• Prospective candidates must complete and submit application packets to the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) with all required materials and fees. The endorsement area must be selected from the available list and stated on the application. Candidates may select up to two areas in which to be evaluated. Incomplete packets must be returned to candidates and will delay processing, so please include all items on the checklist.


• Prospective candidates’ applications are evaluated through a transcript review to determine if they meet endorsement requirements. Evaluations can take up to 8 weeks at CDE, therefore, application and transcripts must first be submitted to TILA for a preliminary review. TILA will then submit the materials to CDE after it has been determined that they are complete. If the candidate has already submitted materials to CDE prior to contacting TILA, TILA staff will work with the candidate and CDE to process the enrollment of the candidate into the Alternative Teacher Licensure Program in accordance with all associated policies and regulations.

• CDE’s evaluation will be mailed directly to the candidates. If there is a deficiency, the candidates must complete required coursework prior to entering the program. The candidates must attach copies of the original evaluation when supplying documents or sending transcripts to CDE. Candidates needing more than one course should send all transcripts at one time.

• Sign up for and pass the content area assessment test. CDE accepts test results from the PLACE® assessment, and accepts results from the PRAXIS II exam in some endorsement areas. The test results will automatically be sent to CDE. Practice exams may be found at http://www.place.nesinc.com/CO_viewSG_opener.asp
  

• Once coursework is completed and the content assessment exam is passed, a Statement of Eligibility (SOE) is issued via mail and is accompanied by a list of Designated Agencies. The position(s) for which the candidates are eligible to be employed will be indicated on the SOE. The SOE allows the candidates to seek employment and indicates to Designated Agencies that they are eligible to participate in the program. It is not a license.

• Upon employment, the candidate receives an Alternative Teacher License. The major portion of the candidate’s teaching assignment while in the program must be in the approved endorsement area and at the appropriate level. Candidates are officially in the Alternative Teacher Licensure Program when they sign all appropriate paperwork with the TILA as the Designated Agency (including a Statement of Assurance of Employment—SAE) and receive their Alternative Teacher Licenses.

• Following the successful completion of the program, the TILA as the Designated Agency will complete the necessary CDE forms for the candidate’s three-year Initial License. Candidates do not send in an Initial License applications.

Please contact TILA for additional questions or view the link on the CDE website for answers to the most frequently asked questions about Alternative Teacher Licensure: http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/Licensure_alt1_faq.asp