Orange County to Host Kickoff Events for National Math & Science Teacher Recruitment Initiative

ORLANDO, FL (May 1, 2006) — With America facing a need for 240,000 new math and science teachers over the next decade, Orange County has been selected as the site of kickoff events for a national initiative to recruit professionals to change careers and teach math and science.

The Become a Math or Science Teacher informational events will be held on May 23 and 24 in Orlando, and are open to all professionals who want to learn more about how to change careers and pursue teacher certification in math and science. The events are being planned by Orange County Public Schools in coordination with the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE), which is launching its national PROJECT 5000: Recruiting New Math & Science Teachers for U.S. Schools in May.

Across the state of Florida, math and science are listed as areas of critical teacher shortages.  Orange County needs 2,000 new teachers for 2006-2007 school year.

“Math and science are the currencies of the global economy,” Superintendent Ronald Blocker said. “To make sure that our students are prepared for the challenging world marketplace of tomorrow we need the best math and science teachers available.”

At the “Become a Math or Science Teacher” events, career changers can participate in informational presentations and meet with Orange County schools officials and ABCTE certification counselors to learn more about teacher certification options. The information sessions will take place at the following locations:

LOCATIONS

May 23
5, 6 & 7 p.m.
Ocoee High School
1925 Ocoee Crown Pt. Pkwy
Ocoee, FL 34761

May 24
5, 6 & 7 p.m.
Colonial High School
6100 Oleander Dr.
Orlando, FL 32807

ABCTE offers Passport to Teaching certification, which is recognized as a route to state teacher certification in Florida.  Designed specifically for career changers, Passport to Teaching allows individuals with bachelor’s degrees the opportunity to earn their certification by demonstrating mastery on rigorous examinations of subject area knowledge and professional teaching knowledge. Individuals can prepare for certification on their own time and at their own pace; additional college courses are not required. Program fees range from $500 to $750, depending on certification area. Currently, ABCTE offers certification in elementary education, math, general science, biology, physics, chemistry, English and special education (ESE).

Orange County joins seven other regions across the country that were selected as kickoff event sites for PROJECT 5000. The initiative helps answer President Bush’s call for more math and science professionals to pursue teaching, so that America can compete and succeed in a global marketplace.

For more information, visit abcte.org or call 1-877-669-2228.