TTT people rated higher in exhibiting behaviors that are associated with increases in student achievement.
--William Owings, Professor of Educational Leadership at Old Dominion University
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Licensure/Certification Requirements |
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Licensure/Certification requirements vary from state to state. Additionally, some states offer alternative or provisional licensure. In general, it is best to complete a licensure program at one of the institutions in the state where you intend to teach. This typically reduces the bureaucratic overhead involved in getting the state teaching license you seek. Additionally, not all states offer clear reciprocity for licenses earned in other states, so additional requirements may need to be addressed when an individual chooses to teach in a state other than the one in which they were licensed. Something else to consider when choosing a licensure/certification program is that each higher education institution has their own requirements designed to address the state requirements. In other words, licensure programs may differ in length based on the school you wish to attend. Some steps to get you going include: 1. Start talking to institutions which offer certification programs - Ask the institution for the details of their program(s):
- Are the courses offered at times when you can attend?
- Cost per credit hour for tuition.
- Cost and type of fees.
- Average time needed to complete the program.
- Transcripts and records needed to apply to the program and application procedures.
- Is there a point-of-contact on the campus familiar with the TTT program?
- Financial aid available for potential teachers.
2. Get started! (There's no such thing as a free lunch - nobody is going to come to your house and hand you a teaching license/certificate.) - Have your transcripts evaluated by the appropriate office at your institution of choice.
- If you have decided which program to attend, sign up!
- If you are a participant, contact us and let us know what program you are attending, when it starts, ends, type of certification you will obtain, at what level (elementary, secondary, middle) etc. We will put this information into your file for potential employers to review.
- For those who applied and have stipend funding available, submit your initial stipend request to DANTES.
For those who are still in the military.... If you want to get started right away, you have sufficient time to take courses needed to fulfill some portion of the requirements for your program, and you are not in the same state as the institution which will be granting your final certification, you should: - Work with your education center counselor to develop a course of action and a degree plan leading to a degree appropriate for the subject(s) you plan to teach (i.e., if you want to teach teach science or English, do not earn a business management degree because you can complete it in the shortest amount of time).
- Identify your VA educational benefits. (VA and GI Bill benefits can be used to fund completion of a teacher certification program.)
- Investigate the SOCED program at your education center.
- Carefully coordinate and document all coursework. Ensure that all of your acquired credit will transfer to the institution in the state you plan to move to. Before signing up and paying for courses (in your current state), have the degree or certification granting institution in the state you are moving to validate the transferability of credits toward your program. Have the institution provide you with written documentation with the appropriate official's signature. Don't waste time and money on courses that will not help you to complete your final program!
Alternative Licensure/Certification
As teacher shortages escalate, more and more states are designing alternate routes to licensure to encourage mid-career changers, post-career changers, non-education majors, etc. into the profession. The extent to which these programs deviate from "standard" routes and do such things as provide credit for experience depends on the extent of a state's need for new teachers, beliefs regarding the education and training of teachers, and the interaction or "balance of power" between state education agencies, institutions of higher education, individual school districts and the professional organizations representing teachers and academic administrators. That being said, be aware not only of the variety to be found among alternate routes to licensure programs but also that the effectiveness and perceived effectiveness of those programs varies from state to state. Also be aware that, in general, licensure gained through an alternate route tends to be less transferable from state to state. |
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State Specific Requirements |
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Highly Qualified
All teachers are required to be highly qualified under the No Child Left Behind Act. Each state determines the requirements for highly qualified teachers. To obtain a license in an academic subject area, individuals are required to have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Requirements vary for a vocational license but usually require years of experience in the vocational field and some college courses. All teachers are required to complete some type of teacher licensure program.
Substitute Teaching
Each state also determines the requirements to become a substitute teacher. Some states only require a high school diploma while others require a bachelor's degree. All states require a background check and the completion of a substitute application.
Subject Matter or Content Area Testing
Most states require teachers to demonstrate proficiency in their subject matter or content area by completing an assessment (e.g., PRAXIS, NTE, PLACE). Candidates should consult state educator licensing/certification offices to determine which tests are required.
State Requirements
For more information on specific state requirements, please visit individual state pages.
To obtain a California credential in any subject area, individuals must complete a teacher credentialing program. Programs are available at the graduate and undergraduate level. There are also alternative internship programs available that allow individuals to teach full time while completing teaching credential requirements.
Substitute Teaching
Substitute teaching is encouraged as it allows individuals to network while gaining an understanding of various schools, districts, and subject areas. Emergency teaching permits authorize the holder to serve as day-to-day substitute teachers in any classroom, including preschool, kindergarten, and grades 1-12. Permits are valid for one year. The holder may serve as a substitute for no more than 30 days for any one teacher during the school year, except in a special education classroom, where the holder may serve for no more than 20 days for any one teacher during the school year. Substitute teachers in California must have a bachelor's degree and pass the Basic Skills Requirement.
Paraeducators
Paraeducators support classroom teachers, usually at the elementary level, in a variety of subject areas. California paraeducators are required to hold an associate's degree or pass the Basic Skills Requirement. Individuals interested in opportunities as paraeducators should contact a local school district for additional information.
The Paraprofessional Teacher Training Program (PTTP) is a state-funded paraeducator (instructional assistant/aide) career ladder program leading to a teacher preparation program and ultimately, to a teaching credential. Paraprofessional participants may be undergraduates, or they may already have a Bachelor's Degree but have not done any teacher preparation coursework. Program participants receive assistance with college/university tuition, fees, and books, as well as other support services to increase success in the program, in accordance with each local program design. Participants who are undergraduates and who earn a Bachelor's Degree may remain in the PTTP and enroll in a teacher preparation program, or they may enroll in a Pre-intern or Intern Program, as applicable to their individual circumstances. For more information, email Marilynn Fairgood: mfairgood@ctc.ca.gov
Testing Requirements
California requires all teachers to meet the state's Basic Skills Requirements. California accepts The California Basic Educational Skills Test™ (CBEST®) to meet requirements of laws relating to credentialing and employment. This test requirement in no way replaces any of the other requirements of subject matter knowledge, professional preparation, and practice teaching or field experience used in the issuance of credentials. The CBEST is designed to test basic reading, mathematics, and writing skills found to be important for the job of an educator; the test is not designed to measure the ability to teach those skills. The examination is delivered in English, and all responses must be in English. Individuals can register and download study materials for the CBEST exam at http://www.cbest.nesinc.com/.
State Needs
California is currently experiencing a need for teachers in a variety of subject areas, especially math, science, special education and linguistically diverse education.
To obtain a Colorado license in any subject area individuals must complete a teacher licensure program. Programs are available at the graduate and undergraduate level. There are also alternative programs and teacher in residence licensing programs available that allow individuals to teach full time while completing teacher licensure requirements. To qualify for an alternative program individuals must have at least 30 specific semester hours in the desired subject area and pass the appropriate exam.
Substitute Teaching
Substitute teaching is encouraged as it allows individuals to network while gaining an understanding of various schools, districts and subject areas. To obtain a substitute license in Colorado individuals are required to have completed a bachelor's degree and pass a background check.
Paraeducators
Paraeducators support classroom teachers, usually at the elementary level, in a variety of subject areas. Colorado paraeducators are required to hold an associate's degree or pass the Work Keys Assessment. The Work Keys Assessment is a general knowledge exam and is offered by the school districts prior to employment. Individuals interested in opportunities as paraeducators should contact a local school district for additional information.
Testing Requirements
Colorado requires one content knowledge exam for the desired subject. Colorado accepts the PRAXIS II exam in five subject areas including elementary education, English, math, science, and social studies. The PRAXIS II exam is offered through Educational Testing Service (ETS). Individuals can register and download study materials for the PRAXIS II exam at www.ets.org. All other subject areas require the PLACE exam. The PLACE exam is offered through National Evaluation Systems. Individuals can register and download study materials for the PLACE exam at http://www.place.nesinc.com/.
State Needs
Colorado is currently experiencing a need for teachers in a variety of subject areas, especially math, science, special education and linguistically diverse education.
Key State Links:
Colorado Commission on Higher Education
Colorado Department of Education
PLACE Testing
PRAXIS Testing
Hawaii is the only state with a single, unified school system. The Department of Education (DOE) operates 255 regular schools and 3 special schools. Student enrollment exceeds 182,000.
The DOE has adopted standards-based reform and the Hawaii Content and Performance Standards, establishing high expectations of academic and professional performance and accountability at all levels in the statewide public school system. Professional educators are the cornerstone of the state's mission to prepare Hawaii’s youngsters for the 21st Century.
Most of Hawaii’s schools embrace the concept of School Community Councils (SCC), which involves shared decisionmaking, encourages parental participation, provides administrative flexibility, and empowers school communities.
Employment Opportunities:
The Department of Education employs almost 13,000 teachers, librarians and counselors. The renewed emphasis on excellence in education has contributed to an increase in teachers’ salaries, reduced class size, improved curricula, and expanded educational resources. Geographically, job opportunities occur on all islands—Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Kauai. However, the greatest demand for new teachers occurs on the neighbor islands and in the more rural areas of Oahu, away from the major population center of Honolulu. Special education and mathematics remain the highest need subject areas.
For more information on job opportunities in Hawaii, visit the Hawaii Department of Education Office of Human Resources.
Licensure Requirements: The Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (http://www.htsb.org) requires candidates to meet licensure requirements. They are: Completing a State-approved teacher education program from an accredited institution, and Passing appropriate PRAXIS tests at the State-validated levels.
The Department of Education requires completion of a structured interview with an authorized professional staff interviewer. Teachers are eligible for tenure after completing two consecutive semesters of probation. A teacher must possess a teaching license before starting probation. Sometimes a teacher is permitted to begin employment without fully meeting standards. In these cases, employment is temporary to a maximum of three school years and these teachers do not have an opportunity to earn tenure.
Hawaii has recently broadened its acceptance of alternative route programs.Western Governors University was among the first to be accepted. Even though new teacher hires have decreased significantly recently, some non-certificated special education and mathematics teachers will be hired. Once budget cuts are lifted, Hawaii will likely continue its two special education programs - ARLISE and BASE. Salary and Compensation:
The collective bargaining contract establishes the annual salary rates for new teachers. Such information is published annually to reflect the most current salaries in the document “Teachers’ Salary Schedule.” Up to six years of non-DOE teaching experience is accepted for salary placement. Experience must be officially verified before being credited and must have been in a recognized K-12 public or private school. Certain active military experience, up to four years, may also be used in combination with acceptable teaching experience for salary credit, allowing an individual to enter at a higher step. A combination of teaching and military experience may not exceed six years.
Application Procedure:
If you meet the requirements for teaching and have a strong desire to nurture and develop students to become contributing members of an educated society, the Department encourages you to apply for teaching or specialist positions in Hawaii’s public schools. School librarians and school counselors are specialist positions. To apply for employment, obtain a complete application from the Hawaii Department of Education. Other Information:
For more information about working and living in Hawaii, contact the Chamber of Commerce for the island on which you plan to reside as well as the Hawaii Visitors Bureau. The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii (Oahu)
1132 Bishop Street, Suite 402
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 •
Phone: (808) 545-4300
http://cochawaii.com
Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce
106 Kamehameha Avenue
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Phone: (808) 935-7178
www.globalindex.com
Kauai Island Chamber of Commerce
2970 Kele Street, Suite 112
Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii 96766
Phone: (808) 245-7363
www.kauaichamber.com
Maui Island Chamber of Commerce
313 Ano Street
Kahului, Maui, Hawaii 96732
Phone: (808) 871-7711
www.mauichamber.com
Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau
2270 Kalakaua Avenue, Suite 801
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
Phone: (808) 923-1811
www.hvcb.org
To obtain a Kansas license in any subject area individuals must complete a teacher licensure program and have an academic major, or equivalent, for the desired subject area. Programs are available at the graduate and undergraduate level. There are also alternative programs available that allow individuals to teach full time while completing teacher licensure requirements.
Special Education
Individuals interested in teaching special education must first be licensed in another subject area. However, individuals currently licensed in Kansas can be hired to teach special education on a restricted license while the special education coursework is completed.
Substitute Teaching
Substitute teaching is encouraged as it allows individuals to network while gaining an understanding of various schools, districts and subject areas. To obtain a substitute license in Kansas individuals are required to have completed a teacher licensure program. However, school districts may hire individuals with at least 60 semester hours of college coursework on an emergency substitute license.
Paraeducators
Paraeducators support classroom teachers, usually at the elementary level, in a variety of subject areas. Kansas paraeducators are required to have a minimum of 48 semester hours of college coursework or pass the state paraeducator assessment. Kansas accepts the Para-Pro Assessment, Para-Educator Assessment and Work Keys Assessment. All exams assess general knowledge and are offered by the school districts prior to employment. Individuals interested in opportunities as paraeducators should contact a local school district for additional information.
Testing Requirements
Kansas requires two PRAXIS examinations including the Principles of Learning and Teaching for the appropriate grade level and the Content Knowledge exam for the subject area. Both exams are administered through Educational Testing Service (ETS). Individuals can register for the tests and order study materials at www.ets.org.
State Needs
Kansas is currently experiencing a need for teachers in a variety of subject areas, especially math, science and special education. Kansas maintains numerous reports and files for public reference. Take a look at their web portal for more information.
Partner School Districts
Kansas City Kansas Public Schools
- Located in Kansas City, Kansas
- Includes three preschools, 30 elementary schools, eight middle schools, four high schools, Sumner Academy of Arts and Science, two alternative schools, and one technical school
- Serves 19,561 students with 1,669 teachers
- Greatest need are math, science and special education
- Also in need of substitute teachers
Manhattan-Ogden U.S.D. 383 - Located in Manhattan, KS near Fort Riley
- Includes nine elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools
- Serves 5,450 students with over 1,000 employees
- Greatest needs are math, science and special education
- Also seeking paraprofessionals and substitute teachers
Salina Public Schools U.S.D. 305 - Located in Salina, KS
- Includes eight elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools
- Serves over 7,000 students with 1,600 employees
- Greatest needs are math, science and special education
- Also seeking paraprofessionals and substitute teachers
To obtain a Nebraska license in any subject area individuals must complete a teacher licensure program. Programs are available at the graduate and undergraduate level. There are also alternative programs available that allow individuals to teach full time while completing teacher licensure requirements.
Substitute Teaching
Substitute teaching is encouraged as it allows individuals to network while gaining an understanding of various schools, districts and subject areas. Nebraska issues two types of substitute certifications. A five year certificate is available to individuals who previously held a regular teacher or administrator license. A three year local substitute certificate is available to those who have previously held a license. To obtain a three year certificate individuals must apply through a Nebraska school district as the district is required to request the substitute certificate from the Nebraska Department of Education. For more information on substitute teaching in Nebraska click here.
Testing Requirements
Nebraska requires the Basic Skills Competency exam administered through Educational Testing Service (ETS) for all teacher and administrative certificates (excluding substitute certificates). For more information on the exams required by Nebraska click here. Individuals can register for the tests and order study materials at www.ets.org.Clark County School District (CCSD) has the greatest need for teachers in Nevada and is the 5th largest district in the nation. Check out the CCSD website for information about job openings.
State Approved Training Pathways
The review of training providers (colleges, university, schools/districts) by the state authority to determine if the course work meets state standards and requirements. It many cases, this streamlines the request for a teaching credential if you complete a “state approved” training pathway.These are some of the providers approved for Nevada: CCSD Alternative Routes Regis University
Rio Salado College Sierra Nevada College State Approved Training Pathways
The review of training providers (colleges, university, schools/districts) by the state authority to determine if the course work meets state standards and requirements. It many cases, this streamlines the request for a teaching credential if you complete a “state approved” training pathway. |
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