The Development and Implementation of an Online Professional Development Model for Pre-Service Teacher Education.

Accelerate Online/OPTIONS is a three component program for certifying secondary mathematics and science teachers in Texas. Accelerate Online/OPTIONS provides those possessing or pursuing science degrees with an online program of education that can be completed in 12-18 months. The On-line Curriculum consists of 35 online modules developed to engage the candidate with issues identified as necessary for a beginning teacher by the Texas Board of Educator Certification. The Field Based Experience consists of a 40 clock-hour supervised teaching field experience in a secondary school during the initial phase of the program. The final program component is a paid internship where candidates are supported by a trained mentor and a university supervisor, who guides, observes and provides constructive feedback to the interns during their yearlong development as a beginning teacher. Continuing supports offered in this program include on-going communications and an ePortfolio resource provided via the eZone portal, and the availability of mentor teacher advice for former program participants continuing to teach in the position that they held during their internship experience. Over three years the applicants have increased four fold. Viewing the preparation of teachers as the initial step of a career long professional development program for teachers is logical, but it is not the conventional view held by