Teaching requires a high level of education and preparation. Standards have increased as efforts continue to address problems in schools and improve student outcomes. Specific requirements are set by individual states, so there is no one timetable. All states, however, follow some general guidelines so you can estimate how long it will take to become a teacher.
Types
The traditional path to becoming a teacher starts with a bachelor's degree in education from an approved teacher preparation program accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education or the Teacher Education Accreditation Council. This is necessary in all states to be certified and teach in public schools. You should plan on a minimum of four and probably five years to satisfy all the requirements to become a teacher. Those who already have a bachelor's degree in another field can pursue an alternative preparation program in most states that takes one to two years.
Function
The undergraduate curriculum of a teaching preparation program takes four years of full-time university study to complete. Prospective teachers take courses in educational methods, philosophy and psychology. Other courses are designed as preparation to teach specific subjects, including literature, mathematics, natural and social science, music and art. Those preparing to teach in secondary school frequently major in the field they will be teaching.
Features
A key feature of teacher preparation is hands-on student teaching. In the past this involved practice teaching during the course of undergraduate study and that still fulfills the requirements in many states. In recent years several states have adopted a one-year professional development program following the awarding of the bachelor's degree and includes supervised teaching and additional coursework.
Effects
Once a prospective teacher has met the educational requirements, she must pass the certification exams mandated by the state Board of Education. The exams include basic skills exams and exams for teaching at different grade levels. These vary slightly in different states but generally consist of early childhood development (kindergarten and early grades), middle school and secondary school.
Significance
Most states have alternative paths to becoming a teacher. All require a prospective teacher to have a bachelor's degree in some field. Due to teacher shortages in many states, non-teaching professionals are actively recruited. In a non-traditional path, the person is placed as a teacher under close supervision for one to two years and takes the required coursework from an approved program while teaching. He must then pass the regular certification exams.
Considerations
Although you can become a preschool teacher without certification in some states, this practice is declining and you should plan on getting a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. Teachers moving from one state to another may run into some problems with reciprocity since there is no national standard. However, if you take and pass the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards exams, all states will allow you to begin teaching. You may still be required to pass local board exams. Ongoing professional development is mandatory in every state. For career advancement to supervisory positions, many states now require a master's degree.
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