Survey on alternate route teachers.

The National Center for Education Information (NCEI) has released the results of a survey of teachers entering teaching through alternative routes to teacher certification. According to the 72-page report released in June, 47 states and the District of Columbia now offer 538 different alternate route programs for teachers. These programs offer individuals the opportunity to become certified as teachers by meeting requirements set by the state, and, generally, teachers who become certified through an alternate route are able to teach while they are obtaining certification.

Among the findings of the survey:

* Nearly half of those entering teaching through alternate routes say they would not have become a teacher if an alternate route to certification had not been available.

* The alternatively certified teacher population has more males, more minorities and more older people than those who obtain certification via the traditional route.

* Nearly eight out of 10 enter an alternative certification program with a bachelor's degree or higher in a field other than education.

* Only five percent of those responding to the survey expect to be employed in an occupation outside of education five years from now.

* Only three percent of those entering teaching through alternate routes say they would not recommend the process to others interested in becoming teachers.

C. Emily Feistritzer, president of NCEI and the publisher of Teacher Education Reports, is the author of the report. According to Feistritzer, "The data show for the first time the advantages of having individuals entering from alternate routes. They are more mature, more satisfied with several aspects of teaching, feel competent as teachers, and are more likely to remain in teaching than recent college graduates entering teaching."

For more information about the report, "Profile of Alternate Route Teachers," visit www.ncei.com.