Each state has clear expectations attached to teacher certification, so it is wise to begin by looking at your state government's education website for the specific requirements. However, since many states offer a reciprocal teaching degree, meaning that a teacher can go between state lines once they are certified and be qualified to teach in the other state (after completing necessary paperwork), the basic requirements for certification fall into three major categories as outlined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (2009): the completion of state-approved teacher education programs including a student teaching or intern experience, proficiency on the Praxis I and Praxis II assessments and/or America Council Testing Foreign Language (ACTFL), and documentation that all certificate requirements have been met (transcripts, test scores and the like).
Each state has several different options within each city and region for a student to attend a state-approved education program. To determine if a university or college is state-approved, a list of accredited programs can be found on the state education website. Once accepted into a program, either as an undergraduate or graduate, "the program approval process is based upon general and subject-specific guidelines, rather than a minimum number of credits, set by the Department of Education and implemented by the preparing institution." (PA-Educator, 2009) There are also programs geared towards non-traditional students who are seeking teaching certification as a second career choice, or who already have a bachelor's degree in another subject area. Some universities even offer teacher programs that allow students to work during their program or obtain a higher degree, such as a master's degree in conjunction with the teaching certificate.
Once a certain number of credits have been completed, a student usually enters into a professional internship or student teaching experience.The accredited university education program will determine student teaching or internship placement. Most universities have agreements with local school districts that will place the student teacher for a semester or year, depending on the program, under the guidance of a tenured classroom teacher. Once accepted into a student-teaching practicum, the student teacher will teach the classes of the mentor teacher, receive criticism and feedback from the mentor teacher on site, and be observed periodically by a university-appointed internship or student teaching adviser. Meeting satisfactory expectations of the teaching practicum is a portion of the student's grade, as well as a determinant of their application for a professional teaching certificate.
All teachers, must meet proficiency on both the Praxis I and Praxis II (content area) standardized tests before a teaching license can be issued. As explained by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (2009), "to receive certification in Pennsylvania, candidates are required to take a series of subject specific and general content tests known as PRAXIS. Approximately 36 other states have similar requirements." The Praxis I is a basic certification exam and contains basic knowledge in the core subjects of mathematics, reading and writing, while the Praxis II is a more specialized exam that deals with the teacher's chosen subject area. The grade levels that teachers choose to teach, as well as the subject area, determine which tests they will have to take. Proficiency or passing of the Praxis is based on the composite scores of all three subject areas. Additional information about the Praxis online (see Reources). Foreign-language candidates have the option of taking either the Praxis series or the ACTFL. Candidates may contact the ACTFL Language Testing office online, as well. (Pa Dept. of Ed, 2009)
In addition to the certification credits, teaching practicum and testing requirements, all teacher candidates must undergo background checks and submit proper documentation to verify their clean criminal history. The background check for each state includes the following, as outlined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (2009):
1. State Police Request for Criminal Records Check (Act 34). Applies to individuals hired as of January 1, 1986.
2. Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151)
3. Federal Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) in a manner prescribed by the Department of Education.
Failure to present the proper documentation or comply with the background searches will keep an otherwise marketable teacher candidate from obtaining his Level I (basic) certification.