Alternative teacher certification programs allow school districts, accredited independent schools, boards of cooperative services, and institutions of higher education to develop and implement school-based preparation for teachers. This handbook is designed to assist individual organizations and groups to develop alternate teacher certification programs that comply with the alternative teacher licensing program established by the Colorado General Assembly and the State Board of Education. Topics covered include: the definition of an alternative teacher education program; the roles of the designated agency, the advisory council, the support team, and the mentor teacher; teacher instruction, supervision, and evaluation in the program; fees; program monitoring; minority fellowships; and designated agency reporting. Effective practices used by other states are described in each section. Appendices include an alternative teacher program Statement of Eligibility form, employment and license recommendation forms, and an application sequence for alternative teacher licensing. (ND)