Prince, basically from everything I saw read, heard, called about, and know real teachers all you are saying is a bit on one end of the scale.
For every state, to teach public schools K through 12, one only needs a Bachelors degree and teaching certification for the appropriate level or a bachelors degree in teaching. Private schools have their own standards and most don't even require the certification. Do some teachers go the route of obtaining a Masters? Sure, but that is because many I know that go that route do so to teach evening or weekend courses at a College, which a Masters is required there. In no way shape or form is a Masters required for a teacher K-12. Also, teachers do not have upward mobility in their career field like other jobs. They either teach, or they don't. There is some higher courseware classes they can teach for a bit more money, like AP classes for high school, but a Master's is still not a requirement.
Also, if you have certification and are teaching with a Bachelors in one subject but want to teach another subject, you do not need a Masters in that area. Some do, I have no doubt, but all that is required is certification in that area or even just prior job experience.
Now for bigger schools with high prestige and pay more money will have more teacher applicants than they have positions for. I have no doubt that these types of schools have a bit more stringent hiring protocols, and may look for people with Masters over Bachelors. But it isn't a requirement for the job per say, just something to make an applicant to stand out more to get hired.
Also as I said the different courses have different amount of teachers wanting to teach. Most teachers are female. Most females do not do well with left brained activities such as math, science, and computers. Most females do well with right brained activities such as English, Social Studies, Art, and Music. Because of this, there may be hundreds of applicants for any given English teaching position for a mere handful for the Calculus teaching position. In fact, many high schools have had to resort to using video teaching for some of these courses because they could find no qualified applicants for those. These are even for nicer schools. I went a semester back in 1996 at one of the largest, and richest public high schools here in the state of Texas without a Calculus teacher. The last one left and they couldn't find a replacement over the summer break.
Sorry for rambling, so I'll sum up and reiterate. For public school K-12 teaching positions across the country, the only requirements are certification and a Bachelors in the subject to teach. That is it.
And my experiences have supported my contentions. I have no doubt that many places in the country have lax requirements. However, many have the requirements I discussed, and many more are passing them every year. The push to require a Masters as a minimum requirement for teachers has momentum in this country. It's easily researched, but since you seem to be having trouble with it I'll do some of the legwork for you:
1) Highly Qualified - Generally speaking to be highly qualified means a Bachelor's or equivalent in any subject you will teach (if it is a core area). You don't HAVE to hold the degree, but you need the equivalent credits in the major or to demonstrate Bachelor's level knowledge of the field (or for existing teachers go through a certification process to demonstrate competency from experience in the field - ie
HOUSSE). For new teachers they are STRONGLY encouraged to go the degree route. This is federal law, and about 95% of the teachers in the country meet this standard.
http://www2.ed.gov/nclb/methods/teachers/hqtflexibility.html
http://www.edweek.org/login.html?so...ticles/2008/06/11/41hqt.h27.html&levelId=2100
2) Masters equivalent requirement - I
clearly laid out the requirements for Washington to show how it's a requirement for a Masters or equivalent at the secondary level within 5 years. You yourself linked the page with that information, so I won't rehash that. Instead I will offer a few other state program requirements as further evidence:
New York
http://www.education-online-search....ching_careers/new_york_teacher_certification#
The same information is available on the state certification webpage, but this page had a much clearer layout. Bear in mind that New York is the largest public school system in the country.
To receive a Professional certificate, an individual must meet the following, additional requirements:
- Submit an application with the required fee.
- Have three years of teaching experience with the first year being a "mentored" teaching experience.
- Have completed a master's degree.
- Pass the Assessment of Teaching Skills-Performance (ATS-P) test. This is not required for all subject areas.
- Be a US citizen or Permanent Resident.
So, in New York you MUST have a Master's degree. Not to start, but within a few years. Exactly what I, and others, told you.
Ohio
http://www.education-online-search.com/articles/careers/teaching_careers/ohio_teacher_certification#
The same information is available on the state certification webpage, but this page had a much clearer layout.
First RenewalThe Professional Educator License may be renewed the first time by completing one of the following professional development activities:
- Completing six semester hours of appropriate course-work related to classroom teaching and/or the area of licensure. Coursework must be at an accredited baccalaureate degree granting college.
- Completing 18 continuing education units (CUEs), the equivalent of 180 contact hours.
- Completing equivalent activities as approved by the local Professional Development Committee of the employing school or school district.
One semester hour is equivalent to 1.5 quarter hours or 3 CEUs. Completing the required professional development activities will renew all certificates that an individual may have.
Second Renewal The Professional Educator License may be renewed the second time by completing one of the following professional development activities:
- Completing a Master's Degree.
- Completing 30 semester hours of appropriate course-work related to classroom teaching and/or the area of licensure. Coursework must be at an accredited baccalaureate degree granting college.
A minimum of six semester hours, 18 CEUs or equivalent activities must be completed during the second renewal period.
All Subsequent RenewalsThe requirements for renewal in all subsequent years are the same as the first renewal.
So, by the end of 10 years you must have a Masters, or 36 additional credits (effectively a Masters). Exactly as I told you.
Oregon
http://www.ous.edu/programs/teached/files/AdvisingGuide2005v6.pdf
The same information is available on the state certification webpage, but this had a much clearer layout.
Initial II Teaching License
Bachelors degree option
To be eligible for an Initial II Teaching License, and if the Initial I Teaching
License was granted on the basis of a completed teacher preparation program
culminating in a bachelor's degree, the applicant must:
(a) Complete a master's degree or higher in the arts and sciences or an
advanced degree in the professions from a regionally accredited
institution in the United States, or the foreign equivalent of such
degree approved by TSPC, together with an equally accredited
bachelor's degree; or
(b) In lieu of a master's degree, a candidate must complete graduate level
coursework germane to the license or directly germane to public
school employment as follows:
At least ten semester hours or fifteen quarter hours in subject-
matter coursework; and
At least ten semester hours or fifteen quarter hours in
graduate-level education-related coursework; and
At least ten semester hours or fifteen quarter hours in
graduate-level electives.
So within 10 years you MUST obtain a Masters or equivalent, exactly like I said.
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Look, I could do this all afternoon, but I'm going to be able to show you at least 10-20 more states with exactly the same requirements. I just spent five years learning all this crap so I could become a teacher (having to learn the requirements in different states in case I chose to work there). Not looking into it wondering, but actually going through it. I'm EXTREMELY familiar with the process. It also helps to have a dozen teachers in my family and close friends who could help me with it all.
3) Certification Requirements - You continue to mention that both a degree and certification is required but you fail to acknowledge that the certification requires the majority of a degree all on its own. It's not like you just drop by and sign a form. Basically two years of specific college courses are required for the certification. That's on top of general ed requirements, and on top of any subject/endorsement area requirements. In other words, to teach high school requires a degree and a half...ie a Masters.
4) Teacher Demographics - At earlier grade levels you're more likely to find female teachers. At the secondary level it's much closer to equal: 59% women. Since there are slightly more women than men, that's not surprising. Post-secondary there are actually more men than women teaching.
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release...cts_for_features_special_editions/001737.html
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