Requirements for ECE Teacher Certification in Colorado
The Colorado Board of Education approved a resolution that supports a plan to offer full-day kindergarten in the state of Colorado. This policy decision fits with a long line of Board policy reviews to improve participation in early childhood education across the state. The proposal for full-day kindergarten would give parents the choice of a full-day, no-cost education and childcare program.
The Colorado government issued a report to the legislature on its preschool program. The annual survey called the Colorado Preschool Program Legislative Report 2019 includes a study of the overall impact of early education in Colorado. The findings support the conclusion that students who participated in Colorado preschool and early education programs had much higher success rates than similarly situated children who did not participate. This report summarized thirty years of progress and demonstrated the effectiveness and social benefits of early childhood education on individual students, student families, and the communities in which student’s live and grow.
Colorado Steps to Follow for Teachers
The best way to become an ECE teacher in Colorado is to complete a bachelor’s degree in early childhood or a related subject. You may also need endorsements, which have specific requirements that must be met if you want to be considered competent in those areas.
Colorado has a three-tiered teacher licensure process. The first level of licensure is the Initial Teacher License that must be renewed unless the teacher can complete the requirements for a professional license. The third level is an honorary level of the master teacher. The master teacher certification reflects and honors outstanding contributions to the teaching profession in Colorado. Colorado was among the few states that did not require basic skills tests. The regulations do require competency testing in the specific grade and subject areas to be taught.
Testing is one of the available pathways to establish licensure by proving competency to support endorsements.
Step 1. Earn Your Degree
Colorado will accept a bachelor’s degree earned from a regionally accredited school, college, or university. Acceptable accreditation includes the CHEA and Department of Education appointed regional accreditors such as the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities. You’ll also need to have completed an approved teacher preparation program. Most programs that culminate in a degree include the teacher preparation program, but you will want to be certain any school you are considering includes that program, as you cannot be licensed without it.
Step 2. Pass Your Exams (Gain Endorsements)
Colorado requires a passing score on the PRAXIS elementary education content exam for elementary education teachers. The PRAXIS content exams replaced the previous PLACE exams as of 2017, though if you took the PLACE exam as late as 2016, your test scores will be accepted until 2022. If you are looking to receive the school social worker endorsement, you’ll need to complete the ASWB clinical or the Advanced Generalist exam instead.
Your passing exams scores will gain you grade-level endorsements, allowing you to teach any student that falls within the realm of your endorsement.
Endorsements include:
K-6: Elementary Education
K-12: Health, Drama Theater Arts, Instructional Technology, Music, Physical Education, Visual Arts, World Languages, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Bilingual Education, Dance, Reading Teacher and Specialist, Teacher Librarian
PreK-12: Gifted Education, Gifted Education Specialist
Ages 0-8: Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education and Specialist
Ages 5-21: Special Education Specialist and Generalist\
Ages 0-21: Special Education Specialist: Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Special Education Specialist: Visually Impaired
Step 3. Standards and Qualifications
Colorado follows the NAEYC standards for birth through age eight education. This consists of formal education, classroom, and other teaching experience, demonstrated competencies, continuing education, and professional development. In 2016, Colorado adopted PRAXIS content testing and has integrated these tests into the system to certify endorsements and license teachers. Colorado honors reciprocity agreements with other states, though out-of-state teachers must have degrees from accredited schools and at least some years of teaching experience under their out-of-state license.
Popular Career Choices
Preschool Teacher
Kindergarten Teacher
Elementary School Teacher
Special Education Teacher
Colorado Promotes Early Childhood Education
Colorado needs early childhood educators to meet the growing demand for early childhood education. The population growth trend in Colorado has tapered in recent years; the rate is slow and steady. The demand for early education comes from the realization that early education is critical to the lives of our children and a predictor of later success in learning and contributions to the community. The state has opened doors to increase participation.
For example, Child Find is the Colorado program for identifying children that may have a delay in development. The program responds to concerns about development based on observations, and it supplements that information with testing and referrals. Children in preschool programs may get Child Find referrals from educators. The policy goal is to use early childhood education as a means for focusing resources when they can do the greatest amount of good.
Accredited Colorado Programs
Colorado teachers should have endorsements in their academic records for the subject areas they intend to teach. Teachers can also establish subject matter qualification through PRAXIS testing in the disciplines that wish to teach.
Initial Educator License
The first level of licensure in Colorado is the Initial Educator license. Applicants must prove completion of an approved teacher preparation program. The initial license is renewable and is valid for five years. License holders must meet the continuing education and training requirements for renewal. They must perform 150 clock hours of approved coursework and projects. Initial license holders must complete an approved induction program to move to the next level of licensure called the professional educator license.
Professional Educator License
During the valid period of the initial license, teachers may work through their school district or other hiring authority. The induction program includes periods of mentoring from a master teacher and professional development steps. The induction includes peer and teacher evaluation, performance evaluation, and assessments.
Master Teacher Certificate
The master teacher certification represents a level of achievement in Colorado education. A very small number, about 300 of about 40,000 teachers have the ‘master’ designation. Historically, the state has issued less than 2,000 master certificates. The master designation certifies a teacher that has demonstrated outstanding teacher performance and made recognized achievements in education.
Alternative Educator License
Colorado welcomes degree holders at the bachelor’s, master’s, and higher levels. Applicants must complete teacher preparation or an equivalent to demonstrate competence. While completing the program requirements, Candidates may teach full-time with supervision and technical support.
Colorado has shifted its application process to permit all-electronic and online filing for the various types of licensing and alternative licensing. To apply, applicants create e- Licensing accounts with the Colorado Department of Education. This system accepts scanned documents for direct electronic submission including the application, transcripts, and assessments.
Accreditation
Accreditation is important to teaching students and applicants for teaching licenses. Accreditation is an objective standard that measures the components and overall quality of educational services at institutions of higher learning. By applying a consistent set of standards, accreditors provide a measuring rod for all schools in a given part of the United States. Because the accrediting agencies have oversight from DOE and CHEA, there is consistency among the regional accrediting agencies.
Colorado teacher licensure requires completion of a course of study that includes at least 24 credit hours of early childhood education coursework at an accredited institution. The state only accepts accreditation from the Department of Education and CHEA approved regional accreditors. The state accepts degrees from schools accredited by the below-listed accrediting associations.
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education
Higher Learning Commission (formerly the NCA-HLC)
New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities
Accredited Early Childhood Educator Teacher Preparation Programs
University of Northern Colorado
Degrees Offered:
School Counseling and Guidance Services; Master’s & Dr.
Early Childhood Education and Teaching; Bachelor’s
Educational Leadership & Administration; Master’s & Dr.
Elementary Education and Teaching; Bachelor’s, Master’s, & Dr.
Reading Teacher Education; Master’s
Special Education and Teaching; Bachelor’s, Master’s, & Dr.
Accreditation By:
Higher Learning Commission
Regis University
Degrees Offered:
Bilingual and Multi-lingual Education; Post-grad Certificate
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism; Post-grad Certificate
Education/Teaching of the Gifted and Talented; Post-grad Certificate
Elementary Education and Teaching; Bachelor’s
Reading Teacher Education; Master’s & Post-grad Certificate
Special Education and Teaching; Bachelor’s
TESOL/ESL Language Instructor; Post-grad Certificate
Accreditation By:
Higher Learning Commission
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Degrees Offered:
Early Childhood Education and Teaching; Bachelor’s
Special Education and Teaching; Bachelor’s
Accreditation By:
Higher Learning Commission
Adams State University
Degrees Offered:
Early Childhood Education and Teaching; Bachelor’s
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching; Master’s
Special Education and Teaching; Master’s
Accreditation By:
Higher Learning Commission
University of Colorado Boulder
Degrees Offered:
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education; Master’s & Dr.
Elementary Education and Teaching; Bachelor’s
Accreditation By:
Higher Learning Commission
Commission on English Language Program Accreditation for English Language instruction
Specialization Additional Certifications
Colorado schools offer endorsements in specializations with their degrees in early childhood education and elementary education. These endorsements and specializations can include special education and further specialties in working with children with autism, hearing, and visual disabilities.
For example, Colorado State University offers an alternative pathway to teacher certification for bachelor degree holders. Students can get a Master of Education and Human Resource Studies, specializing in education, equity, and transformation and qualify for a teaching license.
Rules began 2000 developed the Colorado Early Young People Expert Credential. The legislation produced a volunteer tiered system of certifications that identifies elevated knowledge and also experience for those that take care of in addition to informing our youngest children. The very early young people location was proactively included in the advancement of the credential system as well as has actually enthusiastically welcomed it.
Credentials see to it that all specialists looking after and also educating youngsters have the similar core early youth years competence despite setup - household day care, day care facilities, public universities. The Credentials assist produce a system of education and learning and additional training that promote the perfect development and education of kids.
The application treatment takes around 6-8 weeks from the moment your total application bundle is managed by the Department of Early Care as well as additional Knowing (DECL) up until the outcomes of your evaluation are sent out to you.
Colorado, a state identified for its many tourist communities in the Rocky Hills, falls back to the UNITED STATE normal according to Education Week's annual nationwide settings. It gained a basic "C" grade and also is rated the 35th state in the nation by 6 various actions in 2012, according to EdNews Colorado.
You will certainly require to familiarize yourself with this website, as it consists of several resources important to both ambitious educators and existing trainers. The three major kinds of licenses readily available to Colorado trainers are as adhered to: Preliminary Educator License: This license is for new applicants who have actually successfully finished a trainer preparation job program.
Various Teacher Permit: This authorization is for individuals holding a bachelor's degree or greater that have actually not yet taken part in a teacher preparation program. Candidates might advise irreversible with guidance and likewise help while completing the program needs. To apply, prospects should establish an eLicensing account with the Colorado Department of Education And Learning.
Please get in touch with the Instructor Licensing division, should certainly you have any sort of extra problems worrying the licensure/certification treatment. is just one of the nation's leading public research study universities as well as provides a bachelor's level in primary education and learning as well as discovering and also master's degrees in very early youth years education and learning and also knowing as well as elementary education and learning and learning. is a Buddhist-inspired liberal arts college that uses a bachelor's degree in early childhood education and learning as well as discovering, in addition to a master's degree in contemplative education planned for youngsters of all grades.
Various other businesses to come to be familiar with are independent schools, Head Beginning in addition to Montessori colleges. Make sure to explore the kid therapy centers in your community, as much of these centers remain in constant need of highly-qualified educators as well as also assistant educators. GreatSchools.org can help you discover premier preschools as well as likewise grade schools in your area, also.
ECEA membership consists of licensed child treatment centers, including singles along with several centers, profit as well as charitable centers, faith-based and also non religious facilities, preschool as well as likewise school-age programs. Each individual has one ballot no matter the range of centers meant. Individuals are prompted to visit month-to-month meetings along with participate in board work.
There may be definitely nothing a lot more pleasing than seeing a kid brighten after discovering something brand-new. And also there might be absolutely nothing even more crucial than to help overview society's youngest and additionally most in jeopardy individuals toward taking their very initial intellectual activities. As an MSU Denver Early Youth years Education and learning considerable, you will certainly find to look after, inform and also collaborate with children, birth via age 8.
You will in addition invest great deals of time observing and also displaying in genuine class. Due to the truth that MSU Denver worries real-world discovering, your Very early Childhood years Education and learning as well as learning program will definitely provide considerably extra area experience than the state requires. As a Really very early Childhood years Education and finding out major, you can pick from two concentrations, one that produces licensure and one that does not.
Choose the non-licensure alternative if you want to wind up being an Extremely early Childhood educator, director or instructor in centers and additionally firms that require Colorado Division of Individual Services credentials yet not licensure; an early youth years professional, such as an advocate or strategy specialist, or dream to look for graduate looks into in Very early Childhood Education and finding out or relevant location.
Why would she inform preschool when she could make a hell of a great deal even more money mentor preschool? It's a query I have really listened to over and over once more reporting on education. In some areas, we pay extremely early youth years teachers much less than fast food employees, less than three learners. As a country, we've acknowledged the importance of early discovering as well as yet, when you take a look at what we pay those instructors, it does not accumulate.
That's a bit bulk of what preschool trainers were making: $51,640. We obtain a fresh appearance at these numbers in a record today from the Obama Management relating to deep space in spend for really early education educators, part of the White House's United State of Female Top. Credentials to be a preschool teacher are frequently different than those to be a preschool or first-grade teacher, depending upon the state along with the sort of preschool program.
Still, in all 50 states, preschool instructors gained considerably minimized revenues than preschool educators as well as various other elementary school teachers. As well as that's not it: If preschool instructors in 13 states were rather teaching preschool, their yearly salaries would certainly double. Louisiana as well as Oklahoma educators have the tiniest void in earnings between preschool and also kindergarten, with a distinction of about $7,000 in each state.
Yet if the goal of extremely early young people education and learning and also understanding is to shut the readiness void specifically amongst low-income, generally non-white students, Barnett guides out, after that the group of individuals we're relying upon to do that, aren't completely prepared. "If we're merely working with the female following the door, they're not more than likely to have those capacities," he declares.
Becoming a teacher in Colorado is one of the most rewarding professions available today. In fact, this is one of the states that has been able to attract some of the most promising candidates for teachers.
This is largely because of the state's teacher's job outlook. The state's unemployment rate is relatively low, making it very easy to find a teaching job in the state. There are also many high paying jobs available.
Another important qualification to have to become a teacher in Colorado is a high school diploma. For teachers who want to teach in kindergarten and preschool, it is not a necessity, but those who want to teach elementary students require a diploma. Those teachers who want to teach middle school students need a diploma in math, science or physical science, and those who wish to teach high school students should have a diploma in English.
Once you've completed your education, you'll need to pass the state exam to become certified as a teacher in Colorado. You must take the exam every two years.
Because the state is facing such a dire need for teachers, it is also one of the states that is providing the best support for the education system. The state has also made some excellent improvements for parents who choose to send their children to private schools, including providing a high quality education.
In addition to providing opportunities to individuals from all walks of life, becoming a teacher in Colorado provides many other benefits for schools, districts, and communities. School districts can save money with the use of new teachers each year. They will also be able to provide more services for students, and be able to focus on things like literacy, math, and science education.
It may also be a way for people to get back into the classroom experience. There are always students who have trouble focusing or staying on task, and getting a job as a teacher is a chance for these students to get back into the classroom and continue learning. This helps to build their confidence as they move forward in school.
With the incredible pay, benefits, educational opportunities, and benefits, becoming a teacher in Colorado makes a great choice. For those interested, there is no better place to look than the state of Colorado.
Parents can take advantage of the good education that their children will receive when they enter the classroom. Colorado is home to some of the finest private schools in the country. The state also has some of the finest public schools in the entire country.
Public school districts in the state provide a great learning experience for children who don't have the advantages of private schools. Public schools offer a variety of subjects, activities, and extracurricular activities for their students. They also offer quality education for a reasonable cost, and a great return on investment.
Some of the schools in the state also offer after school programs and summer camps. These are great opportunities for students who would rather stay on campus during the summer months.
Public schools in Colorado have a number of different programs available for kids. If a student is interested in the arts or music, he or she can find a program that offers an assortment of musical and artistic programs. These programs give students a chance to learn about music while learning the basics of playing an instrument.
Public schools also offer a wide variety of educational classes for children to learn about math, science, and English. They have programs available for children with special needs or even foreign languages, and are great opportunities for children to develop a love for learning.
Career Options and Salary Info for Teachers
Public schools in Colorado hire thousands of teachers. The state requires a teaching license based on completion of a teacher preparation curriculum at a regionally accredited school, college, or university. The state has three types of license, and they accept alternative licensing for out of state applicants.
Private childcare is an important type of employment for early childhood educators. Private employers do not have to restrict hiring to bachelor degree holders from regionally accredited schools, but many choose to hire licensed Colorado teachers.
Private schools must draw from the same talent pool as public-school employers. They must offer equally high-quality education to attract students and their families. Many private schools offer unique programs to add depth to their educational programs that public schools may not offer. The advantages of private schools often stem from the quality of their faculty and available resources. Private schools hire significant numbers of licensed Colorado teachers and specialists.
Head Start programs are a significant employer of teachers that work with income-challenged families. Nowhere is the impact of early education felt more than in its impact on lower income families. Early childhood education can help reduce the limitations on income and mobility by providing a solid, early-learning foundation. The Colorado Head Start Association is an active participant in early childhood education in Colorado.
Community-based programs hire licensed Colorado teachers to plan and carry out their programs for early childhood education. Community-based organizations have unique and essential connections to their communities and are often in the ideal position to attract young learners and their families.
Faith-based programs require teachers with high levels of skills and knowledge to work with early learners. Colorado has school choice options for parents that include faith-based, private, and charter types of schools. They need experienced and talented ECE educators in the many learning and childcare environments sponsored by faith-based organizations.
Military programs offer childcare and early education to children of military families. The military strives to provide safe, nurturing, and educationally advantageous environments for the children of armed forces personnel living in or near military installations. The clear trend favors hiring early childhood educators with bachelor’s and master’s degrees to teach in and administer these facilities.