American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence

The  Pennsylvania Department of Education has implemented a procedure for candidates holding the ABCTE certificate issued by the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence to obtain an Instructional I certificate in the following content areas: 

• Elementary Education (must be completed by Aug. 2013)
  
• Secondary Education/Biology
• Secondary Education/Chemistry
• Secondary Education/English
• Secondary Education/General Science
• Secondary Education/Mathematics
  
• Secondary Education/Physics
  

For more information, visit www.abcte.org/teach/pennsylvania.

The ABCTE Certificate allows the candidate to apply for a Temporary Teaching Permit (TTP) which is valid only for the first year of teaching.  During that year, the candidate must complete a state-approved mentoring program and two graduate courses.  Point Park University is the approved mentoring institution for the state of Pennsylvania.

Mentoring Program

The flowchart below lists the procedures that must be followed in order to complete the mentoring process through Point Park University.  Any questions should be directed to Ken Mori at abctementor@pointpark.edu.

Retreats/Seminars

Point Park University is the only PDE approved provider of the retreats/seminars associated with the ABCTE Program.  The retreats/seminars will be delivered as a part of the mentoring process (as described in the flowchart above) at no additional charge to the candidate. 

Mentoring Fees

• An initial University Fee of $2250 (effective 5/1/09) must be paid before the mentoring process begins.
• The candidate will be responsible for all costs incurred by the supervisor during the mentoring process (travel, hotel, food, etc.) for a minimum of four visits.
• Supervision travel fees will be calculated on an individual basis.  The fees will be based on mileage to the candidate's placement site, an average hotel rate per night and a daily allowance for food.  This amount will be multiplied by four visits.  The candidate will be billed the amount determined prior to the first mentoring visit.

• Supervision travel fees will be no less than $1000 and no more than $3000.

Graduate Coursework

ABCTE candidates are required to complete six credits of graduate coursework in order to fulfill the requirements for certification.  Point Park University is the only university approved by PDE to deliver this coursework.

Candidates may complete the required graduate credits either online or on-campus (dependent on the candidate's preference and proximity to the university).

For information regarding graduate studies in Point Park's Department of Education, please contact Dr. Richard Gutkind.
     
There are two online courses currently available:

EDUC 560 - Differentiated Teaching and Learning
This course will explore the range of human behavior commencing with characteristics of typical behavior to that of the behaviorally challenged.  Course topics will include:  normal and abnormal human development, IDEIA Reauthorization, federal and PDE regulations, IEP development and functional behavioral assessment, state assessment policies, alternative education services for disruptive youth, etc.

EDUC 561 - The Reflective Practitioner
This course provides practicing educators with the opportunity to develop their ability to become reflective practitioners who practice the continuous improvement of instruction in the classroom.  This course will provide students with an in-depth look at the four domains of teaching and learning practices, as defined in Charlotte Danielson's Framework for Teaching model.  The course analyzes experiences in each of the domains and components of the Framework, including planning, preparation, and assessment; classroom environment; instruction; and professional responsibility.  Students examine relevant research-based practice appropriate to each domain area.

Please see our on-campus graduate course listings.

Applying for Graduate Coursework

When completing the Application for Mentoring, ABCTE candidates should also apply for non-degree admission to Point Park University. 

• An online application must be completed. Please provide a valid email address to assist with completing the registration process.
• Where students are asked for academic goal/status/major, please check non-degree.
• In the comments section at the bottom, please state that you are an ABCTE candidate.

Graduate Course Fees and Payment

Please see our Tuition and Costs page for the most recent information regarding graduate tuition credit costs.

Students enrolled in the ABCTE Program are not eligible for funds administered through the University since the program does not meet the criteria for eligibility for federal, state or private sources of funding. This includes the following: University funds, PHEAA state grant funds, Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP), Direct Student Loans (DL) and any private student loan program. 

The University offers a Tuition Payment Plan that ABCTE Program students may consider.  Students who do not make satisfactory arrangements to pay tuition and other charges will be assessed non-refundable late fees until such time that all charges are paid in full.  In addition, all academic transcripts and records will not be released until all charges are paid in full.

For information on payment plans, please contact the Office of Student Accounts at studentaccounts@pointpark.edu.

Forms and Link to PA Teacher Certification (TIMS)

Below are the forms that will be used during the mentoring process and the link to TIMS for PA Teacher Certification.

• Application for Mentoring Checklist
• Placement Verification Form
• Statement of Financial Responsibility
• Release of PDE 430
• Application for PA Certification (TIMS)