Posted under Independence Institute & Teachers & Urban Schools & math
For those who may not have paid close attention to the world of public education, the teaching career model has evolved before our eyes. While there are still those who take the traditional approach of entering the profession right out of education school and then spend 30 years in the classroom, their numbers are growing vastly smaller all the time.
In that light, the New York Times has an interesting feature today on middle-aged adults switching careers to become a teacher. My first thought was: Switching careers? When I grow up and get to be a super-blogging astronaut, why would I ever change that?
But apparently many people find that bringing their academic expertise, along with their life and career experience, into the classroom to be a fulfilling experience. High-quality teachers are especially needed in high-poverty neighborhoods and in subject areas with shortages (e.g., math, science, special education).
Several groups are providing routes to certification (or licensure) that appeal to these career-changers. The New York Times story highlights well-known operators like the New Teacher Project and lesser-known players like the Virginia-based Career Switchers program.
None, however, is closer to the hearts of my Education Policy Center friends than a fast-growing group that looks like it soon will be making waves here in Colorado.
From the Times story:
Like the Career Switchers program in Virginia, the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence offers an online program that costs $975 and has so far issued 1,900 certifications. They are accepted by nine states, including Florida, Missouri and Pennsylvania. The board says people 50 and older account for one-fifth of its participants.
Among them is Ron Halverson, 52, who worked for two decades at Hewlett-Packard in engineering and finance. After taking early retirement two years ago, he became certified and is in his second year of teaching special education at Borah High School in Boise, Idaho.
Pursuing a traditional teaching degree would have been too long and costly, he said.
“I would not have been able to afford or pursue a second career without this program,” he said of the American Board. But it is “sometimes looked at negatively by those who have gone the traditional academic route.” [link added]
The changing makeup of the teaching workforce will require among other things significant changes to the pension system. Until then, I’ll just be glad to see top-notch alternative certification groups like ABCTE grow here in Colorado and across the nation.
Kathleen Kullback on 16 Oct 2009 at 2:05 pm #
Count me in as one of those young 50 somethings that obtained a teaching license through alternative certification and delved into the world of special education. I wished David Saba’s ABCTE had been available for me. I would have saved $4500!
New York Times: Part II « A Blog To Be Named Later on 16 Oct 2009 at 8:12 pm #
[...] Joanne Jacobs – “Fast track to teaching“ Heritage Foundation – “Getting Talent Into The Classroom“ Flypaper – “Alt. Routes to Teaching…“ Eduwonk – “Two On Teachers“ Ed is Watching – “ABCTE Serves Important Niche for Adults Switching to Teaching Career“ [...]
Ed is Watching » Hoping Race to the Top Spurs Colorado Funding, Teacher, STEM Innovations on 17 Nov 2009 at 11:49 am #
[...] The financial incentives for teachers should be strongly attached to demonstrated individual and group performance in raising student academic outcomes, and for taking on challenging school assignments. In addition, Ben suggested the “Teachers and Leaders” portion of the Race to the Top recommendations ought to include a focus on expanding the pipeline into the teaching profession through more high-quality alternative certification programs. [...]
Ed is Watching » Real Alternative Certification May Actually Help Boost Student Learning on 18 Nov 2009 at 1:12 pm #
[...] I’ve told you before about groups like ABCTE that are reaching out to top-notch professionals and making it easier for them to make an effective transition into classroom teaching. But where’s the proof this is a good idea for the bottom line of education? [...]
Hoping Race to the Top Spurs Colorado Funding, Teacher, STEM Innovations | education policy center on 16 Jun 2010 at 5:53 pm #
[...] The financial incentives for teachers should be strongly attached to demonstrated individual and group performance in raising student academic outcomes, and for taking on challenging school assignments. In addition, Ben suggested the “Teachers and Leaders” portion of the Race to the Top recommendations ought to include a focus on expanding the pipeline into the teaching profession through more high-quality alternative certification programs. [...]