ASSESSMENT BENCHMARKS FOR AN ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

The Accelerate Online/OPTIONS alternative certification program provides those possessing a degree an option leading to certification that can be completed in 18 months. The program consists of an online curriculum, an early field experience, and a year-long paid internship. To determine program effectiveness across five years, five benchmark ratios were established and calculated each year as formative assessment markers. These ratios are: Applications/Inquiries; Candidates/Applications; Field Placements/Candidates; Teachers Certified/Candidates; and Teachers Retained/Teachers Certified. These benchmarks have provided informative quantitative markers for annually assessing protocols that were developed and applied in implementing this program. Funding for the program was provided by the Transition To Teaching Program, U.S. Department of Education Project (S350A020027), the Houston Endowment Foundation, Inc and participant fees.