1. Yes, it would be nice to ask why
2. I am against the clock of getting my credential before the full hiring season started. Hard to jump to a better school without a State certificate.
3. Any idea whether the criminal check is an FBI kind of a check or a quick local UT state police record check? FBI took longer I think. My experience with CA is relative pretty fast
4. I need to clear up with them…
5. Next step after UT is QTS (maybe)? And then some other states

Hi PsyGuy

You are right. Having to take all those classes, it is like taking a teacher preparation program or half of it. I do not understand why create a work experience route but require people to take back all those teacher prep classes. And, my first school was a school with approved accreditation from CT list.

1. I am not sure whether I should argue with them.

2. For UT exam, what is the different between before and after Jan 1

3. I am teaching in Asia now. Where can I get myself finger print or live scan?

4. For the further usage, are you saying that having the UT credential would help me to get CT credential? Do I start a new application? Also mean I do not need to take those classes?

5. Comparing UT and NJ options , what do you take?

After 5 months, I turned in all my transcripts, passed my praxis, school working proof, etc. CT education department still requires the following:

To meet general education requirements:
A survey course in United States history (of not fewer than three semester hours of credit);

To meet professional education requirements:
An additional 12 semester hours of credit in professional education course work including the following:
Foundations of education;
Educational psychology;
Curriculum and methods of testing music; and
An approved course of study in special education including the gifted and talented.

I am just wondering is CT still the best route for getting my credential.

Thanks PsyGuy again

1) Recognition is a huge problem. My principle (a Brit) doesn’t even believe CE is a credential. That is huge problem if I want to use that to find a new job.

1a) BTW, what is HOR?
From what I read somewhere online, I think the NJ CE is changing again with more hours in the prep course. If I did not misread, it will be from the 24 hours course to 200 hours by 9/1/2016.

1b) Also, what is ESOL (actually a second CE) ? I am interested in CA CLEAR credential. My principle also confirmed that he heard that CA credential has a higher prestige on their credential. And, I may want to retire in CA. It may not be a bad idea to be a sub teacher or part time. And, it can be my 5 year career goal.
Yeah CE seems to be a good emergency backup plan

4.) With my situation, CT seems like a easier choice. It got no hygiene test, 24 hour teacher prep course and requirement to fly to NJ.

5.) From my conversation with my principle, he really concern whether the credential actually prove that the teacher has proper teacher training especially on following a mentor. I agree with him. My professor in grad school for my music education degree was my mentor when I was doing my practicum. I learned so much and tried many new strategies for my teaching. With my reflection on my weakness, I also see that I may miss some knowledge like children development/psychology, education theory comparing to those who went through a teacher prep program. Maybe I can take those classes from Summer? Any feedback/recommendation? I may need a lot of PD hours anyway for the CA clear credential.

@PsyGuy
"The other issue is that the CE is more likely to encounter recognition issues. "

Just talked to my current principle today. He has a very negative impression on CE.
I guess you get what you pay for. Less effort, then less recognized.


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1. ) Since getting QTS through NJ CE has a lower chance, can NJ CE do any reciprocity with other states' credential ? If not, it seems like a dead end.
2.) If NJ CE can not help me to get other state credential, I am seriously consider Connecticut credential.
3.) But I am really confused with the requirement like
a. Statement of Preparing Higher Education Institution; and/or
 b. Statement of Professional Experience and
c. copy of out-of-state certificate/license for applicants with prior teaching experience

And, I am evaluating different options for my career and job changing opportunity for 2017-2018 school year
1.) pursue Connecticut credential and then QTS, back to CA
2.) Do Teacher Ready/Now
3.) Do NJ CE first and then see what happen with my job search and QTS reciprocity
4.) Do NJ CE first and then start doing Teacher Ready/Now for maximum job opportunity

Thank so much PsyGuy for your insight and encouragement.

Seems like I am going to spend sometime in NJ this summer :-)

1) After doing some more read up on the website and your opinion, it seems like the quickest and easiest to get the credential would be doing the NJ route. Any drawback?

2) As I read from other posts, the strategy after getting the NJ CE, I should then apply the UK QTS? And that's it? Maybe CA as well?


3) Any idea how long does it take to get the CE after I finish everything?

4) Since I didn't do my undergard in music, I may miss some topic in the PRAXIS. Any idea on Test prep for PRAXIS?

5) According to http://www.state.nj.us/education/educat ... ctcert.htm

"Achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 when a GPA of 4.00 equals an A grade in a baccalaureate degree program, higher degree program or in a State-approved post-baccalaureate certification program with a minimum of 13 semester-hour credits;"

My Uni which I get my bachelor GPA is 2.5 (about 4 years), community college is 3.8 (my first college year; 1 year), grad school 1 is 3.00 (1 year) , grad school 2 is 3.15 (1 year)... When I average out, it is 2.85. Am I OK?

Thanks!

After reading more than dozen of posts, I think I have little bit of basic idea how this credential hunting game works. However, each person situation can be different. Please allow me to share my situation.

Most of my work/education experiences are from the States. My bachelor degree was in electrical engineering which I never used it. Instead, I taught piano privately for 10 years. After that, I studied my master in music education. Then, taught two years k-8 music in a private church school in CA. During that time, my school helped me to apply a temporary teaching certificate from ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) which was expired in Jan 2016. This school year, my third year, I am teaching a 3rd tier IS in China. Although my current contract is one year, I will do one more year to avoid a 1 year job experience on my CV. And, I have dual citizenship in HKG and USA.

When I research into which program I want to study, I run in to some program only offer secondary or elementary level. However, I do not want to limit my future by age group. So far, I feel that I like both older and younger kids.

My short term goal: To have a teaching credential before hiring season for 2017-2018. So that, I may find a better job in HK/Singapore/Taiwan/Malaysia. Preferably, get my credential done before Oct/Nov 2016. But, putting on resume that I am working toward that credential is still good because I believe I can get it before school start in Aug 2017 if not sooner. After teaching internationally, I kind of like it and have no plan to move back to States with a lower salary and the excitement yet.

Originally, my 6 weeks summer plan is to go back to the States and study 3 weeks in two music classes, do some volunteering works and travel in South America. Now, I may want to dedicate sometimes for the credential thing like preparing for the PRAXIS if I needed to.

---
Enough of my background, here is my brief understand of different state program. I listed it in the order that I think it fit my situation the best.

HI: I will have three years experience by the end of this school year (2 in CA , 1 in IS China). No need to go through a prep program. But, not sure what other procedure I need like do I need any PRAXIS exam.

CT: No prep program, no subject specific exam but PRAXIS 5001 exam

NJ (New Jersey): a CE (Certificate of Eligibility), No need to go through a prep program but need to take appropriate PRAXIS exam

FL: Teacher Ready

DC: Teacher Now. My friend loves it since you can get a Master degree in global teaching (?) if you do the one year program. But, I am not sure I really need another Master???

I guess my question is whether there are any states that do not require test and prep program base on my experience/education.

If not, how do I prepare a music PRAXIS exam? Usually how long does it take to prep it?

Thanks!!!