ARTC Courses

The ARTC legislation requires 200 hours of instruction in adolescent development, classroom management, instruction and assessment, reading in the content areas, cultural diversity, exceptional children, and teaching methods specific to the subject area being taught. These requirements are based on national (NASDTEC) standards, and cover the same content required for all secondary teachers in Delaware.

ARTC courses are designed to address these topics and more specifically the Delaware Professional Teaching Standards that define what all Delaware teachers "should know and be able to do" in the classroom. The curriculum is closely aligned with the Delaware New Teacher Mentoring Program and with the Delaware Professional Assessment System for evaluating teacher performance.

ARTC teachers complete 5 graduate-level courses.

Effective Teaching Strategies
Adolescent Development & Classroom Management
Reading in the Secondary Content Areas
Diversity in the Classroom
Methods of Teaching in the Specific Content Area

Ideally, candidates begin the program in the summer before they enter the classroom, but "late hires" may also begin the program in the Fall or Spring when enrollments allow.

Two to three courses meet in the summer, in intensive all-day, 2 to 3 week sessions. Courses during the school year meet on occasional Saturdays and during after-school hours at the University of Delaware campuses in Newark and Georgetown.

ARTC is based on a "cohort" model. Groups of teachers begin and go through the program together in their own classes. Classes are small, focused on immediate classroom needs and taught by experienced classroom teachers and administrators.

Because ARTC is a state-approved program, candidates must complete it in its entirety, typically within 12 to 18 months. Candidates who complete a comparable course PRIOR to enrolling may not have to retake that course, but once enrolled, candidates may NOT substitute "equivalent" courses taken outside the program.

To remain in the program, candidates must regularly attend and actively participate in all scheduled sessions, and earn a grade of "C" or better in all course work.

Note that completion of the ARTC program requires that candidates successfully complete their ARTC course work AND the internship in lieu of student teaching supervised by their school AND Praxis I and Praxis II test requirements.