Texas Adult Education Credential Project
As the summer of 2008 draws to a close, Credential Project staff members want to share an update on participation in the Teacher and Administrator Credentials with the field. For the Teacher Credential, 64 practitioners have submitted all the documentation required to start the credential process and have accumulated varying numbers of points toward the required 150 points. Thirty-five more have submitted a letter declaring their intent to pursue a Teacher Credential. Nine have completed the full Texas Teacher Credential and five are making substantial progress toward finishing.
Six administrators completed the Texas Adult Education Administrator Credential as members of the original Pilot Group in February 2008. The 11 participants in the Expanded Pilot Group are testing the enhancements made in CredITS (Credential Information Tracking System) – the electronic environment where administrators submit materials into their electronic portfolios and track their progress toward a Credential.
The Expanded Pilot closed on September 26. The Credential Project staff will review the results of the pilot based on feedback from the 11 administrators and input from additional sources. Sometime in early fall, the Texas Adult Education Administrator Credential will be opened statewide to those administrators identified in TEAMS (Texas Educating Adults Management System) and approved by Texas LEARNS as eligible to participate—current assignments as Administrators, Directors and Instructional Coordinators.
So, why would you, as an adult education practitioner, invest your time and energy pursuing a Teacher Credential or an Administrator Credential? There would have to be a pretty compelling reason, right?
The highest reward for achieving either the Teacher Credential or the Administrator Credential is intrinsic: adult education practitioners and administrators get a credential because they want to be better teachers and better administrators. Texas Association for Adult and Literacy Education (TALAE) has generously agreed to award a stipend of $100 to each of the first 200 teachers or administrators who complete a Credential. But beyond that one-time stipend, there are no guaranteed extrinsic rewards other than becoming a better professional and increasing the opportunity to move beyond part time teacher status. So the real bottom line is: Earning a credential is essentially about the internal drive to keep pushing forward, to continually improve, to get as close as possible to achieving your full potential as a teacher or administrator.
Teachers have said they value a Teacher Credential for the following reasons: 1) personal growth, 2) promote professional improvement, 3) establish minimum acceptable standards for the field of adult education, 4) acknowledge the adult educators professional dedication and achievements, 5) potential for additional professional opportunities, 6) revitalization, 7) increase teacher retention, 8) increase student retention, and 9) increase student achievement.
The goals stated for the Administrator Credential closely reflect the above list and include the following: 1) establish guidelines for effective practice, 2) provide direction for new administrators, 3) create collaborative learning environments, 4) encourage support and mentorship of new administrators, 5) validate the work of experienced administrators, 6) encourage formative assessment and reflective practice, 7) stimulate professional growth, 8) revitalize experienced administrators, 9) increase teacher retention and effectiveness, and 10) increase student retention and achievement.
Globally, the two lists above reflect the overarching intent of both the Teacher Credential and the Administrator Credential to professionalize the field of adult education. On this point, the literature on professional development clearly shows that the more practitioners are engaged in long-term, sustained, quality professional development that they subsequently apply, the better their performance. Better performance yields stronger programs. Stronger programs bespeak a higher level of professionalization. Or, as the famous adage states: When the tide comes in, all ships rise.
Although the two Texas credentials are structured somewhat differently, they share some common basic elements. Both credentials are available to novices as well as seasoned practitioners. Both credentials lead participants to learn not only what to do and how, but also why. Both credentials rely heavily on a reflective process, that is, application of new skills and knowledge, then reflection on results with a view toward changing approaches in order to improve outcomes. Both credentials provide a systematic pathway to meaningful professional growth. Both credentials provide a way to get the maximum benefit from professional development hours (for teachers) and administrative activities (for administrators) by framing them into a cohesive, personal plan for professional growth. Both credentials provide a lens for solving problems with new knowledge and skills. Both credentials are voluntary.
Getting started on the Teacher or Administrator Credential is easy. To begin either Credential, participants must submit a signed letter of intent and a signed letter of support from their supervisor, and must get a TEASE (Texas Education Agency Secure Environment) account so they can access CredITS. Your supervisor or administrator will be responsible for providing you access to CredITS once Texas LEARNS and Texas Education Agency approve your request. The CredITS database is administered by Texas LEARNS. Teachers have the added requirement to submit a draft, written professional development plan. The Teacher Credential requires attending a Professional Development Planning Workshop—available through your Regional GREAT Center. The Administrator Credential requires an Introductory Activity, completed via distance education.
Fall 2008 is a great time for you to make the commitment to get going toward a Texas Credential. For details:
- Visit our website: (www.tei.education.txstate.edu/credential/)
- Or, give us a call toll free: 866-798-8767
- Or, send us an email: aecredential@txstate.edu
About the Author
Ken Stedman launched a career in adult education in 1969 as a trainer for the Texas Adult Basic Education Guidance & Counseling Project. Through the years, he has staffed several national and statewide special projects and currently is Project Director for the Texas Adult Education Credential Project. In the early 1970’s, Ken traveled Texas assisting Adult Education Co-op directors in preparing for the newly required comprehensive annual program plan.
