ASU News: New Teacher Certification Program with Howard College
San Angelo, TX (10/20/2022) — Angelo State University has entered into a partnership agreement with Howard College to offer the new Texas 2-Step Teacher Certification Program, which is designed to help address the shortage of public school teachers in the region and the state.
Building on ASU's legacy of graduating high-quality teachers, the Texas 2-Step program focuses on assisting paraprofessionals in public school districts reach their goal of becoming a classroom teacher. ASU is partnering with Howard College to provide paraprofessionals with the foundational coursework and intensive field experience to become classroom-ready teachers, with coursework delivered 100% online.
The program involves two distinct steps:
- Completion of 60 credit hours to earn an Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.) degree from Howard College, followed by a seamless transition to ASU.
- Completion of the remaining 60 credit hours of coursework and field experiences to earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Interdisciplinary Studies - Early Childhood to Grade 6 Generalist with Teacher Certification degree from ASU.
Paraprofessionals who enter the Texas 2-Step program will maintain their employment within their school district while completing their Howard College and ASU curriculum online.
"This exciting partnership allows Angelo State and Howard College to play an active role in assisting Texas school districts fill classrooms with certified teachers who are already invested in their community," said Dr. Scarlet Clouse, dean of ASU's College of Education.
Additional benefits for paraprofessionals in the Texas 2-Step program include:
- Transcript review and degree planning assistance
- Structured support and mentorship from their school district and ASU personnel
- Eligibility for financial aid through a variety of sources
- Specialized preparation for TExES teacher certification exams
For the Texas 2-Step program, paraprofessionals are "aides" or "educational aides" who work in schools alongside classroom teachers. They can take on a variety of roles, depending on the needs of the district.
More details on the Texas 2-Step program are available at angelo.edu/Texas-2-step.
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Media Attachments
ASU President Ronnie Hawkins Jr. and Howard College President Cheryl Sparks