The Alaska Board of Education and Early Development has approved a new tiered certification system for Alaska teachers. Effective September 2005, all teachers new to the Alaska teaching system will be placed in Tier I, Initial Certification. Initial Certification requires the following:

• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Passing scores on the Praxis I, CBEST or other approved test
• Satisfactory background check
• Completion of (or enrollment in) an approved teacher preparation program

Initial Certification is valid for three years and is not renewable. To remain certified to teach in Alaska beyond three years, teachers placed in Tier I must meet the requirements for Tier II, Professional Certification. Professional Certification requires the following:
• Completion of Alaska Studies – 3 approved credits
• Completion of Multicultural Education – 3 approved credits
• Passing scores on a content area exam
• Demonstration of performance standards through two assessments (effective September 1, 2006)

Professional Certification is valid for five years and is renewable with six credits, three of which may be determined by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (EED).

With the exception of the two performance assessments for Tier II, the above requirements for Tiers I and II are met through successful completion of UAA’s Master of Arts in Teaching program, the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education, the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Elementary Education and the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Early Childhood K-3rd Grade.

Tier III, Master Certification requires the following:

• Meet requirements for Professional Certification
• Achieve one of the following:

-national board certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, OR
-master certification from a recognized national certification program as approved by the department; OR
-reviewed twice on the Alaska Teacher Performance Review and received on each review a specified score (this option effective September 1, 2000).

The Master Certification is valid for ten years and is renewable with continuation of above.

Information about tiered certification may be found at EED’s web site at http://www.educ.state.ak.us/.