1. Activity 4.

3: Comparing Certification Requirements:

a. The internet makes a comparison of teaching certification
requirements in various states an easy task. Log on to
http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/ccseas.asp for departments of education/certification
agencies for all states. Use that information for the following tasks:
b. Locate the URL for your state and one other state (perhaps one
where you might teach or your home state of youre away at school). Select a
certification level of interest (such as middle school) and a secondary area (such
as English or chemistry) or a PreK-12 area (such as art or physical education).
c. Use the internet to find the certification requirements in your
selected states and areas of interest.
To get your teaching licence in the state of Iowa you will need, Baccalaureate degree from a
regionally accredited institution, completion of an approved teacher preparation program,
completion of an approved human relations component, completion of requirements for a
teaching endorsement, completion of the mandated tests in the state in which the applicant is
currently licensed (graduates before Jan. 1, 2013) OR completion of the Iowa mandated tests
(graduates after Jan. 1, 2013). To get your teaching license in the state of Florida you will need,
Bachelor's Degree with a passing score on the Florida subject area examination (for
subjects that require no more than a bachelor's degree) Bachelor's Degree with a valid
certificate issued by American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE),
Bachelor's Degree with a Major in the Content Area Bachelor's Degree with Required
Courses and 2.5 GPA in the Content Area.
d. How do the two states differ? Do they require, as some do, that
teachers have a course in the that states history? What are the differences in
terms of field experiences before or during student teaching?
The two states differ because Iowa requires a series of tests, and Florida does not. Neither state
has a requirement that you have a course in the states history. Iowa has a requirement that you
you have a completion of an approved teacher preparation program, but Florida does not have
a requirement.
e. Do you believe certification requirements should be standard for
all states in the country? What would be the advantages/disadvantages of such a
system?
Yes, I believe all states should have the same certification requirements. All states should hold
the same requirements and expectations for all teachers to be rightfully certified. The
advantages of this system would be that all teachers would have the same requirements, and all
teachers would have the same expectation, and it would give all states the opportunity of the
best and well trained teachers.
2. Activity 5.2: Freedom Writers Foundation
a. An outstanding example of beginning on the classroom level to
establish a program that humanized a curriculum and changed the lives of
students is that of Erin Gruwell and what has become the Freedom Writers
Foundation. You might begin by going online to learn about this project, the
people who made it happen, and the results. Then consider the following
questions:
b. What do you think was Ms. Gruwells goal when starting this
project?
I think the goal when starting the Freedom Writers Foundation was to give everyone a voice no
matter what they have to say or what they are saying.
c. Is it the curriculum that changed or the way that the curriculum
was presented?
I think the way the curriculum was presented was changing.
d. What change of perspective is required to turn teachable moment
into a vibrant adaption of curriculum?
You have to be willing to completely change the way you look at things. You have to be able to
take an educational moment and put it into a life perspective.