Option 7
Teacher Certification
The Central Kentucky Educational Cooperative's Teacher Certification Institute offers two alternative teacher certification programs. The Special Education program leads to the Learning and Behavior Disorders P-12 certificate, and the High School program leads to Grades 8-12 certificates in biology, chemistry, English, mathematics, or social studies. Both programs result in a Kentucky teaching certificate valid in any public school district in the state.
Admission Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in teaching area or graduate degree in related area
2.75 GPA (or 3.0 on the last 30 hours of coursework)
3 references (Candidate Disposition Form)
*Note: Those who currently hold a KY Teacher Certification are not eligible for this Program.
Program Overview
2 Learning Environments
virtual seminar sessions led by an instructor
classroom teaching under the supervision of mentor teachers and administrators
2 Curriculum Anchors
EPSB-approved university curricula for classroom/seminar sessions
Kentucky Framework for Teaching in teaching (clinical) setting
Continuous Support
Frequent contact with practicing educators
PRAXIS Exam Tutoring
Mentorship with experienced, effective teacher
How the Program Works
The certification program requires an intensive series of sessions, known at Bootcamp. These in person and online workshops are designed to prepare candidates for classroom teaching assignments. Participants enrolled in the Option 7 Program may begin to work as a classroom teacher for a Kentucky school district. The school district provides a mentor teacher to support the candidate in the field, and TCI coaches observe candidates as another layer of support. Candidates meet with the TCI instructor to further learning in monthly instructional sessions and complete the process with a portfolio defense after the second semester of teaching.
Costs
Candidate Fee
$500 initial deposit
$2,000 before the first session of Bootcamp or five (5) days prior to the first day of a teaching assignment, whichever is earlier
$2,500 within 180 day of the first session of Bootcamp
District Membership Fee
$5,000 per student
Special Education Timeline
13-month learning cycle (280 total hours)
Semester 1
Bootcamp (150 hours)
Semester 2
Saturday seminars and after school sessions (90 hours)
On-Going (both semesters)
Mentor coaching (40 hours)
General Education Timeline
13-month learning cycle (220 total hours)
Semester 1
Bootcamp (90 hours)
Semester 2
Saturday seminars and after school sessions (90 hours)
On-Going (both semesters)
Mentor coaching (40 hours)
Application
You can complete an application to either Option 7 Program by following this link. You can download an application form to complete later or complete the application form online. Similarly, you can direct three references to this page where they complete a form online, or download the form to send to your references.