In accordance with Ala. Code § 16-23-3.1 (1975), the Alabama State Board of Education (State BOE) modified its policies relative to the certification of teachers who have completed an alternative teacher preparation pathway through a State BOE-approved alternative teacher preparation organization. Enrollment in or completion of an approved pathway will permit the issuance of:

1. 1. An alternative certificate in an available teaching field and grade level to those qualified individuals who are enrolled in an approved pathway, and

2. 2. A Professional Educator Certificate in an available teaching field and grade level to those qualified individuals who successfully complete an approved pathway.

   Alabama colleges and universities may also participate in this alternative preparation pathway.

3. 3. Database of State BOE-Approved ATPOs. The State Superintendent of Education shall maintain a database of State BOE-approved ATPOs as a means for screening, recruiting, and recommending for certification qualified individuals to teach in the Alabama public K-12 schools.

4. 4. ATPO Requirements for Approval. To request State BOE approval, the ATPO shall submit a complete application which must include all items in Option 1, Option 2, or Option 3.

   1. a. Option 1.

      1. i. Documentation of successful operation in at least five states and verification that the ATPO is not on probation or under investigation in any of those states. This requirement does not apply to Alabama colleges and universities with State-approved programs.
      2. ii. Documentation of successful operation of an alternative teacher education preparation pathway for at least 10 years. This requirement does not apply to Alabama colleges and universities with State-approved programs.
      3. iii. Documentation of successfully certifying at least 10,000 teachers in the United States. This requirement does not apply to Alabama colleges and universities with State-approved programs.
   2. b. Option 2. Documentation that the ATPO is approved by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
   3. c. Option 3. Documentation that the ATPO is approved by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). To use this option, the ATPO must have begun an application with CAEP by April 1, 2024. Option 3 expires October 1, 2026.
5. 5. Approval. ATPO applications shall be approved by the State BOE prior to implementation.

6. 6. Available Teaching Fields and Grade Level(s).

   Grades K-12
   Arabic	Latin
   Chinese	Music/ Choral
   English for Speakers of Other Languages	Music/ Instrumental
   French	Russian
   German	Spanish
   Italian	Theatre
   Japanese	Visual Arts
   Korean
   Grades 6-12
   Agriscience Education	Family and Consumer Sciences Education
   Algebra I	General Science
   Biology	General Social Science
   Business/Marketing Education	Geography
   Career Technologies	Health Education
   Chemistry	History
   Collaborative Special Education Teacher	Mathematics
   Computer Science	Physical Education
   English Language Arts	Physics
   Grades 4-8
   English Language Arts	General Science
   General Social Science	Mathematics
   Grades K-6
   Collaborative Special Education Teacher	Elementary Education
   Grades P-3
   Early Childhood Education

7. 7. Testing Requirements. Individuals seeking alternative or professional certification through a State BOE-approved ATPO must successfully meet prescribed subject area, pedagogy, and Foundations of Reading assessments by meeting requirements in Option 1 or Option 2. The Foundations of Reading assessment is required for Grades K-6 Collaborative Special Education Teacher, Grades K-6 Elementary Education, and Grades P-3 Early Childhood Education.

   1. a. Option 1. Pass the current Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program (AECAP) approved Praxis subject area, pedagogy assessment(s), and Foundations of Reading assessment for the appropriate teaching field and grade level(s).
   2. b. Option 2. Pass the subject area, pedagogy assessment(s), and Foundations of Reading assessment provided by or utilized by the ATPO. Prior to this being used as an option, the ALSDE must determine if the assessments are substantially aligned with Alabama standards. Any costs associated with this analysis are the responsibility of the alternative teacher preparation organization.

8. 8. Applicant Requirements for an Alternative Certificate.

   1. a. Successful criminal history background check by both the Alabama State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the ALSDE.
   2. b. Verification of United States citizenship or lawful presence in the United States.
   3. c. Hold a bachelor’s or higher degree from a senior institution that was accredited at the time the degree was earned.
   4. d. Recommendation for an alternative certificate in the appropriate teaching field and grade level(s) by the employing Alabama county/city superintendent. The recommendation must include the classroom schedule verifying appropriate in-field placement, and participation in the Alabama Teacher Mentoring Program (ATMP).
   5. e. Verification from the ATPO of successful program admission/enrollment and a comprehensive outline of all required courses and modules for the appropriate teaching field and grade level(s).
   6. f. Verification of current passing scores on the approved subject area assessment(s).

   7. g. Up to three one-year alternative certificates based on this pathway may be held.

      1. i. All alternative certificates under this pathway must be held within four scholastic years from the July 1 beginning date of the first certificate.
      2. ii. An individual may not be employed for more than three scholastic years based on holding an alternative certificate of any combination or any type.

9. 9. Applicant Requirements for the Professional Educator Certificate.

   1. a. Successful criminal history background check conducted by both the SBI and the FBI through the ALSDE.
   2. b. Verification of United States citizenship or lawful presence in the United States.
   3. c. Hold a bachelor’s or higher degree from a senior institution that was accredited at the time the degree was earned.
   4. d. Recommended for a Professional Educator Certificate in the appropriate teaching field and grade level(s) by the ATPO. The recommendation must include verification of successful pathway completion and a comprehensive outline of all required courses and modules for the appropriate teaching field and grade level(s).
   5. e. Verification of current passing scores on the approved subject area and pedagogy assessment(s).

10. 10. Compliance with the U.S. Department of Education Regulations. This Rule applies to Grades K-6 and 6-12 Collaborative Special Education Teacher. In addition to meeting pathway requirements, the ATPO must ensure:

    1. a. The individual is provided with high-quality professional development that is sustained, intensive, and classroom-focused to have a positive and lasting impact on classroom instruction, before and while teaching.
    2. b. The individual participates in a program with intensive supervision that consists of structured guidance.
    3. c. The individual demonstrates satisfactory progress toward full certification.
11. 11. Progress Report. The approved organization shall annually submit a progress report detailing the number of individuals who completed the program during the year and verification of continued compliance with Rule 290-3-3-.45 (Alabama State Department of Education, EPP and Program Approval, and Innovative Programs).

12. 12. Termination and Reviews.

    1. a. The State Superintendent of Education reserves the right to require special reviews in response to the adoption of new laws standards, significant changes to existing standards, or evidence of contributing factors.
    2. b. The State Superintendent of Education reserves the right to rescind approval of an approved ATPO for noncompliance with this rule.

13. 13. General Information.

    1. a. The alternative certificate and the Professional Educator Certificate will be issued at the bachelor’s degree level as all other alternative certificates.
    2. b. An individual who is issued a Professional Educator Certificate pursuant to this Rule may apply for certificate renewal and shall in all other respects be treated in the same manner as an individual who holds a Professional Educator Certificate granted upon successful completion of traditional, in-state teaching certification programs.

Author: Dr. Eric G. Mackey

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§16-3-16, 16-23-14, and 16-23-3.1.

Editor’s Note: Previous Rule .47 was renumbered .46 per certification published August 31, 2021; effective October 15, 2021.

History: New Rule: December 19, 1978. Amended: December 13, 1990; effective February 1, 1991. Repealed and Replaced: January 9, 1997; effective February 13, 1997; operative July 1, 1997. Amended: Filed June 14, 1999; effective July 19, 1999. Repealed and New Rule: Filed September 11, 2003; effective October 16, 2003. Repealed and New Rule: Filed July 13, 2004; effective August 17, 2004. Repealed and New Rule: April 14, 2005; effective May 19, 2005. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 6, 2007; effective September 10, 2007. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 3, 2009; effective September 7, 2009; operative October 1, 2009. Amended: Filed June 15, 2012; effective July 20, 2012. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 13, 2015; effective September 17, 2015. Amended: Filed September 13, 2018; effective October 28, 2018; operative June 1, 2019. Repealed and New Rule: Published August 31, 2021; effective October 15, 2021. Repealed and New Rule: Published March 31, 2025; effective May 15, 2025.