Accelerated Elementary
Begin your rewarding career as an elementary teacher in Texas! Our Accelerated Elementary Program (ACCEL) provides professionals from different fields with an alternative route to elementary certification. Accepting applications through April 28, 2023 for the 23-24 school year.
Become A Certified Teacher
Our Accelerated Elementary Program (ACCEL) is an accelerated program designed to provide a pathway to teacher certification for professionals who are interested in teaching on the elementary level and passionate about making learning engaging for students.
Teachers within our program will receive a blended model of online and teacher-directed classes as well as continuous support in and out of the classroom. ACCEL is for participants in Austin and surrounding areas, employed by schools within the Region 13 service area, as well as those from schools within a 100-mile radius of Austin.
ACCEL will be accepting applications through May 2, 2023, for the 23-24 school year.
Participants can expect structured test preparation for exams and pre-service training built around classroom management, instructional planning, instructional delivery, and professionalism. Participants will also receive “Just in time” in-service training throughout the first year. Our face-to-face and virtual classes give you the opportunity to learn and see effective teaching practices in action and then spend time applying the practices to your own instruction.
Accelerated Elementary Certification Options
Core Subjects EC-6
The Core Subjects EC-6 certification area will allow a participant to teach English language arts and reading (ELAR), math, science, social studies, music, art, health and physical education in Early Childhood (EC) through Grade 6.
The English as a Second Language (ESL) Supplemental exam will be added to this certification area to help participants learn the foundations of ESL education, cultural awareness, family and community involvement, language concepts, language acquisition, and ESL instructional strategies to use in the classroom.
Bilingual Core Subjects EC-6
The Bilingual Core Subjects certification area will allow a participant to teach English language arts and reading (ELAR), and Spanish language arts and reading (SLAR), math, science, social studies, music, art, health and physical education in Early Childhood (EC) through grade 6, in an English/Spanish bilingual environment. Participants must demonstrate a near-native proficiency level in speaking, reading, writing, and listening in Spanish to qualify.
Middle Level
The middle-level certification areas will allow a participant to teach in grades 4-8. The ACCEL program offers three certification options:
- Core Subjects 4-8 (English language arts and reading (ELAR), math, science, and social studies in grades 4-8)
- English Language Arts and Reading 4-8
- English Language Arts and Reading / Social Studies 4-8
The English as a Second Language (ESL) Supplemental exam will be added to this certification area to help participants learn the foundations of ESL education, cultural awareness, family and community involvement, language concepts, language acquisition, and ESL instructional strategies to use in the classroom.
Special Education EC-12
The Special Education (SPED) EC-12 certification area will allow a participant to teach children with disabilities in a variety of classroom settings in Early Childhood (EC) through grade 12. These classroom settings include early childhood special education (ECSE), life skills, resource, inclusion and behavior programs. All participants must select an ACCEL content area in addition to the Special Education EC-12 certification. Content areas include: Core Subjects EC-6, Core Subjects 4-8, ELAR 4-8, or ELAR/SS 4-8.
Program Requirements
Bachelor's Degree
Candidates must have a degree earned from and conferred by an accredited institution of higher education.
Min 2.5 Grade Point Average
Minimum 2.5 GPA on all coursework or 2.75 in the last 60 semester hours of completed coursework.
Official College Transcripts
Request your official transcripts be sent to the ECP office.
Content Specific Course Work
Candidate’s college transcript must include 24 semester hours (12 upper level) in content specific related course work.
Pre-Admission Content Test
Applicants who do not meet the content specific course work requirement may submit evidence of a passing score on the Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT).
Requirements
View your content area's specific certification requirements
Curriculum
Our certification program curriculum is aligned with Texas Education Agency standards and educational best practices. All curriculum is taught by certified staff and content area experts.
Training
About 2/3 of our classes are live instruction (live at a local site or via zoom) and 1/3 of our classes are online self paced. Participants employed by schools within the Region 13 service area, as well as those from schools within a 100-mile radius of Austin, will attend classes at the Education Service Center Region 13 in Austin.
Participants will be required to attend training that will continue to build on instruction learned during pre-service training.
- delivering engaging instruction
- integrating content specific strategies into lesson design
- developing and using student assessments
- understanding student diversity and instructional differentiation
- preparing for formal classroom observations
- preparing for TExES PPR exam
- preparing for TExES content exams
- implementing Marzano’s high-yield strategies
- developing and using a variety of questioning strategies
- integrating the core principles from The Fundamental Five
Technology
- incorporating the effective use of current technology in instruction
- evaluating students’ technologically produced products and projects
- utilizing technology applications in problem-solving situations and project-based learning activities
- using developmentally appropriate instructional practices, activities, and materials to integrate the Technology Applications TEKS into the curriculum
- managing technology platforms to increase communication with student families on academic and behavior progress
What’s Next?
Info Sessions
Find out more about our programs by attending one of our info sessions.
Apply
Complete our online application and take the first step in becoming a fully certified teacher.