Requirements for ECE Teacher Certification in North Dakota
In 2015, North Dakota instituted the Early Childhood Education Grant Program that was slated to benefit both public and private programs that were designed to help low-income four-year-olds. The state had four stipulations:
Programs must be a member of a local Early Childhood Education coalition or a board member.
The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction must approve the program's ECE curriculum and facilities.
Each grant holder should incorporate 10 hours of researched-based parental involvement to its curriculum.
All programs must document its willingness to accept children of all cognitive/learning abilities.
This program continues in the 2018-19 school year and it promises to do great things statewide. That's because investment in Early Childhood Education yields a 7-10% dividend, according to noted economist James Heckman, of the University of Chicago. Heckman's research has shown that communities have much to gain by investing in low-income children aged birth through age five.
North Dakota Steps to Follow for Teachers
North Dakota's pathway to the classroom will be similar to those from other states. Generally speaking, if you wish to become an Early Childhood Education teacher, you will need to complete a state-approved teacher-preparation program, pass one or more standardized tests, and submit legal paperwork that attests to your character. However, North Dakota has a few nuances that all prospective educators should heed prior to submitting their licensure application.
Step 1. Earn Your Degree
When you decide that you wish to devote your life and career to educating North Dakota's children, you will first want to find an appropriate degree program. North Dakota has many state-approved programs to choose from. However, it's worth noting that the state is part of a coalition of Western states that allows you to study in out-of-state colleges at the standard in-state rate. Thus, if you can't find exactly the program you want, you might look in other states, such as California, Washington, Colorado, or Wyoming, to name a few.
Regardless of where you study, your teacher-preparation program should be state-approved and include a student teacher experience. If you do study out-of-state, the ND Education Standards and Practices Board recommends that you go ahead and attain a license in that state. From that point, you can easily attain an Other State Educator License (OSEL) and not have to worry with the North Dakota standards. However, if you don't take that route, you will need to apply for an Out of State Reciprocal License in North Dakota.
Step 2. Pass Your Exams
Every state requires that its teachers pass at least one test. The majority choose tests from the PRAXIS series of exams, and each state has slightly different standards for those. North Dakota also requires PRAXIS for its teachers. To be an Early Childhood Educator, for instance, you will need to take two tests, where some other states require only one. Those tests are Early Childhood Education and Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood. The tests, their codes, and content breakdowns are as follows:
Early Childhood Education – Code 5025
Language and Literacy: 30%
Mathematics: 25%
Social Studies: 14%
Science: 14%
Health and Physical Education; Creative and Performing Arts: 17%
Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood – Code 5621
Students as Learners – 22.5%
Instructional Process – 22.5%
Assessment – 15%
Professional Development, Leadership, and Community – 15%
Analysis of Instructional Scenarios – 25%
Additionally, North Dakota is now requiring that all teachers, regardless of intended classroom subject area, take these three examinations that measure your core academic skills. You must achieve a composite minimum score of 466 and achieve the minimum scores on the individual tests.
Core Academic Skills: Reading – Code 5712, minimum score 149
Key Ideas and Details – 35%
Craft, Structure, and Language Skills – 30%
Integration of Knowledge and ideas – 35%
Core Academic Skills: Writing – Code 5722, minimum score 153
Text Types, Purposes, and Production – 60%
Language and Research Skills for Writing – 40%
Core Academic Skills: Mathematics – Code 5732, minimum score, 143
Number and Quantity – 30%
Algebra and Functions – 30%
Geometry – 20%
Statistics and Probability – 20%
Step 3. Standards and Qualifications
The final part of becoming a teacher will entail background checks from the North Dakota State law enforcement bureau, as well as the FBI. You will need to submit fingerprints to complete the process. If you have any convictions on your record that don't involve children, but which are more serious than a simple traffic infraction, you should account for those. That is, you’ll need to write a letter that explains the issue and details how you made amends to the state. If you have receipts attesting to your completion of a sentence, payment of a fine, etc. you should include that. If the letter is in a matter-of-fact, professional tone, and is thorough, the Board should accept your license. If you are unsure, have a paralegal or other legal professional review the note.
One requirement that North Dakota teachers must meet is the Mental Health Requirement. If you complete your teacher-preparation in-state, your program will include the requisite course as part of the core curriculum. If, on the other hand, you graduate from an out-of-state university, you will need to take a course from the University of North Dakota to fulfill this part of your application. Your school district may also have a satisfactory course.
Popular Career Choices
Preschool Teacher
Kindergarten Teacher
Elementary School Teacher
Special Education Teacher
Why Teach Early Childhood Education?
Early Childhood Education is often overlooked as a profession. This is a shame because it is vital to the lives of students and is even a boon to communities. That is, when a child is afforded instruction and the ability to play and explore from an early age, they are more likely to succeed later on. Just as you would water and feed a seedling, so do young children need early care.
On top of this, nobel-prize winning economist James Heckman's research has discovered that community investment in low-income Early Childhood Education pays serious dividends. In particular, his work shows that when low-income children aged birth-5 years are given preschool opportunities the community receives a 7-10%return on that investment.
Accredited North Dakota Programs
Initial License:
This is a two-year license that will start your teaching career.
First Five-Year License:
Upon completing your first 18 months teaching as a full-time educator, you can apply for this credential. If you stay current with your CEU (Continuing Education Unit) credits, then you can renew this every five years.
30 Year Life License:
After teaching for 30 years in North Dakota schools, you can apply for this non-expiring license. Congratulations.
Substitute License:
If you have a minimum of 48 college credit hours, a successful background check, and have completed the online application you can fill-in for full-time teachers in South Dakota. If you have the permission of a school's principal, you might even be able to take over as a long-term sub when a teacher needs to be out for an extended period – as for maternity leave.
Accredited Early Childhood Educator Teacher Preparation Programs
If you hear the calling for the teaching profession and wish to become credentialed as a North Dakota teacher, an accredited Early Childhood Educator program is a necessity. That is because the state needs to see that you have fulfilled every requirement. You will not only need a degree, but your program will be asked to send a letter that recommends you for the profession. There are many training options for prospective educators in North Dakota. Here are a few:
University of North Dakota
Degrees Offered:
School Counseling: Master's
Early Childhood Education and Teaching: Bachelor's, Master's
Education: Master's (M.Ed.)
Educational Leadership and Administration: Master's, Doctoral
Special Education: Master's
English as a Second Language: Master's
Accreditation By:
Higher Learning Commission
North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
North Dakota State University
Degrees Offered:
School Counseling: Master's, Doctoral
Educational Leadership and Administration: Master's
Music Teacher: Bachelor's
Speech Teacher: Bachelor's
Accreditation By:
Higher Learning Commission
North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Valley City State University
Degrees Offered:
Elementary Education and Teaching: Bachelor's
Music Teacher Education: Bachelor's
School Librarian/School Library Media Specialist: Bachelor's
Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor: Bachelor's
Art Teacher Education: Bachelor's
Accreditation By:
Higher Learning Commission
North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)\
Sitting Bull College
Degrees Offered:
Early Childhood Education and Teaching: Associate's, Bachelor's
Elementary Education and Teaching: Master's
Teacher Assistant/Aide: Associate's
Accreditation By:
Higher Learning Commission
North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board
Specialization Additional Certifications
Special Education:
To work in this specialty area, you will need to take additional coursework and pass the PRAXIS test that is particular to your subject area. You could choose from specializations that include, but are not limited to:
Early Childhood SPED
Deaf and Hearing Impaired
Blind and Sight Impaired
Gifted Education
Students with Learning Disabilities
Students with Intellectual Disabilities
School Counseling: To achieve this certification, you will need a master's degree in counseling, education, or a related human service field, such as Social Work. Your official transcripts should reflect significant work in counseling.
Reading Specialist: Reading Specialists need an M.Ed. or M.S. degree in Reading Education and passing PRAXIS scores, to help the student achieve full literacy. Children in your classroom will advance through a series of books and comprehension tests to get their reading skills up to speed.
Those that prefer to teach in North Dakota's public K-12 institutions need to at first make certification from the state. The North Dakota Education Demands as well as also Practices Board looks after the qualification procedure, which is described below for those wishing to uncover exactly how to end up being an instructor in North Dakota. Like most US states, North Dakota calls for all instructors to hold a bachelor's degree, finish a teacher preparation program, and also pass the proper material and additional subject assessments.
Novice instructors that fulfill all requirements are gotten approved for a two-year Preliminary In-State License. After effectively instructing for 18 months, trainers might update to a license that stands for as high as 5 years prior to rebirth is needed. 10.6% Potentially the most important activity in the direction of teacher accreditation in North Dakota is ending up a top quality teacher education as well as discovering programs at an approved institution.
Go To the North Dakota Education As Well As Understanding Demands and Practices Board for information on accepted programs. You can additionally contrast important metrics for these state-approved teacher prep work programs by using the sortable table on our North Dakota universities website. When examining prospective universities, it's similarly vital to validate that the organization is identified by among the 6 regional qualification firms managed by the US Department of Education And Also Discovering.
Furthermore, colleges may hold certification from the Council for the Certification of Teacher Preparation Job (CAEP). Though CAEP certification is not needed for North Dakota instructor prep work program permission, it brings an extremely revered credibility in the education and learning and also discovering market. All North Dakota teacher candidates have to finish a bachelor's level as well as also state-approved teacher prep work program.
For qualification, the state of North Dakota needs a 2.50 overall grade variable average on all college coursework tried. The bachelor's level considerably has to include a minimum of 32 credit scores and human resources. The coursework needs differ based upon the top quality degree( s) a possibility seeks to instruct; nevertheless, all leads should take an accepted program in Native American Researches.
All applicants should pass the Praxis Core Academic Abilities for Educators test. This is a fundamental skills examination that assesses understanding in analysis, composing, as well as maths. Leads require to similarly acquire a passing rating on the Praxis Subject Examinations for the wanted area of accreditation. Prospective teachers acquiring North Dakota educator certification for the first time have to complete a fingerprint screening for state and additionally federal government criminal background checks.
As soon as the activities to North Dakota educator credentials have actually been completed, candidates are required to submit their applications to the Education and learning and learning Standard and likewise Practices Board. The adhering to papers is called for: Official transcripts revealing evidence of bachelor's degree. Verification of teacher program verdict at an authorized teacher prep work institution. Passing ratings on the needed Praxis examinations.
Referral letters from existing mentor managers. Repayment of non-refundable certification dealing with fee. Completed application for training accreditation in North Dakota. First applications should certainly be submitted on-line via NDTeach. Check Out the North Dakota Education Demands as well as likewise Practices Board for more details on training certification in North Dakota. During the 2016-2017 academic year, there were 527 K-12 public colleges in North Dakota serving an approximated 109,706 students.
If you are thinking of starting a career teaching children, one of the first steps is to get your education and the next step is how to become an early childhood teacher in North Dakota. This state offers a high quality educational environment that welcomes people of all cultures.
The most common jobs for teachers in North Dakota include early childhood educators (ECE), elementary school teachers, kindergarten teachers, elementary math teachers and physical education instructors. There are a variety of other opportunities as well, such as teaching science, computer science, psychology, business and music. However, the job you choose will depend on what your interests are, the salary you are looking for and where you live.
In order to become an ECE or to become an elementary school teacher, one should take a pre-employment training course to prepare them for the job. These courses are available at schools, community colleges and vocational schools. To learn how to become an ECE, one can enroll in a course that trains students for the specific job they want to pursue.
In order to be eligible to teach children, one needs to take a certification examination for ECE. The certificate comes with an exam that requires one to pass with a certain grade point average. If you want to become an ECE, you must then enroll in an ECE program that prepares you for the certification exam. An ECE certificate shows that one has passed a specified number of hours in classroom teaching.
A certificate in elementary math will allow you to teach elementary school children. In addition to having a certificate, you need to take a math course that will help you prepare for the certification exam. Most schools will require this course as part of the student's high school curriculum.
As an ECE you will need to enroll in a course that prepares you to teach physical education. Some physical education classes also teach about the history of fitness and exercise. This helps you develop the skills to help your students develop healthy behaviors and improve their physical health.
Many states, including North Dakota, offer early childhood teacher licensing programs to certify teachers. Once you have successfully completed an approved program, you can obtain a license to teach in the state that you live in.
By knowing the various job opportunities in North Dakota, it will be easier for you to find the right position for you. The job options are numerous, and you will be able to find a job that you enjoy.
For example, you could teach in preschools, public schools, special education programs or private schools. There are many ways to work in public schools, so take the time to choose the best position for you.
If you want to become an early childhood teacher in North Dakota, you might choose to enroll in a certified teacher education program at a community college or vocational school. These programs are designed to prepare you to become an ECE. Once you have completed the course, you will be able to teach ECE classes.
Once you have completed the certification exam, you will have passed and will be able to work in public schools and private schools. If you would rather work in a private school, you can obtain a teaching certification by enrolling in a private school program. It is important to complete this program in order to obtain employment.
There are many private schools that offer ECE classes and teaching certifications. These private schools will prepare you for the certification exam that will help you find employment once you become an ECE. These schools will pay for the coursework that you have completed.
After you earn your teaching certification, you may be able to take online classes or take a classroom-based course for further certification. If you decide to become an ECE, you will be able to work in a variety of positions. You may want to apply for a teacher job in either a traditional classroom or a charter school, depending on what you feel more comfortable with.
Career Options and Salary Info for Teachers
Public schools:
This is perhaps the most popular career path for educators. Public schools provide the most opportunities and the systems are all linked, making relocating within the state a breeze. If you decide to move out of North Dakota, your experience and licensure should be acknowledged, if not outright reciprocated, by your new home state's school system.
Private childcare:
Families love to have educational specialists work in an intimate, if not one-on-one, capacity. You might find yourself carting children to their playdates or pee-wee soccer, but you might also teach them many fundamentals.
Private schools:
While the environment might significantly resemble that of public schools, you are almost assured to have a smaller class size and possibly greater leeway in your curriculum choices. Private schools don't all have standard licensure or employment standards, like their public counterparts, but you are sure to find a more familial environment in private education.
Head Start programs:
This federal preschool program assists low-income children to become their best selves. You might not need a ND certificate to teach for Head Start, but a bachelor's degree from a teacher-preparation program will certainly give you an advantage.
Community-based programs:
These programs offer a lot of creativity as you won't often be restricted by state or other curriculum restrictions. Community-based programs can include theater groups, art classes, music instruction, and sports leagues.
Faith-based programs:
Your local synagogue, mosque, temple, or church might have an educational component where you can teach children the basics of academics and a spiritual practice. There are also stand-alone schools that have a specific religious affiliation, so keep an eye out for those opportunities, as well.
Military programs:
Once you have received a North Dakota Early Childhood Education credential, you can look at opportunities with the nation's military. Bases worldwide need teachers to help raise the next generation of Americans. This is a great opportunity if you are interested in learning a new language or culture while pursuing your passion for teaching.
Early Childhood Education Teaching Salaries in North Dakota
Preschool Teacher:
If you love teaching very small children, this is the occupation for you. It has been shown that preschool is a major determinant of later life success, so you need to be dedicated to providing excellent care.
Elementary School Teacher:
One North Dakota certification covers all grades in the K-6 range, so you will have loads of opportunities to teach and grow. The PRAXIS for this occupation covers a wide range of skills, but your teacher-preparation program should make this a breeze.
Professor of Education:
Some professors spend time in the classroom before moving into postsecondary education, but you might choose to achieve a master's, then a doctoral degree, immediately upon graduating from your undergraduate program. While most professors teach future educators, you could branch into research in hopes of supporting even better pedagogical methods.
School Principal:
After five or more years in the classroom, you could decide to get a master's degree in education and move into administration. From the vantage point of the principal's office, you will guide students, teachers, and the whole curriculum.
Special Education Teacher:
There are many sub-specialties that fall under the SPED rubric, so make sure you have a passion for your particular focus. That is, you might want to work with emotionally disturbed individuals, visually- or hearing-impaired students, or children who suffer with a relatively minor learning disability such as dyslexia.
ESL Teacher:
English is a difficult language to acquire if you already know another. However, once you are certified for this specialty, you will be equipped to assist our newest Americans with their language-acquisition skills.
School Psychologist:
Every school needs a Psychologist or Counselor to help children with life's difficulties. You will need a master's degree for this position, as well as passing PRAXIS scores, but you will be a vital part of any educational institution.