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Alternative Certification for Effective Teachers (ACET)
- The next cohort application deadline will be August 15, 2022.
Information sessions feature a formal presentation on the ACET program and a brief time for questions.
After you register for the Zoom session using the provided link, you will receive log-on information.
Information Session: Tuesday, June 21, 6:30 p.m. - Register here.
Information Session: Monday, July 18, 6:30 p.m. - Register here
Can't make these sessions? View the recorded information session below.
Montgomery College and Montgomery County Public Schools have partnered to offer an innovative teacher preparation program for talented individuals who wish to change careers and become teachers in MCPS secondary schools.
This competitive admissions program is designed to address MCPS needs for excellent teachers in high demand fields. Subject areas may vary from year to year depending on MCPS needs and teacher shortage areas and include areas such as:
- Secondary: Chemistry, Computer Science, English, Mathematics, Physics,
Technology Education - Middle School: Mathematics and Science
- World Languages: French and Spanish (placement in middle and high schools, with Pre K-12 certification)
Potential candidates must have:
- at least a bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.75
- expertise in their selected teaching field as supported by course work / experience / test scores
- earned required scores on basic skills testing and the content exam (Praxis or ACTFL) in their desired field at the time of application
If you have a bachelor's degree and wish to become a teacher but the ACET program is not for you, see Alternate Paths to Teacher Certification in Maryland.
Following a competitive admissions process, selected candidates join a cohort for 10 to 12 weeks of intensive coursework, followed by a five-week teaching internship, and a one-year supervised teaching residency in MCPS with full pay and benefits.
Teaching Institute
The instructional component of ACET includes 10 to 12 weeks of intensive coursework, with classes meeting most Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings and some Saturdays. The Teaching Institute utilizes blended instruction, including face to face and distance learning, and includes performance based activities, development, planning, and delivery of instruction.
It is composed of eight modules, based on the InTASC standards, which include human development, learning theories, secondary methods, secondary assessments, diversity, students with exceptions, and collaboration and communication. Students will also enroll in READ 238, Literacy in the Content Area, Part I , if not previously completed.
The following textbooks are required:
Carjuzaa, J. & Kellough, R. (2012). Teaching in the Middle and Secondary Schools (10th Ed.)Boston, MA: Pearson
Taylor, R., Smiley, L. & Richards, S. (2015). Exceptional students: preparing teachers for the 21st. century. (2nd ed.) Pearson: Boston
Saphier, J., Haley-Speca, M. & Gower, R. (2008). The skillful teacher: Building your teaching skills (6th ed.). Acton: MA: Research for Better Teaching Inc.
Thompson, J. (2013). First-year teacher’s survival guide. (3rd Ed.) San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
For World Language Candidates only:
Hadley, A. (2001). Teaching language in context. (3rd ed.) Heile/Cengage: USA
Recommended Texts:
DiAngelo, R. (2018) White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism. Beacon Press: MA.
Kendi, I. X. (2019). How to be an Antiracist. One World: NY.
Kozol, J. (1991). Savage inequalities: Children in America’s schools . Crown Publishers, Inc.: NY
Note About Textbooks: Textbooks are not available in the College bookstores; the best way to obtain them is via an online book source. Additional readings and other resources will be assigned during the institute.
A five to eight week unpaid internship is offered following successful completion
of the Teaching
Institute, with candidates assigned to MCPS at either the middle or high school level.
During the first week candidates observe in their placement classrooms. For the next
few weeks they teach with frequent observation and feedback from Montgomery College
School of Education faculty with experience in supervising student teachers.
After successful completion of the internship, candidates will interview for paid positions in MCPS. Once candidates are placed, intensive mentoring and supervision along with a regular cohort seminar provide strong support for each teacher candidate.
Residents must also successfully complete the appropriate Praxis Pedagogy exam and
READ 239, Literacy in the Content Area, Part II
at MC or equivalent professional development course in MCPS. At the end of a satisfactory
resident year, candidates will be awarded the MSDE Standard Professional Certificate
I.
Follow these step-by-step directions to apply for the ACET program.
- Take Required Tests or Provide Test Scores: You must provide evidence of passing BOTH the Basic Skills Test (any one of the options
listed there) AND the specified Content Knowledge Test for your teaching area in order
to be considered for entry into the ACET program.
- Basic Skills Requirement: Present qualifying scores at or above the minimum on ONE of the following. Copies
of SAT/ACT/GRE/Praxis I/Core reports are acceptable for basic skills test evidence.
-
SAT taken after January 1, 2019, math and critical reading total score of 1180 OR
-
SAT taken BETWEEN April 1995 and December 2018, math and verbal/critical reading total score of 1100 OR]
-
SAT taken before April 1995, math and verbal total score of 1000 OR
- ACT composite score of 24 OR
- GRE taken before September 1, 2011, composite score of 1000 OR
- GRE taken after September 1, 2011, composite score of 297 OR
- Praxis I (Pre-Professional Skills Test) taken before September 1, 2014, composite score of 527 OR
- Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Test, with the following individual component
scores:
Reading: 156
Writing: 162
Mathematics: 150
-
- Content Knowledge Test:
- For all certification Areas EXCEPT World Languages: Successfully complete the Praxis Subject Assessment in your subject area. These computer-delivered
tests are available during specific time windows on a monthly basis. See ETS websitenew window for more details. Be sure to indicate that scores should be sent to Montgomery College,
recipient code 5422. See the chart below for specific test numbers and names:
Specific test numbers and names To be certified in: Take this Praxis subject assessment: Test Code Qualifying Score Middle School Mathematics Middle School Mathematics (On-screen calculator provided) 5164 157 Middle School Science Middle School Science 5442 152 Chemistry Chemistry: Content Knowledge 5245 153 Computer Science Computer Science: Content Knowledge 5652 149 English English Language Arts: Content and Analysis 5039 168 Mathematics Mathematics: Content Knowledge (On-screen graphing calculator provided) 5165 159 Physics Physics: Content Knowledge 5265 143 Technology Education Technology Education 5051 159 -
For World Languages certification: Successfully complete the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI or OPIc) and the Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) in your desired language, given through the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Intermediate high scores or higher on each test are required for qualification. For more information and to schedule testing, go to the LTI website.
- For all certification Areas EXCEPT World Languages: Successfully complete the Praxis Subject Assessment in your subject area. These computer-delivered
tests are available during specific time windows on a monthly basis. See ETS websitenew window for more details. Be sure to indicate that scores should be sent to Montgomery College,
recipient code 5422. See the chart below for specific test numbers and names:
- Basic Skills Requirement: Present qualifying scores at or above the minimum on ONE of the following. Copies
of SAT/ACT/GRE/Praxis I/Core reports are acceptable for basic skills test evidence.
- Contact program assistant Fern Duncan at fern.duncan@montgomerycollege.edu to be connected to schools for classroom visits (unless you are already an MCPS support staff member in a middle or high school.) Reflections on these visits (or on your work experiences if you are in MCPS) are a required component of the application.
- Submit the following electronically to the ACET program as described below:
- Completed Application Evaluation Registration Form (PDF,) (unless you have applied previously)
- Completed ACET Application Form (PDF,) attaching responses to essay questions provided.
- Updated resume including employment history and educational background, emphasizing any experience in teaching or work enhancing your ability to teach adolescents.
[Note that PDF forms must be downloaded and saved first before being completed electronically, saved and then submitted.] - Submit Transcripts: Have official college transcripts sent to the address below (NOT to the MC Admissions
Office). Transcripts should include coursework, credit hours, overall GPA, and date
of completion of degree. Note: Coursework completed outside the U.S. must first be
officially evaluated by one of the MSDE approved agencies.
- Submit Professional References: Have two references from former or current employers emailed directly to the Montgomery
College School of Education. They must use the ACET Professional Reference Form (PDF,
) .
All items should be submitted either by mail to:
ACET Program
Attn: Debra Poese, School of Education
Montgomery College
51 Mannakee Street, SV 406E
Rockville, MD 20850
Or electronically to ACET@montgomerycollege.edu
We recommend that you keep a copy of all documents for your records. After consideration
by the Selection Committee, qualified candidates will be contacted to schedule an
interview.
The ACET program costs currently total approximately $11,000 for in-state students, and approximately $16,400 for out-of-state students.
See the chart below for a breakdown of the costs and when each portion is due. Tuition and fees listed here are as of July 1, 2019, and are subject to change pending annual budget approvals. Books and supplies are additional.
Program Component | Cost for In-State Students (Total includes tuition and fees) | Cost for Out-of-State Students (Total includes tuition and fees) | Due |
---|---|---|---|
ACET Applicant Evaluation Fee | $60.00 | $60.00 | With application |
Teaching Institute (Coursework) | $5,490.00 | $7,790.00 | In three blocks of module registration over the span of the Teaching Institute |
Montgomery College CREDIT Application Fee (required ONLY for new Montgomery College credit students) | $25.00 | $25.00 | Before registration for READ 238/239 |
READ 238 and 239, Secondary Reading requirement (exempted if courses were taken previously) |
Per Course: |
Per Course: $1,243.20 |
Before the beginning of the semester in which the courses are taken |
Internship (five weeks standard) |
$3,750.00 |
$4,800.00 | Before beginning of internship |
Fall Residency Seminar |
$416.00 |
$641.00 | August of resident year |
Spring Residency Seminar |
$416.00 |
$641.00 | January of resident year |
TOTAL for all components |
$11,102.60 |
$16,443.40 |
ACET is a Maryland Approved Alternative Preparation Program.
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Debra PoeseDirector, Teacher Education Partnerships