Transitional Certification Program (formerly called Transition to Teaching)

The Transitional Certification Program (formerly call the Transition to Teaching Program) was developed in response to a shortage of secondary level teachers in Nebraska. An individual in this route must hold a baccalaureate degree along with a job offer from a Nebraska public or nonpublic school, and may qualify for a Transitional Teaching Permit which allows him/her to be employed as a teacher while completing the required professional education coursework.

The Transition Certification Program was developed in response to a shortage of secondary level teachers in Nebraska.

An individual in this route may receive a Transitional Teaching Permit if the individual: submits a written request for the issuance of such permit from the administrator of the school district in which the individual intends to teach which includes documentation that the school district has not found a fully qualified teacher (lacking appropriate endorsement or professional characteristics sought by the school system) for the position; has at least a baccalaureate degree which includes at least 75% of the content area course requirements for preparation in the endorsement area that addresses the teaching position to be filled by the applicant; has an assessment of his/her transcripts completed by a certification officer in a standard institution of higher education and a plan developed for completion of an approved initial teacher certification program; submits a written plan from the school system for mentoring and supervision of the individual; completes a pre-teaching seminar that includes information and skill development in the areas of diversity, classroom management, curriculum planning, and instructional strategies prior to assuming responsibility for the classroom; and submits a written agreement to complete the program for an initial teaching certificate which includes a commitment by the standard institution to provide at least one supervisory visit each semester to the school system and classroom of the individual. The permit is renewed annually as long as the individual completes at least six semester credit hours toward completion of the program and the school district wishes to rehire the individual.

Supervised clinical experience is performed in the individual's classroom under the supervision of a mentor teacher and a representative of the Transition Certification Program.

Regarding #7 and #21: According to Chapter 21, individuals holding the Transitional permit have 5 years to achieve an initial/regular certificate. The individual must continue to show annual progress toward initial certification, participate in professional development, and have a qualified mentor provided by the school district.

Regarding #4 and #17: Individuals may complete the online coursework sequence without actually being employed in a school--this does not require a certificate. The Transitional permit is only issued to individuals who are completing the online sequence AND have professional employment. The enrolled count provided includes both individuals holding the Transitional permit (completing the required online sequence and are employed in schools as the teacher of record) and those who are completing the online coursework sequence only.

Regarding #14: Candidates must complete the basic skills testing requirement. Candidates seeking an initial endorsement as of September 1, 2015 are required to pass the designated Praxis II test.

An applicant for a Transitional Teaching Permit must undergo fingerprinting, a background check and a police record examination if the applicant has not been a resident of Nebraska for at least five (5) consecutive years immediately preceding the date of application.