Over the past 25 years, alternative certification has emerged as a realistic option for obtaining teacher certification in music. Although advocated by policy makers and embraced by career changers, music teacher educators have frequently viewed the role of content knowledge and pedagogical training in these programs with a high degree of skepticism. This article provides an overview of the organizational schemes used in graduate and nondegree alternative certification programs at universities, school districts, and other entities. A research agenda is provided that is designed to stimulate academic scholarship on alternative certification policies and programs and their impact on candidate quality, music education programs, and the music education profession overall.
Aguilar, C.E. ( 2010, March). Policies on alternative certification. Paper presented at the 2010 Biennial Music Educators National Conference, Anaheim, CA.
2.
Appling, R.N. ( 1991). Nontraditional students attending postsecondary institutions: Congressional Research Service Report for Congress. Washington, DC: Library of Congress.
Benshoff, J.M. ( 2003). Educational opportunities, developmental challenges: Understanding nontraditional college students. Retrieved from ERIC database (ED363842).
5.
The Boston Conservatory. (n.d.). Music education . Retrieved from http://www.bostonconservatory.edu/s/940/TwoColnrot.aspx?sid=940&gid=1&pgid=1001
6.
Cambridge Public Schools. (2003-2010). The Clip Program. Retrieved from http://www.cpsd.us/HR/CLIP.cfm
7.
Dallas Independent School District. (n.d.). Dallas ISD Alternative Certification Program. Retrieved from www.teachfordallas.com
8.
Dill, V. ( 1996). Alternative teacher certification. In J. Sikula, T. J. Buttery , & E. Guyton (Eds.), Handbook of research on teacher education (2nd ed., pp. 932-960). New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.
9.
Erbes, R. ( 1987). A new era in teacher certification. Music Educators Journal, 73(6), 42-46.
10.
Feistritzer, C.E. ( 2007). Alternative teacher certification: A state-by-state analysis 2007. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Information.
11.
Feistritzer, C.E. ( 2010). National Center for Education Information. Retrieved from http://www.teach-now.org/intro.cfm
12.
Froehlich, H. ( 2007). Institutional belonging, pedagogic discourse and music teacher education: The paradox of routinization. Action, Criticism, and Theory for Music Education, 6/3. Retrieved from http://act.maydaygroup.org/articles/Froehlich6_3.pdf
13.
Hancock, C.B. ( 2009). National estimates of retention, migration, and attrition . Journal of Research in Music Education, 57(7), 92-107.
14.
Haston, W., & Leon-Guerero, A. (2008). Sources of pedagogical content knowledge. Journal of Music Teacher Education, 17, 48-59.
15.
Hellman, D.S., & McDowell, C. ( 2010). Backgrounds, teaching responsibilities, and motivations of music-education candidates enrolled in alternative certification programs . Unpublished manuscript.
16.
Henry, W. ( 2005). An analysis of certification practices for music educators in the 50 states. Journal of Music Teacher Education14, 47-61.
17.
Ingersoll, R.M. ( 2001). Teacher turnover and teacher shortages: An organizational analysis. American Educational Research Journal, 37, 499-534.
18.
Imig, D.G., & Imig, S.R. ( 2008). From traditional certification to competitive certification: A twenty-five year retrospective. In M. Cochran-Smith , S. Feiman-Nemser, D. J. McIntyre, & K. E. Demers (Eds.), Handbook of research on teacher education: Enduring questions in changing contexts (3rd ed., pp. 886-907). New York, NY: Routledge.
19.
Kashub, M. (compiler). (2009). Pathways data from selected states [Data file] . Retrieved from http://smte.us/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/Pathways-Data-on-Selected-States1.pdf
20.
Missouri State University Teacher Certification Office. ( 2009). Post-baccalaureate teacher certification admission criteria . Retrieved from http://www.missouristate.edu/certification/51956.htm
21.
Music National Service. (n.d). Music National Service & Musicianscorps. Retrieved from http://www.musicnationalservice.org/
22.
National Center for Alternative Certification. ( 2009). National Center for Education Web site. Retrieved from http://www.teach-now.org
23.
National Research Council. (2010). Preparing teachers: Building evidence for sound policy. Committee on the Study of Teacher Preparation Programs in the United States. Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.
24.
The New Teacher Project. (2005). Philadelphia Teaching Fellows. Retrieved from http://www.philadelphiateachingfellows.org/
25.
Parr, C. ( 2003, November). Alternate route certification: Present practice and future directions. Paper presented at the 2003 Annual Meeting of the National Association of the Schools of Music, Seattle, WA.
26.
Queens College. (2004-2009). Queens College: City University of New York 2004-2006 Graduate Bulletin. Retrieved from http://www.qc.cuny.edu/Academics/Pages/CollegeBulletins.aspx
27.
Rosenbaum, J.E., Deil-Amen, R., & Person, A. ( 2008). After admission: From college access to college success . New York, NY: Russell Sage Foundation .
28.
Steadman, S.C., & Simmons, J.S. ( 2007). Teachers not certified by universities burden our best teachers. The Education Digest, 72(7), 19-24.
29.
Suell, J.L., & Piotrowski, C. (2007). Alternative teacher education programs: A review of literature and outcome studies. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 34, 54-58.
30.
Teach for America. (2010a). Our mission and approach. Retrieved from http://www.teachforamerica.org/mission/mission_and_approach.htm
31.
Teach for America (2010b). Training . Retrieved from http://www.teachforamerica.org/corps/training.htm
32.
Teachout, D.J. ( 2007). Understanding the ties that bind and the possibilities for change. Arts Education Policy Review, 108(6), 19-32.
33.
Truman State University. (2010). 2009-2010 General/graduate catalog. Retrieved from http://catalog.truman.edu/index.php?catoid=4
34.
Troops to Teachers. (n.d.). Troops to Teachers: Proud to serve again. Retrieved from http://proudtoserveagain.com/
35.
University of Massachusetts-Lowell. (n.d.) Graduate online academic catalog. Retrieved from http://www.uml.edu/catalog/graduate/colleges/arts_sciences/Music/master.htm#music%20teaching
36.
University of Southern California. (2009). Catalogue 2009-2010. Retrieved from http://www.usc.edu/dept/publications/cat2009/schools/education/graduate/masters.html#music
