Teacher-training programs

Almost all teacher-training programs in the United States and Canada are offered at general colleges or universities. Most U.S. teacher-training programs consist of three main areas of study: (1) general education, or liberal arts, courses; (2) advanced courses in a major area of study, such as English or mathematics; and (3) professional education courses.

During their first two years in college, teachers-in-training take courses in history, language arts, mathematics, science, and other liberal arts. During their second two years, most students specialize in a particular subject, usually the subject that they plan to teach. Also during their second two years, teachers-in-training take such professional education courses as child development, teaching methods, and practice-teaching. In practice-teaching, a student does actual classroom teaching under the guidance of an experienced teacher.

Certification of teachers

Every state requires public elementary- and secondary-school teachers to obtain a teaching certificatebefore they may teach in the state. The state issues the certificate to persons who meet the state's basic teaching requirements. Some states also require certification to teach in a nursery school, private school, or public junior college. Teachers in four-year colleges and universities do not need a certificate. Instead, they must obtain an advanced degree and demonstrate their teaching ability through satisfactory on-the-job performance.

Almost all states issue separate certificates for elementary- and secondary-school teachers. Every state requires beginning teachers at both levels to be college graduates. Teachers at both levels must also have completed a professional training program that prepares them to teach in either elementary or secondary school. In addition, secondary-school teachers must be qualified to teach a particular subject. Many states also require such qualification for elementary-school teachers. Some teachers in special fields earn certificates that allow them to teach at both the elementary level and the secondary level. These fields include art, music, and the education of handicapped children.

Most states issue special certificates for such positions as school principal, school librarian, and guidance counselor. In most cases, applicants must meet the basic requirements for a teaching certificate and also be specially trained in their field. Teacher aides, or paraprofessional teachers, do not need a professional teaching certificate. They mainly help professional teachers perform such duties as marking test papers and giving students individual guidance.

Most states issue an initial, or provisional, certificate to new teachers who meet the basic teaching requirements. Teachers may apply for an advanced certificate after they have taught a certain number of years. Many states also require additional college courses or a master's degree for advanced certification. A few states issue advanced certificates to new teachers who meet the necessary requirements. Some states issue advanced certificates on a permanent basis. Other states require teachers to renew their advanced certificate every few years. About half the states accept teaching certificates from other states. The rest require teachers from other states to take certain additional courses or to pass a special examination.

Public elementary- and secondary-school teachers in Canada must also have a teaching certificate. Each province issues its own certificates and sets the requirements for them. Most provinces require elementary-and secondary-school teachers to have a college degree plus, or including, a year or more of teacher-training courses.

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