Currently, the Katy ISD TEA⁺CH ACP is not offering  SPED certification or ESL certification.  However, we will provide you with guidance to obtain these certifications in collaboration with the Katy ISD SPED department or OOL department once you obtain your standard teaching certificate.

Applicants with a conferred undergraduate (bachelor’s) or graduate (master’s or doctorate) degree at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States do not need to take the TOEFL-iBT.

• Passing score requirements must fall within the range identified for performance at the High-Intermediate Level:
  • Reading:  a minimum score between 18 – 23
  • Listening:  a minimum score between 17 – 21
  • Speaking: a minimum score between 20 – 24
  • Writing: a minimum score between 17 - 23

Please note that the TOEFL-iBT test results are only valid for two (2) years.

Applicants in their final semester of coursework before graduating with a bachelor’s degree may be considered for admission to the Katy ISD TEA⁺CH ACP on a contingency basis. 

For day-to-day substitutes, field-based experiences cannot be completed while working as a substitute teacher. Long-term substitutes who have worked for at least 30 consecutive days during the current school year may earn up to 2 days of campus-based experience. The substitute position does not need to align with the certification being pursued by the candidate. The Katy ISD TEA⁺CH ACP will collect documentation of the candidate's experience, including a written reflection.

Coursework meetings on Tuesday and Thursday evenings begins at 5:30 pm and may go as late as 9:30 p.m.  Coursework meetings on Monday evenings (once per month) begin at 5:30 pm.   Coursework held on Saturdays will start at 8:00 a.m. and may go as late as 5:00 p.m. All coursework will be held at the Professional Development Annex located at 6361 S Stadium Lane. Attendance for the entire duration of each face-to-face class is required. If you cannot commit to this, the program may not be the right fit for you.

No, Katy ISD TEA⁺CH ACP will allow candidates to train in only one teaching certification field.  After you receive your standard teaching certificate, you may add additional certifications through the testing process.

All candidates in the Katy ISD TEA⁺CH ACP are required to complete the internship in a Katy ISD school.  Candidates will complete the online teaching application, attend the Katy ISD teacher fair, and interview to obtain a teaching position with the district.

Candidates seeking financial assistance may qualify for the PEO Program for Continuing Education, designed to support women pursuing education or certification to enhance their employable skills and support themselves and their families. Information on how to apply for this scholarship can be found on the scholarship page of this website. 

$2,000 will be due on July 15th.  This can be paid with a credit card using the Katy Pay N' Go app on the website.  

The remaining $2,000 will not be due until candidates begin their internship earning a teacher salary.  Payments may be made via payroll deduction over the course of a few months during the internship year.

All candidates will receive access to an online platform for test preparation as part of the Katy ISD TEA⁺CH Alternative Certification Program.

To complete the program, each candidate must successfully complete all coursework, field-based experiences, certification exams, and intern teaching year.  The candidate must also have a Bachelor's degree conferred and be in good standing with the ACP.  Once success has been achieved with these tasks, the candidate will then be recommended for a standard teaching certificate.

Beginning with Cohort 3, the cost to complete the Katy ISD TEA⁺CH ACP is $4,000.  Upon successful completion of the intern year and a signed contract to remain teaching with Katy ISD for an additional TWO years, the candidate will be refunded the amount of $1,000.

Additionally, the candidate will be responsible for the following fees:

• Individual Content Test
  • Core Subjects EC-6 - $116
  • Core Subjects 4-8 - $116
  • Science of Teaching Reading - $136
• PPR Test - $116
• Fingerprinting - $49
• Intern Certificate - $78
• Standard Certificate - $78
• TEA Technology Fee - $35

The Katy ISD TEA⁺CH ACP has scheduled the coursework sessions on evenings (and some Saturdays) to allow our candidates the ability to work while completing the program.  

All candidates will be expected to attend full-day sessions for 3 full days in the month of June, as well as six to seven days of observation throughout the program (September – March), which require time away from work.

Coursework, observations, and certification testing will be completed during an 11-month period (August – June).

The Intern Year of teaching will be completed the following school year (July – May).  This Intern Year is paid as a first-year teacher and is eligible for benefits.