Expenses

Teach For America’s Alternative Route to Credential Program

We are pleased to announce that Teach For America-Hawai‘i has been approved by the Standards Board to offer an independent licensure program and will not be providing teaching credentials to all corps members. The Alternative Route to Credential (ARC) program will be a collaboration between Teach For America, university partners (Chaminade University or the University of Hawai‘i), and other community partners, including Kamehameha Schools. In order to receive a credential, corps members must successfully complete the program of study in their first year in the classroom.

Core Assessments and Mentoring

Corps Members must complete all core Key Assessments listed below and actively participate in professional development.

Key Assessment 1 : Praxis

Key Assessment 2 : Summer Institute Portfolio and Evaluation

Key Assessment 3: Planning Portfolio

Key Assessment 4: Clinical Observations

Key Assessment 5: Student Learning Assessment

Key Assessment 6: Dispositions Assessment

Hawaiian Culture and History

All corps members must complete a Hawaiian culture and history component through participation in the Kahua Program. On Hawai‘i island and Windward O‘ahu, corps members must enroll in the Kahua program offered through the DOE. Corps members teaching in all other districts on O‘ahu will participate in a Kahua program offered to Teach For America through a partnership with Kamehameha Schools. The Kahua program will be focused on Hawaiian culture and history as well as place-based educational methods. Requirements vary slightly by district, but generally include a two-day orientation prior to the school year and four additional professional development meetings.

Content Support and Coursework

All corps members should enroll in a Masters of Education program at Chaminade University or the University of Hawai’i. All classes are offered online. At Chaminade University only, corps members have the flexibility to choose to discontinue courses after the first year, however, all corps members are encouraged to continue taking classes in order to receive their Masters in Education during their two-year commitment. Americorps awards are not guaranteed, but are expected to be renewed at approximately $5,000/year.

(K-6):

Elementary General Education (K- 6): Chaminade University

• Approximate cost for credential: $6,786 (no cost with Americorps awards)
• Approximate additional costs for M.Ed.: $10,179

(7-12):

University

Secondary General Education (7 - 12): Chaminade University
• Approximate cost for credential: $5,655 (no cost with Americorps awards)
• Approximate additional costs for M.Ed.: $11,876

Special Education: Chaminade University
• Approximate cost for credential: $8,483 (Elementary); $7,352 (Secondary)
• Approximate additional costs for M.Ed.: $8,483 (Elementary); $10,179 (Secondary)

Masters/Special

Masters/ Special Education: University of Hawai’i, Manoa

Corps members may elect to pursue a M.Ed. degree in Special Education at the University of Hawai’i. Corps members will be eligible to receive their credential at the end of year one; however, corps members enrolled at the University of Hawai‘i are expected to complete the full two year masters degree program (no option to discontinue program at the end of year one).
• Approximate cost for credential and M.Ed: $14,973 + fees