University
of Illinois at Chicago Office of Public Affairs (MC 288)
601 S. Morgan St., Chicago, IL 60607-7113, (312) 996-3456, www.uic.edu/depts/paff
| August 27, 2001 | Contact:Jeffron Boynés (312) 413-8702; jboynes@uic.edu |
HELPING EASE CHICAGO'S TEACHER SHORTAGE
In response to a growing need for more city teachers, the University of Illinois at Chicago has initiated an alternative certification program for elementary middle-grade mathematics and science teachers desiring to teach in Chicago Public School classrooms.
The Middle-Grade Mathematics/Middle-Grade Science Alternative Certification Program is a partnership between UIC and the Chicago Public Schools. After finishing summer training and passing required state tests, participants may earn an initial alternative teaching certificate allowing them to teach in the following school year.
The goal of MGM/MGS is to recruit new teachers-mostly career-changers who have not earned certification with an education degree-to alleviate shortages in city schools where the need for teachers is particularly acute.
According to Victoria Chou, dean of the UIC College of Education, this alternative route to teaching may help give the city a needed boost in certified math and science middle-grade teachers to staff elementary school classrooms.
"We know that CPS needs to hire 3,000 new teachers for the 2001-2002 school year," said Chou. "We are pleased with the quality of our first class of mathematics teachers, and we are confident they will perform successfully in the classroom."
To be eligible for the program, teacher-candidates must be college graduates and prove their knowledge of the subjects they intend to teach. Once admitted, they are introduced to the world of teaching by experienced UIC faculty and CPS teachers.
The teachers-in-training observe and question CPS teachers working with children. They teach small groups and whole classes while receiving feedback from experienced mentors.
The candidates will begin the upcoming fall term as full-fledged classroom teachers. UIC and CPS mentors will support them in their classrooms and at UIC throughout the school year.
Candidates that successfully complete the courses and teaching assignment are recommended for certification and receive an initial teaching certificate. After completing four years of teaching, they may apply for a standard teaching certificate with a middle-grade endorsement in mathematics or science.
When first announced this spring, the program received 1,000 inquiries from would-be middle-grade math teachers. More than 100 people completed full applications. After meeting the program's competitive entrance standards, the first round of candidates were admitted.
Many of the teachers-in-training already have teaching experience, noted Kathryn Chval, co-director for the MGM/MGS program.
"The first class of candidates will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom," said Chval. "In addition to a strong mathematics background, they are hard-working, committed and humble-qualities that are essential for successful teaching."
UIC will begin recruiting for the first class of middle-grades science teachers this fall, Chou said. "We are very interested in studying the effectiveness of these nontraditional candidates after they enter the teaching profession," she said.
As the number-one source of Chicago Public School teachers, the UIC College of Education has educational partnerships with nearly one third of all Chicago Public Schools. It has an internationally recognized faculty in reading education and offers some of the best professional development for teachers in the nation.
- UIC -