Alternative License Program

The following is a description of how Colorado's Alternative License Program works:

The Alternative License Program in Colorado is a great way to become a teacher. The traditional route to becoming a teacher is to earn your license while in college through majoring in education, doing student teaching, etc. The Alternative Program is designed for people who did not take this route but still want to break into teaching as a profession.

The Alternative License Program is a form of on-the-job-training. If you majored in the subject area you want to teach, or were able to earn 30 hours in that subject, this program could be perfect for you. The program works well if you plan to teach in math, science or music (areas where teachers are in short supply). On the other hand, it will not offer much hope for subjects like Elementary or Social Studies. The program also works well if you are ready to relocate at a moments notice to wherever the opportunity might be, regardless of location. If you fit these criteria, it is possible for you to be hired and start teaching right away. The program lasts about 9 months (one school year); when finished you will have a license and a year of experience and you can stay put or take your new found marketability just about anywhere you want!

Before you are hired, or after you are hired in some cases, you will need to pass a content specific exam (a test of your math knowledge, if that is the content area you are going after). This exam is not related to teaching and you don’t need to have taken education classes in order to pass this exam. This exam is known as a PLACE test or a Praxis II exam. These exams are not easy, but if you have 30 hours in the area in question, this will likely be no problem.

During your time in the Alternative Program, you will be supported in your efforts to become a great teacher with some or all of the following, and more: Taking education classes that fit around your work schedule, learning from an experienced teacher in your school who is assigned as your mentor, and developing a professional portfolio (that can be used to market you for future jobs).

Additional Q+A:

Q. What is the first step in this process?

A. It works best if you start by lining up your SOE (Statement of Eligibility).

Q. What is an SOE?

A. Think of it like a hunting license.  It tells the world (schools in particular) that you are pre-approved to seek a teaching job in a particular content area.  It also means that if hired you are qualified for entry into an alternative license program.

Q. How do I get my SOE?

A. Contact CDE (Colorado Dept of Ed), for they are the ones who issue SOEs.  They have an application process.  Visit the CDE web site for more info and an application.

Q. Can I proceed without an SOE? 

A. Yes, but this is only advisable if you have attained HQ (Highly Qualified) status in a high need area like Mathematics.  Math teachers are in such high demand that schools are forced to hire unlicensed teachers and even teachers who do not yet posses their SOE. An example of this would be a math major who decides to seek a math teaching job in July (much too late to expect CDE to process an SOE application in time for the upcoming school year).  This candidate has the hours within the content area, and could pass the content test if given the opportunity.  A school might well hire this Highly Qualified teacher if the teacher had a plan for licensure.  That plan might be to take a final mathematics class online while teaching, and to take the PLACE test the next time it is available.  That teacher could then have their SOE well before the end of the school year and be ready for the Alternative Program the following year.

Q. Is it easier to attain the status of being HQ (Highly Qualified) than to get an SOE? 

A. Yes, HQ requires fewer hours (24) than getting an SOE (30).  Not to mention that the 30 hours required for an SOE can be quite exact (it's not just a sheer number of hours, you need specific and sometimes obscure classes).  You can also attain HQ status by simply passing the content knowledge test, whereas to get an SOE you need the hours AND the test BOTH. 

Q. Can I proceed without being HQ? 

A. The short answer is no.  The long answer is maybe under very unusual circumstances.  Occasionally a school with hire someone, in a high need area, who has a sub license and give them a long term subbing position (meant to convert later to a permanent position) if they believe they have no other option and feel that this teacher will work toward licensure over time.

Q. When is the right time to select your alternative licensure program?

A. For the most part, you can wait until you have been hired. For now, let your main concern be your job hunt and finding the right position for you. Nonetheless, we recommend that you read the rest of this page so that you can feel confident that you will have good solid options when it comes to selecting an alternative license program that will work well for you. This holds true no matter who hires you or where you are located.

Q. How can I come up with the money to pay for the program?

A.  Some employers will pay for the program up-front and allow you to pay them back out of your pay check. Furthermore, since you will receive college credit (and sometimes even master level credit), there is no reason not to consider utilizing financial aid components such as student loans to help pay for the program. 

Q. How do I find an alternative program in my area?

A. Usually your new employer will want to select your licensure program, and they will help you get signed up.

Teachers who go through this program come out the other side with a year of contract teaching experience and a license. These teachers are highly marketable at this point, especially if they are teaching in a high demand area (e.g. math). Colorado Learning LLC can help you navigate this course. Call us today to start moving toward your dream of being a teacher 303-832-3499.