Requirements for ECE Teacher Certification in District of Columbia
The District of Columbia, D.C., is also known as the capital of the nation. Most people call it Washington, D.C. and it is where many national museums and other important historical landmarks exist. Sadly, the nation's capital is below average in its public education when compared to other states around the country. In fact, it is ranked by some organizations at 45th out of the 50 states. Despite these factors, the District of Columbia has made early childhood education a top priority. If you’re looking to become an early childhood educator in D.C., you’re in the right place.
District of Columbia Steps to Follow for Teachers
Step 1. Teaching Degree and Teacher Preparation Program
Successfully completing a teacher preparation program, specifically in early childhood education, is a requirement by the (OSSE) Office of the State Superintendent of Education. These programs are good for Pre-K through grade 3. An approved and accredited degree program will meet all the requirements for gaining licensure and this includes classroom subject and hours requirements, as well as opportunities to obtain hands-on teaching experience in a classroom.
The District of Columbia requires a minimum of a four-year bachelor's degree. If it is anything other than an education degree, you’ll also need to complete a teacher preparation program in order to be licensed. Most state-approved teacher preparation programs finish by granting you a degree. This can be a bachelor’s degree or even a master’s degree. A master’s degree can take the form of a Master of Education, Master of Arts in Teaching, or a Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning (M.Ed., M.A.T., or M.A.T.L.). These masters programs are available to those who already have an undergraduate degree. Your degree from any college must be from an accredited institution in order to be accepted as a formal ECE degree.
This all means that the teacher programs can be selected for both undergraduate and graduate varieties. It is possible to qualify to teach before completing all the requirements. Those who meet the criteria that make them eligible for alternative routes would fit into this category. They may be provided the ability or opportunity to teach while attending their preparation program. Washington DC currently has five alternative career programs in early childhood education.
Step 2. Passing the Required Examinations
Washington DC requires all Preschool teachers to take and pass certain academic skill exams. These are the nationally accepted standard examinations for teaching certification, the PRAXIS I and PRAXIS II. The PRAXIS I, also known as the PRAXIS CASE (Core Academic Skills for Educators), has 3 sections: reading, writing, and mathematics. This first test will prove you have baseline knowledge that will allow you to teach a range of subjects and requires passing scores in each section: Reading = 156; Writing = 162; Mathematics = 150. The PRAXIS II exam includes specific content knowledge in early childhood and requires a score of at least 165. There is also an exam for early principles of learning and teaching which requires a score of at least 159.
You will need to make arrangements to take the exams at an approved ETS Center. All PRAXIS exams are administered through the ETS. You can go to their website to schedule exams and for practice and study material.
Step 3. Apply for Teachers Licenses
As soon as you have completed all of the requirements you will be able to apply to get your initial license as an early childhood teacher in D.C. If you went through a traditional program, then you would simply apply for your licensure, Regular 2. If you went through an alternative program, then you would get your Regular 1, which will give you two years to qualify for the next level of licensure. That particular license is not renewable.
Once you get your Regular 2 license you will need to renew it every 4 years. To do so, you will need to have completed 6 semester hours of professional development. You may also choose to do 90 contact hours or complete a combination of the two. Any of those choices will allow you to renew your license.
Step 4. Other Teaching Requirements
The District's Head Start program works with specific agencies and assists them in carrying out activities that are designed to positively impact low-income children from the time they are born to the time they enter school. Teachers wanting to work in one of these Head Start agencies will be required to have at least an associate's degree but many of the positions require a minimum of a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited University or College.
The DEL which is the Division of Early Learning leaders and coordinates activities in D.C., so that children in the District of Columbia from birth to pre-kindergarten are able to access quality programs that support early childhood development. It is the DEL’s responsibility to license all qualified centers in Washington DC. The District has very good quality Pre-K education in its public schools, as well as through several community-based organizations and public charter school systems.
Grants and scholarships may be made available to these types of community programs for this purpose. Anyone wanting to be a preschool teacher in one of these centers will be required to have at least one of the following:
An associate's degree in early childhood education or development.
An associate or bachelor's degree with a minimum of 15 credit hours in early childhood education or development. This also requires working as a teacher assistant, which will mean working under the supervision of a licensed and experienced teacher in one of the centers or an equivalent experience.
Completed a minimum of 48 credit hours, including 15 hours in early childhood education. This also requires two years of supervised work experience in a licensed center.
A CDA credential (Child Development Associate).
3 years of supervised work experience along with the completion of a Child Care Certification course.
Popular Career Choices
Preschool Teacher
Kindergarten Teacher
Elementary School Teacher
Special Education Teacher
Professional Organizations Available for Teachers
The WTU has existed for over 40 years and currently has over 5,000 members. They help to keep the standards of the teaching profession high and they strive to strengthen schools. This organization also gives legal services to its members and they have other benefits as well. The NEA resides in Washington DC and it seeks to constantly improve public education. It also has the country's biggest professional employee organization and currently has three million members.
Becoming a preschool teacher is not only a career choice with long-term stability but is also one which you can take great pride in. Reaching children at the earliest age provides the best opportunity to create and instill in them a love of learning as well as helping them understand how to learn. This sets them up to succeed in their school life and beyond.
Accredited District of Columbia Programs
To teach within the district will require a minimum of a 4-year bachelor's degree. Although the typical route would be to get that degree in early childhood education, it is possible to apply for a teaching certificate in D.C. even if your degree was in another area of study. However, that will require you to enroll in a hands-on teacher education and preparation program in addition to your degree.
There are essentially three different licenses you can go for in DC. The first, called 'Regular 1' is meant for those who are going through a state board-approved teacher preparation program while they are employed at a local public school. This type of credential is good for two years and cannot be renewed. The next license, called 'Regular 2', is what you would apply for after successfully completing the approved teacher preparation and education program. This license is good for 4 years and can be renewed every 4 years. You may apply for a Regular 2 license without first obtaining a Regular 1 license if you have met a few other requirements, which you can find listed in the DC Municipal regulations. The third license you might consider is called 'Transitional' and is good for one year. This is for someone who is teaching content related to their specific degree major.
Someone coming from another state to the district to teach and who holds a currently valid license can apply for 'reciprocity', which would allow them to obtain a teaching license if they meet specific requirements. There are also other alternative routes to gain licensure and these can be done through DC Teaching Fellows and Teach for America organizations. When applying for any of these you'll need to make sure that you have all the required material and official transcripts. You'll also need to be able to provide your test scores and you will have to submit to a criminal history check.
Frequently Asked Questions About Certification and Licensing
Question: Is it necessary to already have a license before applying to teach in the District?
Answer: It is not necessary to have your license to apply but it is necessary that you meet all the qualifications to be a licensed teacher. The OSSE which is the Office of the State Superintendent of Education is the department that will award teacher licenses.
Question: Is it possible to work as a substitute teacher in early childhood education if I am not licensed?
Answer: The district requires all teachers to be licensed and a substitute teaching license is required through the State Superintendent of Education Office.
Does Washington DC Have Early Childhood Degree Programs?
Yes, there are several ECE degree programs in Washington, D.C. Here are some of the options available:
George Washington University
This is a large and well-respected Institution with over 20,000 students. You can earn a master's degree in early childhood special education or in elementary education. They also have some doctoral degree options. This school has three campuses in the metropolitan area.
Degrees Offered:
School Counseling and Guidance Services; MS., Dr., & Post-Grad Certificate
Curriculum and Instruction, MS. & Dr
Education, Other; MS.
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs; MS.
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries; Post-Grad Certificate
Elementary Education and Teaching; MS.
Reading Teacher Education; Post-Grad Certificate
Special Education and Teaching; MS., Dr., & Post-Grad Certificate
Accreditation By: General Accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education; Education Program is NCATE accredited
Howard University
This is a private school and was originally founded for African-American students. Here you can get a bachelor's degree in elementary education. They also offer a master's degree in early childhood education and in elementary education. This University pays special attention to providing cultural and social experiences to its students.
Degrees Offered:
School Counseling and Guidance Services; MS. & Post-Grad Certificate
Early Childhood Education and Teaching; MS.
Educational Leadership and Administration; MS., Dr., & Post-Grad Certificate
Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision; MS.
Elementary Education and Teaching; BS. & MS.
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching; BS.
Reading Teacher Education; MS. & Post-Grad Certificate
Special Education and Teaching; MS. & Post-Grad Certificate
Accreditation By: General Accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education; Education Program is CAEP accredited
Catholic University of America
This University is run by the Catholic church and it provides a quality bachelor's degree program in early childhood education. Because it is part of the Catholic Church it does provide an atmosphere that teaches about Catholicism while giving a top-notch education to its students.
Degrees Offered:
Curriculum and Instruction; MS.
Early Childhood Education and Teaching; BS. & MS.
Education, General; BS & Post-Grad Certificate
Elementary Education and Teaching; BS.
Special Education and Teaching; AS. & MS.
Accreditation By: General Accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education; Education Program is NCATE accredited
These are just a few of several opportunities for earning the necessary credentials to become a preschool teacher in the District of Columbia. There are also other accredited universities or colleges that will offer degree programs suitable for this career path. There are also other avenues that you can pursue as well as teaching within the public-school system.
Educators in the District of Columbia's K-12 public universities require to be suitably certified. Teacher licensure in Washington DC is handled by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education. The instructor credentials procedure is detailed listed below to aid you learn just how to come to be a teacher in Washington DC.In order to get qualification to educate in public colleges in Washington DC, feasible teachers have to please the demands for initial licensure, that include finishing a bachelor's degree as well as trainer preparation program, passing the called for trainer testing, as well as also ending up a criminal background check.
The Workplace of the State Superintendent of Education and finding out offers a checklist of approved programs. You can contrast crucial metrics for these state-approved educator preparation programs by making use of the sortable table on our Washington DC institutions website. Programs headquartered out-of-state or that deal online educator prep jobs require to be accredited by the board of education or educator licensing company for the state in which the program is headquartered.
Like numerous states, Washington DC needs possible educators to finish a criminal history background check. Candidates need to send fingerprints through an accepted company. For current demands and also guidelines, define the Office of the State Superintendent of Education. Additionally, prospects seeking the Normal I certify must have an existing work offer from a District of Columbia public school, unless they satisfy the needs for a Routine II certification.
Confirmation of present registration in or university graduation from a licensed educator prep work program. Confirmation of a job deal in a local DC organization area. Sealed results of the fingerprint history check, unless a neighborhood DC university location is supplying results to the licensing office on the possibility's part. Passing ratings on the Praxis Core Academic Talents for Educators as well as also Praxis subject examinations.
Around the country, including in Washington, D.C., the area of preschool is an expanding work. As even more study studies reveal that those that get in these programs do far better than youngsters that do not, it is entering into the usual public-school system in every state. These programs much better prepare young people for all kinds of understanding, from kindergarten with high school.
The District of Columbia, our country's financing extra normally called Washington, D.C. is residence to lots of historical spots and across the country galleries. The location gains below-average marks for its overall public education and learning and discovering system, in comparison to the fifty states. It is ranked the 45th finest education and learning and discovering system in Education Week's 2013 annual positions, receiving a basic "C-" top quality.
You will absolutely need to accustom on your own with this site, as it has lots of sources beneficial to both ambitious instructors as well as existing teachers. To be able to receive Washington, D.C., candidates need to have acquired the minimum of a bachelor's degree. The 3 significant sort of licenses readily available are as abide by: Routine I: genuine for 2 years for candidates that are currently signed up in an accepted teacher-preparation program and coach at a local D.C.
Be specific to send out the suitable application along with the needed materials, such as main records, test ratings, a criminal history record, fees and more. It takes about 12 weeks to process a permit. View the Often Asked Queries web page, or speak to the licensing department, ought to you have any kind of more issues pertaining to the certification/licensure treatment.
It makes use of a bachelor's degree in primary education and learning and learning, along with master's degrees in both early childhood and also main education as well as discovering. It prides itself on the social and social experiences conveniently available to pupils. across the country university got in touch with the Catholic Church that provides bachelor's levels in very early young people as well as additionally key education and learning and also learning.
Public colleges use the considerable bulk of individuals looking for professions in really early youth education as well as knowing. The Job Opportunities websites articles used positions, as does the Washington Write-up Jobs website. Area of Columbia Training Jobs is an absolutely complementary solution that makes it possible for customers to create a resume, try to find openings, prepare an application, refer companies and additionally extra.
Make sure to check into the child-care centers in your city, as many of these facilities remain in consistent demand of exceptionally licensed teachers as well as assistant trainers. GreatSchools.org can aid you find premier kindergartens and elementary schools in your area, likewise. There are great deals of professional firms for teachers in Washington, D.C
. The education and learning area of the Washington Short article covers hot subjects, problems and also occasions in D.C. universities, as does the Huffington Post's education and learning website. The Washington Instructor is created to help in communication, worrying education and learning also. Educator SOL is created by a Washington, D.C. teacher that shares a series of course sources for differentiated direction, proficiency centers, assessing treatment, class tracking, class setting, option boards along with even more.
The Work environment of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is dedicated to increasing access to top-notch, affordable young person treatment in the Location of Columbia. As an element of this dedication, OSSE recently enhanced the marginal education needs for the extremely early childhood labor force in DC. This consists of center directors, educators, assistant educators, and also caretakers in qualified house youngster growth homes.
If you presently hold a permit from an additional state, you will need to get a DC allow to show for DCPS. Much more details for licensure prospects that hold an energised complete instructor credential that is in superb standing in an added state is offered below (see Selection 3). Usual level teacher as well as management services credentials might be restored according to the revival selections outlined at this internet site.
Preliminary instructor and likewise management solutions certifications might not be brought back. Yes, however you ought to have a minimum of your bachelor's level as well as meet the minimum eligibility criteria. Leads that meet the very little credentials requirements can progress with the instructor application.
For even more details on trainer credentialing for school-based trainers, see OSSE's Instructor Credentialing in addition to Certification page. In addition, school-based training assistance workers have numerous expert development demands as well as are suggested to get in touch with the monitoring at their making use of university for more details.
The Youngster advancement team, consisting of center managers, instructors, assistant instructors, house caregivers, associate house caregivers, and enhanced house caretakers can access details concerning the new very early youth years education and learning demands and find sources to sustain their training needs.
If you want to have the opportunity to be a preschool teacher in the District of Columbia, there are a few things you must know about the process. These are not the only requirements, but these are the minimum requirements that you need to meet in order to work in the area. The best thing is that many people have already gone through the process and are now teaching preschool in D.C.
A lot of people who teach in D.C. have a passion for teaching, they truly love what they do, and they are committed to making sure their students have a fun learning experience. These are the qualities you want as a teacher.
As a teacher, you must be well prepared with good grades. You will need to take all of your courses at the City University of New York on a full-time basis. You may be required to take additional classes as well.
You will need an education degree from a regionally accredited university. This will be needed if you want to teach preschool in the District of Columbia or any other school district. It is also important that you have been certified through the United States Department of Education.
You must also have teaching experience. These types of classes will require you to complete the necessary coursework and exams to ensure that you have the necessary knowledge in order to teach these classes. Once you have completed the coursework, you will need to take a national certification exam. You will find that this exam requires that you pass a written section, and an oral section.
There are many successful candidates each year who have already graduated from a school district and are now teaching. The reason for this is that the schools will require some amount of experience in order to qualify for the position. The schools want teachers that are willing to learn and willing to grow.
The next thing you must have is some experience teaching children. If you are going to be working in the District of Columbia, you must complete the necessary requirements that the school district has set forth in terms of education and experience.
Once you have met all of the requirements to work in the District of Columbia, you must get on the waiting list. Once you are on the list, you can apply for a position. The waiting period is usually around a year.
The next step in how to become a preschool teacher in the District of Columbia is to complete all of the pre-employment requirements. You will find that you will have to submit a resume and cover letter. You will have to submit information regarding educational degrees, certificates, certifications, and related experience. This information is used to determine whether or not you are the right person for the position.
When you go through the employment process, you will be asked about things like how long you have been employed by the district, the length of time that you have worked in the district, and so on. During the interview, you will be asked questions such as to what areas you most enjoy teaching, and what type of students you have taught in the past. As far as the classroom environment goes, you must be able to demonstrate the ability to teach a friendly and positive atmosphere.
When you are hired, you will need to do the pre-employment training. This is often referred to as the orientation program. This is where you will first learn all of the information about how to teach at a specific preschool.
Pay is also a factor that you must consider when looking for a job. The pay is going to vary depending upon how many years that you have been employed and the school district you are in.
If you are in the District of Columbia, you will have a different type of benefits than someone who has been employed elsewhere. This is because there are certain health insurance plans that you will need to have coverage with.
Career Options and Salary Info for Teachers
All over the country, including in Washington, D.C., the field of preschool is a growing career. As more studies show that those who enter these programs do far better than children who do not, it is becoming part of the standard public-school system in every state. These programs better prepare children for all forms of learning, from kindergarten through high school. The District of Columbia is seeing a substantially larger growth rate than is found in most other states.
Between now and the year 2022 it is expected that DC will have up to a 33% higher growth rate than the national average. Overall, the salaries for preschool teachers are higher than they are in other states. Most teachers earn over $30,000 a year and many earn over $40,000 a year. Currently, the District of Columbia has the fifth highest level of employment of any major city in the country.
Washington, D.C. is also substantially increasing the funding available for public schools to help improve the education being provided to its students. In recent years it has seen close to a 10% increase in its overall budget. This means an influx of over 55 million dollars in additional funding, which is believed to be having a positive impact on student outcomes. Head Start programs have also received almost 14 million dollars in grants, as the district continues to work on improving its public-school system from Pre-K onward.