My transition from the military to a civilian job was actually just a change in uniform, for teaching is still a way of serving this country by making a difference in a child's life.
--Roosevelt Dickerson, Special Education Teacher, East High School, Denver, CO
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Kansas Teacher Preparation Programs |
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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
Directory of Approved Teacher Preparation Programs in Kansas
This directory provides a listing of Kansas state approved programs for the preparation of professional educational personnel. This publication is intended to be a source of information regarding available educator preparation programs in Kansas institutions of higher education. The directory is divided into two sections. The first section indicates the licensing programs approved by the Kansas State Department of Education for endorsement areas. The second section lists approved programs by institution. Â
Partner Licensure Programs
Emporia State University (ESU)Â
Emporia State University offers the Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education and Secondary Education. ESU also offers a variety of graduate programs in education as well as an alternative licensure program. For more information about ESU, visit www.emporia.edu/teach or contact Dr. Ken Weaver, Associate Dean, The Teachers College, kweaver@emporia.edu, 620-341-5552.
Fort Hays State University (FHSU)
FHSU offers a variety of education programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. Students can study online or on campus in Hays, Kansas. FHSU also offers the Transition to Teaching program which allows students to teach full time while completing Kansas licensure requirements.For more information about FHSU visit www.fhsu.edu/coe or contact Kerry Schuckman at 785-628-4542 or kschuckm@fhsu.edu.
Kansas City Kansas Fellows Program
The Kansas City Kansas Fellows Program, an alternative certification program, is open to individuals who hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree or equivalent content in an area such as math, science, Spanish or English, and who aspire to become teachers in a Kansas City, Kansas middle school or high school.The course of study for this teacher education program is offered in Kansas City through a partnership with Pittsburg State University.Applications will be accepted starting October 1, 2008 - March 1, 2009 for the 2009-2010 school year. For more information please visit www.kckps.org/teach/fellows.ÂSouthwestern College
Southwestern College is excited to offer education programs right here at Fort Riley. Starting in January, there will be three education programs available to the community. In partnership with the post education schools, we will be offering a Bachelor’s of Arts in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Elementary Education. Southwestern College will also be offering an online Master of Arts in Teaching for those individuals who would like to become licensed in secondary education. Southwestern College also offers a Certificate in Homeland Security and a Bachelor of Science in Security Management on post. We also offer several bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees and certificate programs completely online. Most courses are six weeks in length and we provide a military discount. For more information contact Danette Buckley at danette.buckley@sckans.edu or 785-784-9930. Alternative licensure programs allow you to work full time while completing the education coursework required to obtain an initial license. To enter the program, you are required to have a major or the equivalent of a major in the subjects you would like to teach. Once accepted, you will receive a letter of eligibility and can apply for employment with any school district in Kansas as a teacher under a restricted license. While you are teaching full time, you will then complete your education coursework at a college or university.  For a directory of state approved Alternative Licensure programs, application materials, eligibility requirements, and other details, visit http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=320. Many universities offer online or distance learning teacher preparation programs. When considering online and distance learning programs, ask: - Does the program license teacher candidates in your state?
- Is your state reciprocal with the program's state? Some online programs license you in one state, such as Arizona or Florida, and you will need to transfer that license back to the state in which you desire licensure or certification. This may require additional application or testing procedures.
- Is the entire program available online or just portions?
- Does the program offer financial aid for online courses? Federal financial aid (e.g., Stafford and Perkins loans) is only applicable to certain accredited online programs.
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