Program Overview

"With the AST programs, students not only graduate with a viable credential as a teaching paraprofessional, but they also qualify to enter a four-year teacher education program with half of their degree credit requirements already completed.  This initiative promises to be a very effective means of increasing the number of appropriately-certified, effective teachers available to Louisiana's deserving students." 

                                 - Commissioner of Higher Education Joseph Savoie

 

Throughout Louisiana, the need for dedicated teachers who are committed to raising their students’ level of achievement is ever present.  In the 2007 school year, 26% of 4th grade students in the state failed to meet grade level standards in English and/or math, and 34% of 8th grade students in the state failed to meet grade standards in English and/or math.1  Additionally, 35% of all 9th grade students entering high school do not graduate.2  Teachers have the power to dramatically change these grim statistics for the children in our state.  Now, more than ever, we need talented individuals who are dedicated to making a difference in their community to take action and teach.  Louisiana TeachNext provides individuals seeking a meaningful way to shape the academic future of our students with a flexible opportunity to enter a career in teaching.

Applications for the Fall 2008 semester are currently being accepted.  Individuals are encouraged to apply early to maximize planning time and the opportunity to meet with college advisors. 

Louisiana TeachNext is an innovative degree program of Baton Rouge, Bossier Parish, Delgado, Nunez, and River Parishes Community Colleges designed to attract talented individuals looking for a flexible and cost-effective way to pursue an associate’s degree and begin the path toward becoming certified elementary teachers.

Candidates accepted into Louisiana TeachNext will enter the newly-established Associate of Science in Teaching (AST) degree program at one of the five participating community colleges. All 60 of the course credits earned in this program of study will transfer to any four-year teacher education program in Louisiana, enabling AST degree recipients to enter a four-year teacher education program with approximately half of their certification requirements already completed.

Louisiana TeachNext participants will meet all general education requirements and the minimum admissions requirements for entry into any of Louisiana’s four-year teacher education programs.  Recipients of the Associate of Science in Teaching degree may be eligible to earn their Bachelor of Science degree and elementary teacher certification after completing approximately two years of additional fulltime coursework in a school of education, assuming completion of all requirements.

Louisiana TeachNext is currently accepting applications from both incoming students at Baton Rouge, Bossier Parish, Delgado, Nunez or River Parishes Community College and current students interested in changing their program of study.