To complete the program, each candidate must successfully complete all coursework, field-based experiences, certification exams, and intern teaching year.  Once success has been achieved with these tasks, the candidate will then be recommended for a standard teaching certificate.

Coursework, observations, and certification testing will be completed during a 6-month period (January – June).

The Intern Year of teaching will be completed the following school year (July – May).  This Intern Year is paid as a first-year teacher and is eligible for benefits.

The cost to complete the Katy ISD TEA⁺CH ACP is $3,000.  Upon successful completion of the intern year and a signed contract to remain teaching with Katy ISD for an additional TWO years, the candidate will be refunded the amount of $1,500.

Additionally, the candidate will be responsible for the following fees:

          Individual Content Test

                    Core Subjects EC-6 - $116

                    Core Subjects 4-8 - $116

                    Science of Teaching Reading - $136

          PPR Test - $116

          Fingerprinting - $49

          Intern Certificate - $78

          Standard Certificate - $78

          TEA Technology Fee - $35

$1,500 will be due prior to the first day of coursework in January.  This can be paid with a credit card using the Katy Pay & Go app on the website.  Current Katy ISD employees may choose to have the amount deducted from their paycheck.

The remaining $1,500 will not be due until candidates begin their internship earning a teacher salary.  Payments may be deducted from the Katy ISD paycheck over the course of the internship year.

Candidates seeking financial assistance may qualify for the PEO Program for Continuing Education, designed to support women pursuing education or certification to enhance their employable skills and support themselves and their families. Information on how to apply for this scholarship can be found on the scholarship page of this website. 

Applicants in their final semester of coursework before graduating with a bachelor’s degree may be considered for admission to the Katy ISD TEA⁺CH ACP on a contingency basis. 

Applicants with a conferred undergraduate (bachelor’s) or graduate (master’s or doctorate) degree at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States, not including US Territories, do not need to take the TOEFL-iBT. Passing scores are a minimum score of 24 on the speaking portion, 22 on the listening portion, 22 on the reading portion, and 21 on the writing portion.  Please note that the TOEFL-iBT test results are only valid for two (2) years.

Coursework meetings on Tuesday and Thursday start at 5:30 and may go as late as 9:00 p.m. Coursework held on Saturdays will start at 8:00 a.m. and may go as late as 5 p.m. All coursework will be held at the Professional Development Annex located at 6301 S Stadium Lane. Attendance for the entire duration of each face-to-face class is required. If you cannot commit to this, the program may not be the right fit for you.

The Katy ISD TEA⁺CH ACP has scheduled the coursework sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings (and some Saturdays) to allow our candidates the ability to work while completing the program.  

All candidates will be expected to attend full-day sessions for three weeks in the month of June, as well as six to seven days of observation throughout the spring (January – April).

All candidates in the Katy ISD TEA⁺CH ACP are required to complete the internship in a Katy ISD school.  Candidates will complete the online teaching application, attend the Katy ISD teacher fair, and interview to obtain a teaching position with the district.

Currently, the Katy ISD TEA⁺CH ACP is not offering a SPED certification.  However, we will provide you with guidance to obtain this certification in collaboration with the Katy ISD SPED department once you obtain your standard certificate.

For day-to-day substitutes, field-based experiences cannot be completed while working as a substitute teacher. Long-term substitutes who have worked for at least 30 consecutive days during the current school year may earn up to 2 days of campus-based experience. The substitute position does not need to align with the certification being pursued by the candidate. The Katy ISD TEA⁺CH ACP will collect documentation of the candidate's experience, including a written reflection.

All candidates will receive access to an online platform for test preparation as part of the Katy ISD TEA⁺CH Alternative Certification Program.

No, Katy ISD TEA⁺CH ACP does not sponsor visa work permits.

No, Katy ISD TEA⁺CH ACP will allow candidates to train in only one teaching certification field.  After you receive your standard teaching certificate, you may add additional certifications through the testing process.