Think You Want to Be a Teacher

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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.

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Teachers are Nation Builders

• A teacher affects eternity they can never tell
  where their influence stops. Henry Adams

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Why would you want to become a teacher?

• Make a Difference
• Change Lives
• Engage Minds
• Touch the future (Intel)
• Its a good profession
• Fulfilling
• Stable
• Benefits
• Opportunities for growth

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Definitions

• 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
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Steps to LicensureIn Virginia

• Bachelors 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 Virginias definition of
  a highly qualified teacher.

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Licensure FAQs

• Will my Virginia teachers license transfer to
  other states?

• 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.
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Licensure FAQs

• What is a Provisional License?

• A three-year, non-renewable 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.

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Critical Shortage Areas in Virginia

• 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.

• 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)

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Masons Teacher Licensure Programs

• The Graduate School of Education offers a
  variety of teacher licensure programs. Many also
  offer an optional masters degree upon completing
  licensure coursework.

• Early Childhood Education (PK-3)
• 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)

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What should I do before applying?

• 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 endorse_at_gmu.edu
• Foreign Language endorsements are handled by
• Nanette Rutsch - nrutsch_at_gmu.edu

• 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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How do I apply?

• A complete application includes

• 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/)

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How do I get admitted?

• Your application will be evaluated using the
  following standards

• 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

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Praxis Tests

• 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

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Praxis Tests

• 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.

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SAT Praxis I Equivalent Scores

• SAT test taken after April 1,1995
• Score1100
• Minimum 530 Verbal and 530 Math
• SAT test taken before April 1, 1995
• Score1000
• Minimum 450 Verbal and 510 Math

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ACT Praxis I Equivalent Scores

• ACT test taken after April 1,1995
• Score24
• Minimum 22 (Math)/ 46 (English plus Reading)
• ACT test taken before April 1, 1995
• Score21
• Minimum 21 (Math)/ 37 (English plus Reading)
• ACT scores prior to Fall 1989 will not be
  accepted as the Reading score was not included
  before this time.

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VCLA/VRA Tests

• VCLA
• 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
• 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.

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What if I miss the application deadline?

• 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 [phone]
• Website http//admissions.gmu.edu/nondegree/

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When do classes meet?

• Most classes will meet once a week, either at
  430 pm or 720 pm
• Full time programs offer courses that meet during
  the day
• Summer session courses meet 2-3 times a week

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What is the cost?

• Fall 2008/Spring 2009
• In-state tuition 370/credit hour

• 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.
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Are there any scholarships available?

• The Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program
• 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
• General financial aid information can be found
  at
• http//financialaid.gmu.edu/
• The application for assistantships can be found
  at
• http//cehd.gmu.edu/oasa/funding_opps/

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Important Contacts

• GSE Admissions 703 993 2010
• gseadmit_at_gmu.edu
• Financial Aid 703 993 2353
• Non-Degree 703 993 2400
• College of Education and Human Development
• 4400 University Drive, MS 4D1
• Fairfax, VA 22030