Got Certification?

By Eleadah Clack and Yaa Boateng
Teachers influence the lives of every child in America. To some, teachers are their only role models. But what does it take to become a teacher in Maryland and PG County to be exact? Teachers must take an assessment test called the Praxis to receive a teaching license. This test is required in 44 states, including Maryland. The Praxis assesses basic knowledge of teaching practices, basic language, writing and math skills and after passing you receive your Standard Professional Certification. These things may seem simple, but it's not as easy as it sounds. The tests are long, and they're specified depending on what you plan on teaching. It's not cheap either. The teachers must pay for every test they take, plus pay the fee for their certificate to be renewed every 5 years. To teach more rigorous classes such as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes the teacher has to take a test for their Standard Professional Certification.
If it's so much trouble, why do teachers have to do all of this? The tests are important in assessing a prospective teacher's ability to connect with students as well as their knowledge of basic discipline skills. All teachers must become certified at some point in their career if they want to be paid more, but they don't have to be certified to start teaching. The certification means that the teachers are skilled in their subject. According to the PG County Public Schools website only 22.2% of DuVal teacher's had their Standard Certification in 2006, up only 7.6% from 2003. In Prince George's county overall, 27% of classes were not taught by highly qualified teachers, and the percent of standard professional certification was 27.2 (2008). Bowie High School has 52.1% of teachers holding Advanced Professional certifications and only 16.5% Standard Professional certified (2006) whereas Roosevelt had 47% Advanced Professional certifications and 35% Standard professional certification.
National Board Certification requires more time and effort. Mr. Easley, a biology and special ed teacher here at Duval, says that, "without the recommendation of Mr. Miller and the cooperation of my students this opportunity would not be possible". While National Certification is not required, some teachers choose to take that step in their career. Mr. Easley is currently working on his National Certification. He started the process at the beginning of the school year. Mr. Easley has been a certified teacher for over 15 years, and took his original certification test at the University of Maryland. Mr. Easley's prep courses for his National Certification meet one Saturday a month. Mr. Easley says that "the more competent a teacher is in the classroom the more successful our students are and what I found out is that since I've been going through the process is that not only made me a better teacher but I've noticed that my students and staff members have responded more positively to me".
Ms. Hunt, an art and photography teacher took her certification test one and a half years after she first began teaching. Her advice to prospective teachers is to "test right out of college". Ms. Hunt took her certification tests at American University in D.C. Her required tests were math, reading, writing, and art. While the benefits of being a certified teacher are clear, Ms. Hunt says "you'll be taking classes for the rest of your life".

By Jennifer Partridge |  March 10, 2009; 7:47 PM ET
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