Path to Teacher Certification

Education is an essential service of local and state governments, which must ensure that only qualified teachers are entrusted to work with students. Teacher certification requirements and policies vary by state, but in each case the process combines background education with special testing to certify that a teacher is knowledgeable of the classroom material and able to work well with students.

Background

• Before a teacher can apply for work at a public school, he must have a basic educational background that complies with state or school district requirements. This may include a bachelor's degree or enrollment in an education program at an accredited college or university. Teachers may also need to have a certain grade point average to indicate successful completion of course work. In addition, teachers need a clean criminal background with a history free from major problems that might indicate a potential danger to students.

Types

• Several types of teacher certification, which may have slightly different requirements, are available and vary by state. Elementary school teachers often hold certification that allows them to teach preschool to grade three. Others may be certified for kindergarten through sixth or eighth grade. High school teachers often hold a single-subject certification that allows them to teach older students, but only within a given subject area, such as math, English or chemistry.

Time Frame

• The time frame for teacher certification also varies based on state and district policy. Every teacher needs a four-year degree, which may include a set number of hours spent as a student teacher in the classroom. Some school districts offer an internship program as a non-traditional approach to certification. For example, in Los Angeles, new teachers can earn certification in three years if they already hold bachelor's degrees when they enter the program. Some states require teachers to earn master's degrees within a given time frame of beginning to teach; this may require an additional two or three years of course work.

Advantages

• The primary advantage of teacher certification is that it ensures a basic level of knowledge and competency for all teachers in a given state. Single-subject certification prevents teachers from taking on courses that are outside their areas of expertise, while certifications for teaching younger students test a teacher's knowledge of the developmental and social needs of students in that particular age group.

Considerations

• Teacher certification laws vary by state, meaning that teachers who are qualified to work in one state may not be able to work elsewhere before receiving additional training or passing a skills test. Teacher certification is also not the last step in becoming a full-time teacher. Rather, teachers receive occasional assessments and official feedback to determine whether or not they are providing an effective learning experience.