Compass FAQs

Revised 12/15/16

Eligibility

What do I need to do to get certified?

To earn a teaching certificate through Compass, you will need to do the following:

  1. Meet basic program eligibly requirements.
  2. Take and pass exam(s)specific to your content area30 days prior to the start of training.
  3. Successfully complete a year-long training program, which includes summer pre-service training, New Teacher Academy, and additional state-mandated teacher certification exams.

What are the program eligibility requirements?

To apply, all applicants must have:

  • Bachelor's Degree: A Bachelor’s degree conferred by an institution of higher education that isrecognized by one of the regional accrediting agenciesin the THECB
  • Overall GPA of 2.75:Overall undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 overall on bachelordegree conferred
  • Must passappropriateTExES content examinationfor desired certification area.
  • If you do not have a TEA ID number you are required to complete thePACT(Pre Admission Content Test).Who can PACT?

Applicants from outside of the United States must meet the following program requirements:

  • Bachelor’s Degree: A Bachelor’s degree conferred by an institution of higher education that is recognized by one of the regional accrediting agencies in the THECB
  • Full Foreign Credentials Evaluation of Transcript including: Click here for a list of TEA approved vendors for foreign evaluations
  • Foreign university transcripts
  • Foreign diploma
  • U.S. grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale
  • Overall GPA of 2.75: Overall undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 overall on bachelor degree conferred
  • Must passappropriateTExES content examinationfor desired certification area.
  • If you do not have a TEA ID number you are required to complete thePACT(Pre Admission Content Test).Who can PACT?
  • Must Pass All Four Parts of the TOEFL-iBT
  • Pass the oral portion of with a minimum score of 26 (Institution Code: 8613)

My GPA is below 2.75, am I not eligible?

We set high expectations in our program, but we also understand that life happens. If your GPA is between 2.5 and 2.75, a member of our team will email you with details on how to request reconsideration of your application if you have been prescreened out solely based on your GPA.

My undergraduate GPA is below 2.75, but I have a higher graduate GPA. Does that impact my chances of being admitted to Compass?

The state requires that we consider undergraduate GPAs when making admission decisions. However, we are currently working to develop a process for an appeal to the GPA requirement. We'll email you with details on how to complete this process if you have been prescreened out solely based on GPA. As part of your request for re-consideration, you should feel free to cite your higher graduate GPA as a factor for the Compass team to consider in determining whether to consider you for admission.

Do I need to submit my official transcripts or will unofficial work?

The state of Texas requires an official transcript to be submitted, therefore, no unofficial transcripts will be accepted.

Who is not eligible for the program?

  • Prospective applicants who have completed another educator preparation program in the same certification field are ineligible for admittance.
  • Prospective applicants who have been employed for three years in a public school under a permit or probationary certificate are ineligible for admittance.
  • If you have applied to the Dallas Alternative Certification program prior to November 30, 2015, a new application must be submitted.

Can I apply for the program if I do not have a social security number?

You are able to apply for the Compass program if you do not have a social security number. However, all applicants for Texas educator certification must complete a national criminal history background check as required by The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC).

Where can I get more information about Visa sponsorship?

We encourage you to reach out to the member of our team who handles visa sponsorship (Alfredo San Juan, ) for more information about your visa-specific questions.

Selection

What are the steps are taken to select candidates?

Once a candidate has applied, the next steps include:

  • Application screening
  • Interviews and other screening methods to determine the educator preparation candidate's appropriateness for the certification area

Program Cost

What are the tuition and fees associated with the program?

As a participant in Compass, you are responsible for academy tuition, which will total $3,600. Of that, $300 is due prior to the start of pre-service training. The remaining $3,300 can be deducted directly from your paycheck throughout the year or paid in one lump sum.

Certification and other costs

You are responsible for all costs associated with examinations and certification fees through Texas Education Agency and State Board of Educator’s Certification including fees for any required exams or licensure filing fees. In addition, Dallas ISD requires all educators to have their fingerprints processed for a background check as part of the enrollment and district hiring process; you are responsible for any costs associated with district or school hiring requirements.

Please refer to our expense summary below for a comprehensive overview of costs associated with pre-service training, licensure and district hiring. These cost estimates are provided as a guideline for interested applications and are subject to change without notice.

Fees Paid To Dallas ISD
Pre-Assignment Training
payable by cashier’s check or money order prior to orientation / $300.00
Post-Assignment Training
payroll deducted in equal increments over 12 months / $3,300.00
Total Cost of Fees Paid To Dallas ISD / $3,600.00
Fees Paid To Other Organizations
TExES Content Exam
Note: SPED interns have to take 2 content exams: Gen EC-
6 and SPED tests for a total of $240 / $131.00
TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities Exam / $131.00
BTLPT (Bilingual interns only) / $131.00
Bilingual Supplemental Exam (Bilingual interns only) / $131.00
ESL Supplemental Exam (non-Bilingual interns only) / $131.00
Probationary Teaching Certificate / $52.00
Fingerprinting / $49.75
Standard Teaching Certificate / $77.00
TOEFL-iBT test (out of country applicants)Institution Code for Score Reporting: 8316 / $160.00
Total Cost of Fees Paid To Other Organizations / $438.75 - $860.70

* Please note, cost estimates are provided as a guideline for interested applications and are subject to change without notice.

Where do I submit payment?

Payment must be in the form of a money order or cashier’s check made out to Dallas Alternative Certification Department, and can be mailed to or hand-delivered to 9400 N Central Expressway, Suite 1400, Dallas, TX 75231.

How do I enroll in automatic payroll deduction?

Applicants who are selected into the program will be automatically enrolled into payroll deductions. Please note that you must successfully complete the program and meet all the requirements in order to be eligible for this option. If you withdraw from the program, or you do not successfully complete it, you are responsible for covering all costs.

How do I get financial aid to participate in Compass?

Compass does not directly offer any scholarships. However, you can learn more about scholarships offered by visiting this website maintained by the Texas Education Agency.

Loans or Scholarships

  • If you are interested in pursuing a loan to assist with tuition expenses, you must do so independently, as eligibility varies.
  • Troops to Teachers:Funding may be available for United States military veterans. Interns should reach out directly to Troops to Teachers to learn more.
  • Dallas Retired Teachers Association:DRTA provides one $1,500 scholarship to a Compass intern.
  • Additional scholarships are sometimes made available to Compass interns through North Texas workforce entities. More information will be shared directly with those eligible for this assistance.
  • The Texas Education Agency maintains alist of financial aid sourcesfor those interested in teaching.

Testing

How many chances do I have to take and pass an exam?

The State of Texas allows an individual to attempt a content area exam five times. Please keep in mind there is a 45-day wait limit required between attempts.

Will there be an extension date for testing?

Currently there is no extension date for testing, but we will update you as soon as we can if one is issued. Please note, you must have all required tests passed prior to beginning pre-service training.

When do I take my supplemental exam?

You will need to take your supplemental exam once you have joined the program

If I have failed one section of 291, do I need test approval to register for a subset (801-809)?

Since you have taken the test one time, the ETS system will allow you to sign up for either an individual subtest (801-809) or the entire 211/291 again. Since you already have test approval from us to take the 291, you should be able to register for the subtest. Please note, the subtest will count toward the five time test limit, so be mindful of this when you register as multiple subtest will cause you to reach your test limit quickly.

Which content areas are available?

Secondary Math 7-12
Secondary Science 7-12
Secondary Special Education 9-12
Bilingual Generalist EC-6
Elementary Generalist EC-6 (must also have ESL certification)
English Language Arts and Reading 7-12 (must also have ESL certification)

What is the difference between bilingual and ESL?

In an ESL classroom, students who teach many different languages are all taught by the same teacher. The teacher only speaks English and is not required to speak the native language of any members of the class. All teaching is done in English.

In a bilingual education classroom, all the students in the class speak the same language. The teacher also speaks the language. The way that a bilingual education class generally works is that the teacher teaches in both English and the students' native language, eventually switching over to teaching only in English.

I attended a foreign university, but my instruction was in English. Can I be exempt from the TOEFL?

To be exempt from the TOEFL, your university should send a signed letter on official letterhead stating that your instruction was in English to the Compass office at 9400 North Central Expressway, Suite 1400, Dallas, Texas 75231.

When will I be notified of which tests I have to take?

The test you are required to take depends on the certification area you're seeking. Please see the chart below that outlines which content exam must be passed for each certification area offered.

To Teach / Tests to Pass Prior to Pre-Service Training
Elementary EC-6 ESL / TExES™ Core Subjects EC–6 (291)
Bilingual EC-6 / TExES™ Core Subjects EC–6 (291) and TOEFL (if a bachelors received from outside the US)
High School Math / TExES™ Mathematics 7–12 (235)
High School Science (and ESL) / TExES™ Science 7–12 (236) (or any of the individual Science tests)
High School Special Education / TExES™ Special Education EC–12 (161)
To Teach / Tests Needed to Earn Standard Certificate By End of the School Year
Elementary EC-6 ESL / ESL Supplemental (154)
PPR EC-12
Bilingual EC-6 / Bilingual Supplemental (164)
BTLPT
PPR EC-12
High School Math / PPR EC-12
High School Science (and ESL) / ESL Supplemental (154)
PPR EC-12
High School Special Education / PPR EC-12

Where do I take the required tests?

There are multiple testing locations throughout Texas. Please visit the official testing website hereto find the location nearest you. Also, please note that due to the high volume of testers, travel may be necessary for you to take the exam. Please ensure that you give yourself enough time to register for the exam and provide passing scores at least 30 days prior to the start day of pre-service training.

What should I do if I can't submit my test scores by the deadline?

To participate in the summer 2017 cohort, you must submit passing test scores by 04/28/2017. No exceptions will be made. If you require visa sponsorship, you must submit passing test scores by 01/11/2017. No exceptions will be made.

Where do I submit my test scores?

Please submit your test scores through TeacherTrack, the same place where you completed your initial application. You can access TeacherTrack by clicking here.

Can I change my certification area after I’ve been enrolled in the program?

To ensure each intern has the greatest possibility of securing a teaching position in the district, we certify a limited number of candidates in each content area. Therefore, interns may not change certification areas after being enrolled in the program.

Timeline/Next Steps

What is the latest date I can register/take the test?

In order to allow for full processing of your exam results and onboarding paperwork by the DISD Human Capital Management team, submit all paperwork, including a passing test score at least 30 days prior to the beginning of pre-service training.

I want to check my paperwork. Can you verify that you have everything you need from me?

Our selection team is hard at work reviewing all submitted materials. They will be in touch with you if they require anything further to finish processing your application.

When will I receive my offer?

Our team will begin sending offerson a rolling basis.

Pre-Service Training

Do I have to be present in Dallas for summer training?

Yes, the summer training takes place in person and involves time in classrooms with students.

Am I responsible for my own expenses during training?

Yes, all interns are responsible for their own expenses.

Teaching Assignment

How do you decide which school I am placed in?

During pre-service training, your campus is assigned by Compass; however, once you have successfully completed pre-service training, you must interview for vacant positions on campuses. Principals make the final hiring decisions as to which teachers will join their campuses in the fall.

9400 North Central Expressway, Suite 1400· Dallas, Texas 75231 · T(972) 925-6700· dallasisd.org