SBEC Approves Addition of TAMIU's New Science Certification Programs

The State Board of Educator Certification has approved the addition of two new certification areas to programs at Texas A&M International University's College of Education.

The new certification programs are science, grades 8-12 and science, grades 4-8.

Dean of the College of Education, Dr. Rosa María Vida, said the addition will be crucial to local and area schools as it will help encourage more teachers to seek certification in these critical need areas.

"Science in grades 4-8 and 8-12 is a pivotal part of student preparation and testing and teacher shortages in these areas are critical. The availability of certification in science for these grade levels will do much to help encourage individuals with an interest in science to seek certification and to assure that students are exposed to quality science education," Dr. Vida explained.

The addition of the two science certification programs brings the number of certification areas available to nine and include counselor, mid-management administrator, superintendency and others. Certification candidates are post-baccalaureate teachers who pursue graduate level courses after application and acceptance to the graduate study in the College of Education.

In 1999, SBEC recognized the University for its Achievement in Teacher Candidate Diversity as 92% of all teachers prepared and tested were Hispanics. The University has since earned state-wide recognition for exceeding teacher production projections and leads the state in the graduation of qualified Hispanic teachers.

For more information on the new certification programs in science at Texas A&M International University, please contact the College of Education at 956.326.2420 or visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, Room 329.

University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu