Frequently Asked Questions
about the Q-TRAC Project:

What is Q-TRAC?

The Quality Teacher Recruitment and Assistance Consortium (Q-TRAC) is an opportunity for people with at least a baccalaureate degree in mathematics or science, or a mathematics or science related field, to earn Texas teacher certification with financial and personal support. The Q-TRAC partnership includes the University of Houston Colleges of Education, Natural Science and Mathematics, and Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and five high-need school districts in the Houston area - Houston ISD, Spring Branch ISD, Aldine ISD, North Forest ISD, and Pasadena ISD.

Am I eligible?

To qualify for Q-TRAC you must have at least a baccalaureate degree with either mathematics or science of sufficient rigor to enable you to pass the content portion of the teacher licensing examinations.

What would I get?

Teacher candidates enrolled in the Q-TRAC preparation program will move through the program in cohort groups of up to 40 candidates, which begin each Fall and Spring semester. It is anticipated that during the three years of the project, 200 candidates will be served through at least five cohorts.

Scholarships, of up to $2,500, are available per semester and summer of full time study (9 hours for a regular semester, 6 hours in summer) will be available for candidates entering the Q-TRAC preparation program. The recipient is expected to become fully certified and to teach es in a high-need middle or high school for at least the same amount of time (s)he received the scholarship. Q-TRAC participants will be eligible to receive additional scholarships and Q-TRAC personnel will assist them throughout the application process.

Participants are expected to enroll for a minimum of nine hours of graduate credit for each semester of the preparation program, or six hours during the summer. These may be applied to a master's degree. The field-based preparation program is delivered by a Faculty Team . The program is grounded in the underlying principles of strong academic content and learner-centered instruction. The program is delivered in a configuration that allows participants to be employed while participating in the program.

Upon completion of the Q-TRAC preparation program, the participating districts will facilitate the employment process to help channel these newly certified teachers into positions in high-need schools. Once employed, Q-TRAC participants will receive intensive induction support for the first two years of teaching. Once certified, candidates can take a position in any school system – and there are 54 in the Houston metropolitan area.

What am I committing to?

Scholarship funding is provided by the U. S. Department of Education. They require that recipients become fully certified, and teach full time in a high need school for at least the period that the recipient receives scholarship support. If a recipient fails to become certified, or fails to teach the minimum period in a high need school, funds received must be repaid to the U. S. Department of Education by the individual.

How do I apply?

The admission procedures for Q-TRAC are designed to attract the most promising teaching candidates. Prospective Q-TRAC teachers will engage in an intensive half-day admissions process. The following areas will be rated by an Admissions Committee (composed of school and university professionals) and used in screening candidates: a) Acceptable GPA; b) High Needs Field (mathematics or science) or Level; c) Member of Under-represented Group; d) Application; e) The Haberman "Star Teacher" On-Line Pre-Screener ; Group Discussion/Task; g) Written Reflection on Group Discussion/Task; and a Composite Score on the Haberman instrument.

1. Each applicant will be asked to complete an on-line The Haberman "Star Teacher" On-Line Pre-Screener instrument in the computer lab at the University of Houston . This instrument has effectively identified teacher candidates who are more likely to be effective in high need schools.

2. Participants will engage in a 15-minute small group discussion about a significant issue such as bullying in schools, effects of poverty or immigration, or some other current issue. Following the discussion, they will work as a group to formulate a school-wide plan and a set of procedures for dealing with the particular issue. The group process will be observed and rated using behavior codes to describe each candidate's actions during the group discussion. The four areas rated will be: Communication, Interpersonal Relations, Group Leadership, and Quality of Ideas.

3. Each candidate will write a reflection of the group experience from two perspectives: reflection on their own performance, and (2) reflection on the contributions made by others in their group.

How do I contact Q-TRAC?