ABCTE Teacher Residency Program

New teachers need a solid structure of feedback and support throughout their first year in the classroom. The ABCTE Teacher Residency Program provides one-to-one peer support and review through a system of focused classroom observations, structured feedback sessions, professional development plans, and video resources. New teachers will be guided through this process by a local ABCTE-trained mentor who will help them improve their effectiveness in the classroom and adjust to the culture and expectations of their school.

The Teacher Residency Program includes:

• Four (4) online training modules for mentors and new teachers
• At least four (4) observations, each followed by discussion and feedback
• Professional development plans that target areas for improvement and growth as the teacher progresses through the program
• Continuous support from an experienced teacher
• Access to a video library of teaching practices and scenarios
• Guidelines for selecting a mentor

Mentors will help new teachers improve their teaching practice and professional performance based on the following indicators of successful teaching:

• Instructional organization
• Lesson planning
• Content mastery
• Classroom management
• Instructional delivery
• Positive learning environment
• Classroom assessment
• Professionalism and adherence to school policy
• Expectations outside of the classroom

New teachers will be expected to:

1. Obtain a teaching position and enroll in the Teacher Residency Program.
2. Select a mentor. The mentor must submit an application to ABCTE and be approved by the new teacher’s administrator.
3. Complete ABCTE’s online Teacher Residency training modules. The mentor must also complete the training and pass an assessment based on the training materials.
4. Be observed by their mentor at least four times during the school year.
5. Meet with their mentor after each observation to create a professional development plan.
6. Work with their mentor to improve and strengthen their teaching practice.
7. Conduct at least one classroom observation of another teacher.
8. Meet program deadlines and expectations.

If the new teacher has satisfied the requirements and expectations of the Teacher Residency Program, the mentor will recommend the new teacher to the administrator. Once ABCTE has received approval from the new teacher’s administrator and all program materials, the new teacher will receive a certificate of completion.

Mentors must:

• Hold a teaching position for the full period of the Teacher Residency Program
• Receive approval from the new teacher’s administrator

ABCTE also strongly recommends that new teachers select a mentor that:

• Works at their school
• Teaches the same grade level or subject
• Has a minimum of three years teaching experience
• Is a certified teacher

It is important to choose a mentor carefully. A strong mentor will help you make an impact in the classroom.

Refunds

ABCTE understands that, after enrollment, a candidate may decide to withdraw from the program. However, because ABCTE begins to incur administrative costs as soon as enrollment begins, it has adopted the following policy regarding requests for refunds:

• All refund requests must be in writing (letter, fax) using the Refund Request Form. You may obtain this form by contacting ABCTE at 1-877-669-2228.
• No Refund Request Form will be accepted if it is submitted more than 30 days after the date of the original payment to ABCTE.
• Not more than eighty percent of the payment will be refunded when a written refund request form is received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time thirty days after payment was received. If you purchased services as part of a package, only the certification portion of the package is eligible for a refund. No preparation materials are eligible for a refund.
• No refund will be issued if written cancellation is received after 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time thirty day after payment was received.

Certification Candidates only:

• Retake payments are not eligible for refund.
• This refund policy does not apply to Teach & Inspire or Installment Payment Plan participants.

There are no "extenuating circumstances" which will result in an exception to these policies.

Retake Exams

Applies to Certification candidates only

Your fee includes your first attempt at all exams that are part of that program. In the event you fail one or more of the exams, you must purchase a retake at a cost of $195 if you wish to attempt the exam again. This fee includes:

• Exam appointment with Pearson VUE
• Advising services available upon request
• 6 month extension of the enrollment period.
  Note that your initial enrollment period of 1 year cannot be extended beyond 2 years. Once you reach the 2 year point, you must purchase an enrollment extension. These are available for 6 months at a cost of $145.

Candidates are eligible for two retakes of a failed exam. In other words, candidates may take any one examination a maximum of 3 times (first attempt plus two retakes). After 3 failed attempts, candidates must choose a new subject area or pursue a different route to certification.

Installment Payment Plan

Applies to Certification candidates only

ABCTE offers a payment plan for new candidates. If you are looking for a flexible way to join the program, use this plan to divide the fee into eight monthly installment payments. Pricing for installment plans is the current subject certification price plus an installment program fee for financing and administrative costs.

For more details on the plan, an FAQ to answer any questions you may have, and forms to be completed and faxed for enrollment by installment, see our ABCTE Payment Plan.

Candidate Handbook

Applies to Certification candidates only

All candidates should read the candidate handbook to familiarize themselves with all policies and requirements.

Read the candidate handbook.