Para Educators now have a shortened pathway to Teacher of Record with the Online Teacher Apprentice Program™ at Wichita State College of Applied Studies in the School of Education. The inverted curriculum allows Para Educators to complete their degree without leaving their local school district position. This immersive, hands-on educational experience combines the best of traditional and alternative teacher preparation programs. Upon program completion, students will possess a strong foundation of pedagogy and the skills necessary to manage student behaviors and positively impact student learning.
- Fully online course delivery.
- Earn field experience credit for work as a Para Educator.
- Flexible program of study based on prior coursework.
- Ongoing mentor support throughout program.
The WSU Teacher Apprentice Program™ (TAP Program) facilitates the Para Educator’s progression from Para Educator to Teacher of Record through distinct stages and licensure options.
When students enter the program, they must be employed as a para educator at the Early Childhood (Birth-3rd grade) and/or Elementary Education (K-6th grade) level and meet all requirements as outlined under Para Educator Qualifications.
- After an individual meets the qualifications for the Limited TAP License, they have the option (not required) to be hired as a teacher of record under the Limited TAP License while completing the TAP Program.
- This license can only be held by individuals after they have been offered a position by a district, met the Limited TAP Licensure Requirements, and who maintain enrollment in the TAP Program.
- An individual can only hold the Limited TAP License while a candidate in the TAP Program.
- Once an individual completes the TAP Program (Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Unified/Elementary Education), they must complete the requirements and application for their initial licensure as required by KSDE (Kansas Department of Education), see Initial Teaching License section of this document.
- No license required
- Must serve as a para educator with instructional responsibilities at the Early Childhood (birth-3rd grade) level; or Elementary Education level (Kindergarten-6th grade) at least 8 hours a week in the initial semesters of the program and fulltime the final semester.
- The para educator position can be in an interrelated or regular education classroom.
- This para educator position must be held in a building that is accredited by KSDE (Kansas State Department of Education) or licensed by KDHE (Kansas Department of Health & Environment) or a similar setting.
- Successful admission to Wichita State Teacher Apprentice Program™.
- Offered a position as classroom teacher (a person with great potential; based on needs of the district)- letter of support from district or building administrator
- Completed at least 60 college credits, including one semester of WSU Approved Courses if you hold a previous Bachelor’s Degree; OR one academic year if you do NOT hold a previous Bachelor’s Degree
- Candidate must have a minimum cumulative 2.75 grade point average on a 4.0 scale on REQUIRED WSU professional coursework in the relevant program of study.
- Candidate must maintain continuous enrollment in the relevant approved Wichita State College of Applied Studies Program (i.e. TAP Program).
- Complete academic advising session (Am I Ready for This?)
- Documented performance(by Success coach) for candidate on teaching evaluation measure (KEEP) as required by Wichita State College of Applied Studies. Candidate must achieve a rating of EFFECTIVE or higher overall on the Summative KEEP Assessment during the semester of application.
- Satisfactory performance on disposition evaluation.
*all qualifications must be met prior to application for license
- After an individual meets the qualifications for the Limited TAP License (Form 24A), they have the option (not required) to be hired as a teacher of record under the Limited TAP License while completing the Teacher Apprentice Program™ (TAP Program).
- This license can only be held by individuals after they have been offered a position by a district, met the Limited TAP Licensure Requirements, and who maintain enrollment in the TAP Program.
- An individual can only hold the Limited TAP License while a candidate in the TAP Program.
- Once an individual completes the TAP Program (Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Unified/Elementary Education) they must complete the requirements and application for their initial licensure as required by KSDE (Kansas Department of Education).
- This license allows a TAP candidate to serve as the teacher of record in a general education assignment Birth - Grade 6 or a special education assignment at the Birth - Grade 3 level.
- ALL Limited TAP License requirements must be met prior to application for license. The status for requirements 2-6 should be verified by checking Degree Works under MyWSU and by conferencing with assigned TAP Success Coach.
- The Limited TAP License application, Form 24A, is only available through the Wichita State College of Applied Studies Licensure Officer.
- The application must be submitted through Wichita State College of Applied Studies Licensure Officer, NOT directly to KSDE.
- An individual cannot start the application process until they have been offered a position by a district as the teacher of record.
- Once a candidate is offered a position & the Wichita State College of Applied Studies Licensure Officer verifies eligibility for the license, the candidate will receive a checklist, directions, and the paper application (Form 24A) from the Licensure Officer.
Initial License Early Childhood Unified (Birth-3rd grade) and Elementary Education (K-6th grade) Qualifications*
- Successful completion of WSU program of study in the Teacher Apprentice Program™ (TAP program).
- Successful completion of the Teacher Licensure Capstone (TLC) during the final semester, CI 608 Internship 4 semester.
- Passing scores on required licensure tests. See Required Licensure Testing on the next page.
- Please see College of Applied Studies Advising, Licensure for more detail on how to apply for this license & requirements.
* must be met prior to application for license
Initial Teaching License Required Licensure Testing
You will complete these exams during the semester prior to CI 608 (Internship 4) or during CI 608 Internship 4 semester.
Please see the Kansas Test Requirements, for the specific test numbers and qualifying scores.
Early Childhood Unified Only – Licensed in Birth-3rd grade only:
- Education of Young Child Praxis Content Exam; and
- Special Education: Preschool/Early Childhood Praxis Content Exam ; and
- Principles of Learning & Teaching (PLT): Early Childhood
Elementary Education Only – Licensed in K-6 only:
Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching Praxis Content Exam with a qualifying score in each subtest area –
- Reading & Language Arts CKT
- Mathematics CKT
- Science CKT
- Social Studies CKT; and
- Principles of Learning & Teaching (PLT): K-6
** Early Childhood Unified AND Elementary Education – Licensed in B-6th grade:
- Education of Young Child Praxis Content Exam; and
- Special Education: Preschool/Early Childhood Praxis Content Exam ; and
- Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching Praxis Content Exam with a qualifying score in each subtest area – Reading & Language Arts CKT, Mathematics CKT, Science CKT, Social Studies CKT; and
- Choose 1: Principles of Learning & Teaching (PLT): Early Childhood or Principles of Learning & Teaching (PLT): K-6
** Recommended for ALL candidates as this certifies you in Birth-6th grade teaching & allows you to serve as a special education teacher in Birth – 3rd grade.