has chosen PRAXIS I (Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) or the Computerized Pre-Professional Skills Test (CPPST) as one means of documenting basic academic skills. In addition to the PRAXIS I, New Hampshire can accept the PRAXIS I composite score option, as well as equivalent tests. Contact the Bureau for information regarding the composite score option and comparable tests. The basic academic skills requirement must be met before a plan will be approved and an intern license issued.

Before a candidate receives a regular credential, the subject area assessment requirement, if applicable, must be met. Praxis II, or an equivalent test, is required for the following content areas: Biology, Chemistry, Earth/Space Science, General Science, Middle School Mathematics, Physical Science, Physics, Secondary Mathematics.

EXEMPTIONS FOR BOTH PRAXIS I and II: Ed 513.01(b) (July 2003)

(1) Master’s Degree or higher; or

(2) Seven or more years of educational experience under a credential issued by another state.

PRAXIS information is available on the Educational Testing Service Website at www.ets.org/praxis or you may call the ETS toll free number 1-800-772-9476.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS for obtaining a Statement of Eligibility

1. GENERAL INFORMATION THAT APPLIES TO ALL AREAS except Career and Technical Specialty areas:

Documentation of a Bachelor’s degree.

2. SPECIFIC INFORMATION REGARDING CONTENT AREAS:

GENERAL SPECIAL EDUCATION/EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION:

· Alternative IV Candidates in General Special Education must either enroll in an approved collegiate certification

program leading to certification in General Special Education or complete the Alternative 4 assessment and plan

development process. This evaluation gives you the base grade range of K-12.

· Early Childhood Special Education evaluation gives you the base grade range of N-3.

· Categorical Special Education endorsement gives you the base grade range of K-12.

· The resume should demonstrate experience in working with special education students.

A candidate who wishes to pursue a categorical endorsement in Acoustically Handicapped, Emotionally Disturbed, Learning Disabilities, Mental Retardation, Physically Handicapped, or Visually Handicapped, must first hold or pursue certification in General Special Education.

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY EDUCATOR:

· Documentation of passing two college courses in computer technology, or

· Documented work experience in computer technology.

BIOLOGY:

· Documentation of passing two college courses in biology, including a laboratory experience.

CHEMISTRY:

· Documentation of passing two college courses in chemistry, including a laboratory experience.

EARTH/SPACE SCIENCE:

§ Documentation of passing two college courses in earth/space science, meteorology, oceanography, geology,

or astronomy.

GENERAL SCIENCE:

· Documentation of passing two college courses in general science.

PHYSICAL SCIENCE:

· Documentation of passing two college courses in physical science (one chemistry and one physics).

PHYSICS:

· Documentation of passing two college courses in physics, including a laboratory experience.

MATHEMATICS - Grades 7-12 (Secondary):

· Documentation of passing two college courses in calculus or its equivalent.

MATHEMATICS - Grades 5-8 (Middle School):

· Documentation of passing one college course in calculus or its equivalent.

MUSIC:

Documentation of passing two college courses in music; and/or

· Documentation of experience as a musician or other related experiences in music.

ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES:

· Documentation of passing one college course in linguistics and one English as a Second Language college course,

or two college courses in foreign language; or

· Documentation of competence in reading, writing, and speaking a foreign language.

FOREIGN LANGUAGES:

· Documentation of passing two college courses in a foreign language; or

· Documentation of competence in reading, writing, and speaking the language.

3. SPECIFIC INFORMATION REGARDING EDUCATION SPECIALIST AREAS:

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR:

· Documentation of academic preparation or work experience in budget management; purchasing and inventory;

and personnel management.

COMPREHENSIVE FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE:

· Documentation of college courses and/or work experience in two of the five program areas: 1. Human Growth and

Development, or Early Childhood, or Parenting; 2. Family or Interpersonal Relationships; 3. Consumer and

Resource Management; 4. Foods, Nutrition, or Wellness, 5a) Fashion or Interior Design or 5b) Hospitality,

Tourism or Facilities Management.

COMPREHENSIVE TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION (previously titled Industrial Arts):

· Documentation of academic preparation or experience in two of the four program components:

1. communications technology; 2. construction technology; 3. manufacturing technology; 4. energy, power, and

transmission technology.

LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALIST:

· Documentation of passing two college courses in Library Science or

· Documented experience as a Librarian.

READING SPECIALIST:

· Documentation of a bachelor’s degree.

SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELOR:

· Documentation of passing college coursework in counseling or related field.

SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST:

· Documentation of a Master degree in a closely related field such as clinical psychology, counseling psychology,

or school counseling;

· Documentation of passing graduate level college coursework in two of the following four areas:

psychoeducational assessment, mental health: prevention & assessment, program development & consultation,

or educational & psychoeducational curriculum;

· Alternative IV candidates in School Psychology must enroll in an approved collegiate program leading to

certification in School Psychology.

SPEECH/LANGUAGE SPECIALIST:

· Documentation of a bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology or Communications Disorders.

By plan completion, candidates for Speech/Language Specialist must obtain a master’s degree in

Communication Disorders or a closely related area.

SPECIAL EDUCATION ADMINISTRATOR:

· Certification in an area of special education (Speech Language, School Psychologist, Special Education teacher).

· Documentation of coursework and/or experience in school administration.

4. SPECIFIC INFORMATION REGARDING CAREER AND TECHNICAL SPECIALTIES, e. g, Animal Science, Auto Mechanics. Building Construction, Child Services, Electronics, Mechanics, Plumbing, Robotics, TV Production, Welding (Bachelor degree not required):

· Documentation of two (2) years of employer verified work experience in the Career & Technology Specialty area

and official transcripts if the candidate holds an associate degree or higher.

· Documentation of four (4) years of employer verified work experience in the Career & Technology Specialty area

and an official high school diploma if the candidate does not have a college degree.

· Copy of professional/trade license, if applicable.

TDD ACCESS: RELAY NH 711

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER – EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

LJM

May 21, 2008