A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

Achieving the Goals: Goal 4 Teacher Professional Development - August 1996

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

The Alternative Teacher Certification Program

The Department of Veterans Affairs administers a program entitled the Alternative Teacher Certification. This is a pilot program which allows beneficiaries to receive benefits for alternative teacher programs. The pilot program will end on September 30, 1996. Legislation is pending which would continue the program. An alternative teacher certification program is one which is designed for an individual who possesses a bachelor's degree, but does not have education credits to obtain this certificate without reenrolling in an institution of higher learning and pursuing another bachelor's degree. Alternative teacher certification programs often include training conducted at an institution of higher learning, in addition to classroom experience and training provided by other entities.

For more information on this program visit: www.gibill.va.gov.

Educational Assistance Programs

The Department of Veterans Affairs administers a variety of educational assistance programs for veterans, service persons, eligible dependents and members of the Selected Reserve. The best known program is the Montgomery GI Bill. There are actually two distinct versions of the Montgomery GI Bill. The first is the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty, which provides benefits for those who have been discharged from service (veterans) and those who are still on active duty (service persons). The other portion is the Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve. Another significant program, although much smaller in terms of overall participants, is the Dependents' Educational Assistance program. This program provides education benefits for spouses, surviving spouses and children.

Eligible individuals may pursue a wide variety of training opportunities, including undergraduate and graduate degree programs at colleges and universities. Other types of training such as cooperative training, correspondence courses, vocational-technical training and apprenticeship/on-job training are also available. The vast majority of trainees pursue college training. Some of these college students would, of course, be pursuing training to become teachers.

For more information on this program visit: www.gibill.va.gov.
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