Transcript Think You Want to Be a Teacher?

Think You Want to Be a Teacher?
Presented by:
The College of Education and Human Development
George Mason University
SPRING 2009
Please sign in at the door and
help yourself to information.
Teachers are Nation Builders
“A teacher affects eternity; they can never tell where their influence
stops.” ~Henry Adams
Why would you want
to become a teacher?
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Make a Difference
Change Lives
Engage Minds
Touch the future (Intel)
It’s a good profession
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Fulfilling
Stable
Benefits
Opportunities for growth
Definitions
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Licensure: the initial
designation from the
state of Virginia
Endorsement:
Designation on the
license noting ages
or grade levels
and/or subjects,
disciplines and
disabilities
Example: I am licensed to
teach secondary education,
grades 6-12, math
Steps to Licensure
In Virginia
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Bachelor’s Degree
Content/endorsement requirement course work
Praxis I passing scores or SAT/ACT equivalent scores (admission
requirement)
Complete a state-approved program
Praxis II passing scores (Elementary, Secondary, Foreign Language)
Pass Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA)
Virginia Reading Assessment (VRA) (Special Ed, Reading
specialists, Elementary, UTEEM, EPK-3)
ACTFL OPI and WPT (Foreign Language)
These requirements meet Virginia’s definition of a
highly qualified teacher.
Licensure FAQ’s
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Will my Virginia
teacher’s license
“transfer” to other
states?
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Because Virginia has some
of the highest teacher
licensure requirements in
the country, many states
have agreed to offer
“reciprocity.”
Virginia has reciprocity with most states. If you are considering
teaching in another state, you will need to contact the department of
education in that state regarding how to obtain licensure.
Licensure FAQ’s
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What is a Provisional
License?
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A three-year, nonrenewable license for
someone who does not
hold a current, valid
license.
An applicant must first
be hired by a Virginia
school division based on
the content requirements
for the teaching area for
which the individual is
applying.
Critical Shortage Areas in Virginia
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The Virginia
Department of
Education has identified
several critical shortage
teaching areas.
2008-2009 shortage
areas vary by
geographical areas, i.e.
specific to divisions or
rural/urban areas.
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Special Education
Mathematics (6-12, Algebra
I)
Science (Earth Science,
Middle Grades, Biology)
Reading Specialist
Foreign Language (Spanish)
Career and Technical
Education
ESL
English
Library Media
Middle Grades (All Subjects)
Mason’s Teacher Licensure Programs
The Graduate School
of Education offers a
variety of teacher
licensure programs.
Many also offer an
optional master’s
degree upon
completing licensure
coursework.
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Early Childhood Education (PK-3)
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ECE PK-3, ECE UTEEM, EC Special
Education
Elementary Education (PK-6)
Secondary Education (6-12)
Special Education
ESL (PK-12)
Foreign Language (PK-12)
Secondary Education/Career Switcher
program (6-12)
 English, History, Math, Sciences
(Biology, Earth Science, Physics)
What should I do before applying?
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Research program
information on the
GSE website:
gse.gmu.edu
Note that GSE
programs have
varying application
deadlines for fall and
spring
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Complete online endorsement
review - http://cehd.gmu.edu/teacher/endorse/.
Submit unofficial transcripts to the
Endorsement Specialist for
evaluation of content endorsement
requirements and for information
regarding CLEP exams.
Email: [email protected]
Foreign Language endorsements are
handled by
Nanette Rutsch - [email protected]
How do I apply?
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A complete
application
includes:
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Graduate application
Official transcripts
Goal statement
Three letters of recommendation
Passing Praxis I test scores or
SAT/ACT equivalent
Endorsement review
Additional program specific
materials, where appropriate
(http://gse.gmu.edu/programs/)
How do I get admitted?
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Your application will
be evaluated using the
following standards:
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A minimum 3.0 GPA in the
last 60 credit hours
Praxis I composite score of at
least 532 OR SAT/ACT
equivalent
Strong letters of
recommendation
Endorsement requirements
fulfilled
Interview and writing sample
also required by some
programs
Praxis Tests
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Praxis I consists of reading, writing and math
sections
A composite score of 532 or SAT/ACT
equivalent is required
Praxis II tests content knowledge (i.e., math,
history, Spanish)
Both tests must be passed in order to be
placed in your final internship
Praxis Tests
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The test is administered by the Educational
Testing Service www.ets.org/praxis
Register for the Praxis I and II paper-based
exams at the website above OR
Call Prometric at 1-800-853-6773 to register
for a computer-based Praxis I exam at a
local testing center
Sample questions can be seen at the Praxis
Web site.
SAT Praxis I Equivalent Scores
 SAT
test taken after April 1,1995
Score=1100
Minimum 530 Verbal and 530 Math
 SAT test taken before April 1, 1995
Score=1000
Minimum 450 Verbal and 510 Math
ACT Praxis I Equivalent Scores
ACT test taken after April 1,1995
Score=24
Minimum 22 (Math)/ 46 (English plus
Reading)
 ACT test taken before April 1, 1995
Score=21
Minimum 21 (Math)/ 37 (English plus
Reading)
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** ACT scores prior to Fall 1989 will not be
accepted as the Reading score was not included
before this time.
VCLA/VRA Tests
VCLA
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The Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) must be
passed prior to internship application submission for all initial teacher
licensure programs - http://www.va.nesinc.com/. (VCLA is an admissions
requirement for the Career Switcher program)
A total test score of at least 470 is passing for the VCLA.
VRA
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The Virginia Reading Assessment (VRA) must be passed prior to
internship application submission for Early Childhood Education,
Elementary Education, and Special Education http://www.va.nesinc.com/.
A test score of at least 235 is passing for the VRA.
What if I miss the application deadline?
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For some of our programs, you may begin taking
courses as a non-degree student.
There are restrictions on how many classes can
transfer into degree/certificate programs. Students
should only be in non-degree status for one semester
before beginning as a graduate student.
Tel: 703.993.2400
Website: http://admissions.gmu.edu/nondegree/
When do classes meet?
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Most classes will meet once a week, either at
4:30 pm or 7:20 pm
Full time programs offer courses that meet
during the day
Summer session courses meet 2-3 times a
week
What is the cost?
Fall 2008/Spring 2009
 In-state tuition:
$370/credit hour
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Out-of-state tuition:
$928/credit hour
To be classified as an “in-state” student, you must
live in Virginia for one year and pay taxes to the
state for one year.
Are there any scholarships available?
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The Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program
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For students pursuing teaching careers in shortage or critical needs
areas
For more information, read about the scholarship program on the
VDOE website:
http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/newvdoe/teached.html
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General financial aid information can be found at:
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http://financialaid.gmu.edu/
The application for assistantships can be found at:
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http://cehd.gmu.edu/oasa/funding_opps/
Important Contacts
GSE Admissions: 703 993 2010
[email protected]
 Financial Aid: 703 993 2353
 Non-Degree: 703 993 2400
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College of Education and Human Development
4400 University Drive, MS 4D1
Fairfax, VA 22030