GCS ACTGUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION TRACK

For more information, visit the GCS ACT Web site, stop by our office or give us a call!

GCS ACT Guilford County Schools

Lateral Entry Resource and Advising Center 712 N. Eugene St.

Greensboro, NC 27401 (336) 378-8823

www.gcsnc.com/gcsact

In compliance with federal laws, Guilford County Schools administers all educational programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination because of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, color, age, military service, disability or gender, except where exemption is appropriate and allowed by law. Refer to the Board of Education’s Discrimination Free Environment Policy AC for a complete statement. Inquiries or complaints should be directed to the Guilford County Schools Compliance Officer, 120 Franklin Blvd., Greensboro, NC 27401; 336.370.2323.

HOW IT WORKSIn an effort to encourage more lateral entry candidates

to teach, the General Assembly of North Carolina’s Senate

Bill 1115 grants Local Educational Agencies, or school

districts, the right to offer an approved program of study

to certify lateral entry candidates. Successful completion

of the GCS ACT program of study results in obtaining

a full N.C. Standard Professional I license to teach in

North Carolina. If you ever decide to teach outside of the

state, some states may accept this clear N.C. license while

others may require that you take additional coursework.

PROGRAM OF STUDYDATE COURSE HOURS

Summer I Foundations of Teaching and Learning 80

Fall Frameworks for Success Seminar I 30

Spring Frameworks for Success Seminar II 30

Summer II Data and Assessment Literacy for Teachers 30

Designing Effective Teaching and Learning Experiences 30

Facilitating Learning Using Best Practices 30

Classroom Leadership and Management 30

Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners 30

12 Months 290

Interested in teaching, but don’t have a license? Guilford County Schools (GCS) Alternative Certification Track (ACT) is one of three options available for obtaining licensure to teach in the state of North Carolina. In partnership with the United States Department of Education (USDE) and Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC), GCS ACT offers lateral entry candidates an 12-month long, locally customized licensure and support program as an alternative to a four-year institution affiliated program or Regional Alternative Licensure Center (RALC) program of study. GCS ACT is designed around core N.C. Professional Teaching Standards and supports the guiding mission of the N.C. State Board of Education that N.C. public schools will be led by 21st century professionals:

• Teachers demonstrate leadership

• Teachers establish a respectful environment for a diverse population of students

• Teachers know the content they teach

• Teachers facilitate learning for their students

• Teachers reflect on their practice

COMPARE YOUR OPTIONS FOR OBTAINING A NORTH CAROLINA TEACHING LICENSE

LICENSUREPROGRAMOPTIONS

GCS ACT

RALC

4 YearInstitution

GCS

✓

Hours

290

Varies

Varies

Length

12 months

Varies

Varies

CommunityCollege

✓

4 YearInstitution

✓

✓

NC SP1License

✓

✓

✓

Reciprocal with other states

Varies

✓

✓

Option of Earning Graduate Credit

✓

✓

COURSEWORK OFFERED BY PROGRAM DETAILS LICENSURE

PROGRAM BENEFITSGCS ACT is an innovative approach to recruiting and retaining highly qualified lateral entry teacher candidates. From a candidate perspective, here are some reasons GCS ACT would be a preferable certification track:

· Low cost tuition* plus the cost of books

· Coursework is designed for lateral entry teachers

· Majority of coursework is offered in the summer

· Courses are taught by master classroom teachers

· Cohorts provide networking and support

· Coaches provide on-site support throughout the year

· Portfolios are used to showcase artifacts and reflections

HOW DO I APPLY?In order to be considered for acceptance into the GCS ACT program, you must meet the following requirements:

· Be currently employed as a GCS teacher

· Be eligible for a NC Lateral Entry License

· Have a minimum 3.0 GPA in your content area of licensure (preferred)

· Submit a GCS ACT application to the Lateral Entry Resource and Advising Center

Visit www.gcsnc.com/gcsact to download a GCS ACT application

* Based on GTCC tuition rates for Continuing Education courses – subject to change.Program completion and licensure requires passing Praxis II scores in your licensure area, per the N.C. Department of Public Instruction.