Though charter schools are often thought of as being closer to private schools, the certifications needed to teach in a charter school are often identical to those required by public schools in the same state. This is because charter schools, unlike public schools, are actually regulated by the same laws and departments that oversee public education in general. As a result, teachers who wish to work within the charter system in their state must have official licenses, must have pursued a specialized program of education at the undergraduate level, and must make sure that they have prior, supervised classroom experience in the classroom before applying to a charter job. Working at a charter school involves following a fairly standard procedure in all states.
Complete an Undergraduate Degree in an Education-Related Field
Students who wish to work as teachers will need to pursue an undergraduate degree in a field like elementary education, special education, or secondary education with a content specialization. These undergraduate degrees are often considered to be the “prerequisite” for official teacher licensure examinations that are taken during the student’s third or fourth year in the program. In many states, the student’s chosen course of undergraduate study also determines which exam they will be eligible to take and which grade levels, or specific classes, they will be eligible to teach in charter schools and public schools alike. Aspiring educators should take this decision seriously as it may well define the rest of their careers in the field.
Take and Pass the PRAXIS-I and PRAXIS-II Examinations
Like their counterparts aspiring to teach at a public school, students who wish to teach at a charter must make sure that they take and pass both PRAXIS examinations. In most states, the PRAXIS-I is required of all undergraduate education students before they can so much as enter a classroom as a student teacher. The PRAXIS-II is often required during the last year of the undergraduate program, often as a graduation requirement for all education students. The outcome of this examination will also allow students to receive their first teaching license in the state where their college is located. Upon receiving a passing score and the corresponding certification, graduates of an education program will be ready to apply to charter school jobs and lead a classroom at their chosen grade level.
Fulfill Any Continuing Education Requirements
Many states require students to go above and beyond an undergraduate education in the teaching profession. In fact, a large number of states actually require their charter and public school teachers to enroll in a graduate degree program within three years of landing their first teaching job, according to Teach. They must then completely a minimum number of credits at the graduate level in order to turn their “beginning license” into a permanent teaching certification. Many students choose to go above and beyond the minimum credit requirement, instead earning a traditional graduate degree and boosting their annual salary as a result.
Related Resource: Education and Public Policy
Think of Charters Like Public, Not Private, Institutions
Charter schools are regulated just like public schools, with the same educational and certification requirements expected of all teachers. For this reason, new educators need to understand that the certifications needed to teach in a charter school are identical to the certifications required of public school teachers in every state where an active charter system offers an alternative to traditional, public education.
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