Transition to Teaching in Ag/FCS
(Agricultural/Family & Consumer Sciences)
Alternative Certification Program
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Department of Agricultural Sciences
(903)886-5350

Fact Sheet

Admission and Retention

Participants must have a bachelor's or master's degree with specific course work in teaching field. Other admission criteria would include:
a. Overall GPA of 2.75 or 3.00 on the last 60 hours completed. Students with a 2.50 overall GPA may be admitted on a probationary basis. Student's with a master's degree must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on graduate course work.
b. Minimum of 2.75 in teaching field or 3.0 on the advanced hours
c. Minimum GRE score of 750 (verbal and quantitative) or 250 on TASP/THEA Reading. Basic math skills will be evident from a grade of "B" or better in College Algebra, Statistics, Trigonometry, Precalculus, or General Chemistry. Students not meeting one of these standards will have to score a 230 on TASP Math. Evidence of writing skills will be satisfied with a grade of "B" or better in an English composition course, otherwise students will have to score 230 on THEA Writing. Students that are exempt from TASP/THEA due to TAAS/TAKS scores or ACT scores will be exempt from all skill requirements, except reading.
Participant progress will be monitored and students must complete courses on schedule and maintain a GPA at or above the admission criteria to remain in the program.

Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES)

Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility (8-12)

All participants must pass the TExES PPR (8-12) prior to obtaining standard teacher certification. The Transition to Teaching program will include instruction related to all of the PPR competencies. Additionally, participants must complete a minimum of one TExES PPR review workshop provided by the university, regional educational service center, or approved commercial vendor prior to initial examination.

Teaching Field

Currently, no teaching field exam (TExES) exists for the teaching fields of Agricultural Sciences or Family & Consumer Sciences. The State Board of Educator Certification has indicated that new exams for these teaching fields are unavailable until 2004 or later. Therefore, successful completion of an approved program, such as Transition to Teaching, is required for either of these teaching fields. Participants lacking the minimum semester hours of course work in the teaching field will be required to complete additional courses as part of their approved program or submit an acceptable score on the PRAXIS II (for Agriculture or Family & Consumer Sciences).

Transition to Teaching
Agricultural Science & Technology
or
Family & Consumer Sciences

Teaching Subject Prerequisite Knowledge:

-Bachelor's degree in an Agricultural discipline with the following core (teaching field) subjects:
1. plant science (horticulture and/or agronomy)**
2. soil science*
3. animal science/food science**
4. agricultural economics*
5. agricultural mechanization**
or

-Bachelor's degree in a Family & Consumer Sciences-related discipline with the following core subjects:
1. nutrition/food science**
2. clothing/apparel/textiles*
3. child/family development**
4. housing/interior design/architecture**
5. family or consumer economics*
* 3 semester hours minimum
** 6 semester hours minimum
(Students may demonstrate competence in the teaching field by scoring 560 or higher on the PRAXIS II.)

Recommended Plan of Study

Early Field Experience (20 hours of observation of secondary Ag/FCS instruction)
-Documented assistance with FFA or FCCLA activities
-Observation via distance learning technologies
-Secondary level substitute teaching
-On-site observation of secondary school instruction***
***All observation hours may be done on-site.
(Student may enroll in courses in any sequence upon acceptance to Graduate School)

Initial Summer
AGED 570-Instructional Management (Summer I--3 semester hours)
AGED 571-Program Development (Summer II--3 semester hours)
Induction Year Enrollment
AGED 573-Practicum in Teaching (Fall--3 semester hours)
Practicum will consist of service as a teacher in a secondary school setting. Inductee will work under the mentorship of an experienced teacher and will utilize information technologies to communicate with the mentor, university teacher educator and cohorts. The use of technology will be integrated into instructional presentations, professional development seminars, and professional communication. Due to the integration of technology, no specific course(s) in computer technology will be required.
AGED 572-Special Populations (Spring--3 semester hours)
Summer after Induction
AGED 574-Assessment and Evaluation (Summer I--3 semester hours)