National Conference Highlights Alternative Teacher Certification Programs

Newswise — Educators and students from throughout the country who are involved in alternative certification for teachers will network at the National Association for Alternative Certification's annual conference in New Orleans.

"Alternative Certification: Added Plus for Educator Preparation" is scheduled March 28-31 at the Hyatt Regency.

"The conference will emphasize programs for preparing teachers for our nation's hard to staff schools and examine teacher preparation for special education teachers and for teachers in rural, isolated or urban and high poverty areas," said conference co-chair Rossana Boyd, coordinator of Internet Alternative Certification for Southeastern Louisiana University's College of Education and Human Development.

Conference speakers will include Jeanne M. Burns, associate commissioner for teacher education initiatives for the Louisiana Board of Regents and Office of the Governor. Burns will join with Glenny Lee Buquet, a member of the state's Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and Paula Byrd a Southeastern alternative certification intern, to present the "Louisiana State Perspective on Alternative Certification."

Associate Deputy Under Secretary of Education Michael Petrilli will discuss alternative certification and the "No Child Left Behind Act," while NAAC President Michael McKibbin, project officer for alternative certification for the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, will present "Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way," examining the NAAC's role in alternative certification issues and educational policy in general.

A conference brochure detailing registration information is available online at http://www.alt-teachercert.org/conference.htm.