The rest, she said, are either uncertified or have alternative certification, which is easier to obtain because it does not require as much pre-service training.

While the requirements for an alternative certification vary from state to state, there are certain commonalities found in the programs.

Also calls for developing and establishing alternative certification for those who want to teach but don't have formal teacher training.

He is currently an assistant high school football coach in San Antonio Texas and working on his alternative certification to become a special education teacher.

Education reform, including charter schools, using technology, alternative certification of teachers, and paying teachers six figure salaries.

Altogether, about 2,500, or 30 percent, of the new certified teachers this fall will have alternative certification.

The 11-year-old Teach for America program is one example of alternative certification, with which states have been experimenting for nearly 20 years.

Policy paper on alternative certification for teachers.

I'm not saying alternative certification can't be valuable as a piece of the puzzle.