Teacher Recruitment Program

This program helps meet a critical shortage of bilingual teachers in HISD. Teacher aides and other paraprofessionals currently employed in HISD who are seeking bilingual teacher certification are encouraged to apply. Reimbursement for tuition, fees and books will be paid to selected applicants who meet the criteria.

Eligibility criteria for selection are as follows:

Be employed in HISD as a teacher aide/paraprofessional (clerk, secretary, etc.)
Begin or have begun a course of study in bilingual education
Will be or has been accepted at a university/community college
Take a language assessment evaluation in English and Spanish
Sign a letter of agreement to teach bilingual education in HISD

Teacher aides/paraprofessionals interested in applying must complete and submit a Bilingual Teacher Certification Reimbursement Program for Teacher Aides/Paraprofessionals application form.

All applications will be reviewed by a committee who will select participants based on merit and need. Highest priority will be given to applicants who meet the eligibility criteria, have the highest number of hours toward graduation and demonstrate proficiency in Spanish and English.

Selected teacher aides/paraprofessionals must sign a letter of agreement to teach bilingual education in HISD for at least two full academic years after graduation. Participants who leave HISD prior to completion of the two years must repay the district at the following rate:

Three-fourth of the total reimbursed amount if they teach less than one complete academic year Half of the total reimbursed amount if they teach one complete academic year One fourth of the total reimbursed amount if they teach one and a half years None if they complete the two years

Reimbursement Procedures

The Multilingual Programs Department will reimburse state tuition and fees, a maximum of $45 per course for textbooks (no personal supplies), $10 for parking, the permit or application fee and the deficiency plan. Reimbursement for non-resident fees, late fees, installment plan fees, or the fee for the Examination for the Certification of Education in Texas (ExCET) or the Texas Oral Proficiency Test (TOPT) is not allowable. Teacher aides/paraprofessionals who attend private universities will be reimbursed an amount equal to the tuition and fees for residents at a state university.

Teacher aides/paraprofessionals must take courses at colleges or universities that have bilingual teacher certification programs approved by the Texas Education Agency. Once enrolled, selected teacher aides/paraprofessionals are responsible for completing all steps toward receiving certification. Approved teacher aides/paraprofessionals will be reimbursed after each semester for reimbursements to be processed:

Name, HISD school/department, and current mailing address
A request for reimbursement form with an explanation of expenses
Original fee statement and receipt of payment to the university/college
Original receipts for books, with name, social security number and course number on each receipt
Original receipts (or copies of both sides of canceled checks) for permit fee and deficiency plan
Copy of deficiency plan
Copy of grade report

For more information you may call 713-556-6961 or contact:

Jennifer Alexander, Special Programs Manager
Rose Maldonado, Special Programs Secretary

You may also visit the Alternative Certification Program (ACP) Web site.