Grants

Alternative Certification Program
Houston Independent School District

Grants for HISD Alternative Certification Program Interns

Jonett Edwards Miniel, Grants Coordinator

The primary goal of the Science and Mathematics Alternative Route to Teaching Project (SMART Project) Grant is to recruit, prepare, and retain 150 math and science teachers to serve HISD students in urban classrooms.  The U. S. Department of Education Transition to Teaching Programs Division has awarded a five-year grant to the Houston Independent School District Alternative Certification Program (HISD-ACP).  The SMART Project Grant supports the recruitment and retention of highly-qualified mid-career professionals and recent college graduates who have not majored in education to teach in high-need schools in HISD through its Alternative Certification Program. 

SMART Project Grant Overview

Name

The Science and Mathematics Alternative Route to Teaching Project (SMART Grant)

Funder

U. S. Department of Education, Transition to Teaching Program

Purpose

Increase the number of certified mathematics and science teachers in high-need HISD schools

Recruitment

Cohort 4 – 40 interns (2011-2012)

Eligibility
  • Be accepted into the HISD Alternative Certification Program
  • Certification Areas – mathematics and science; generalists teaching math and/or science ≥ 50% of the time
  • Math THEA score ≥ 270 or overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Teacher-of-record in an HISD high-need school

Benefits
  • Partial program fee reimbursement – $2,500
  • Professional library – $700 to help begin building
  • Professional development workshops (content specific, Rice University School Mathematics Project and Baylor College of Medicine Center for Educational Outreach) and classroom content materials – $1,800

Commitments
  • Remain a teacher-of-record in an HISD high-need school for three full school years (internship year + two years after receiving standard certificate)
  • Teach mathematics and/or science at least 50% of the time during three year commitment period
  • Attend monthly targeted professional development sessions provided by ACP during second and third teaching years