Teacher Certification online through Teach Now
Teacher Certification online through Teach Now
I work at an international school in Thailand and my husband, who has a degree in Art, would like to get teacher certified. "Teach Now" was recommended to us as a fully online school that awards teacher certification in Washington, D.C., but I am concerned about how it is viewed by international schools, specifically in Europe. Has anyone earned teacher certification from this school and, if so, have you had problems gaining employment?
Inquiry
Is your husband a US Citizen?
There are a few issues to understand first:
The oldest and classical means of training an preparing DTs is academic or traditional preparation that consists of formal course (originally F2F) and field experience (often in the form of "student teaching").
Then came ACP programs that were outside of Unis (and then adapted by Unis, called "Post-Bach" programs), these typically consisted of either cohort (often with various F2F service delivery methods) or self paced (often online or digital service delivery). These programs included field experience in the form of "internships" though later a form of student teaching was introduced (clinical teaching). These programs did not provide Uni credits (unless provided by a Uni) nor a degree. The Uni versions of ACP programs are typically more expensive compared to outside and third . EPP/ITT program providers. These programs focus on skills based like an apprenticeship.
Most recently we have assessment based programs. These programs run directly by regulatory authorities (DOEs) will award a credential based almost entirely on some form of test or exam. They are the fastest and the least expensive.
So in Summary we have three type of preparation: Academic (Uni/Traditional/Classical/PGCE), Skills (ACP/Non-Traditional/School Direct) and Assessment (Exam/Test/Portfolio/AO). With the "Post-Bach" program between academic and skills based preparation.
Versions of the above pathways are available in the UK as well (PGCE/School Direct/AO).
Teach Now is seen the way any ACP (non-traditional program) is viewed. It really depends on executive leadership. At lower tier ISs all they really care about is if your credentialed or not. Some (arguably many) value traditional/classical (Uni) prepared ITs. Its more an issue for intern and entry class ITs, after a number of years its your performance more than preparation. There remain rigid leadership and recruiters that will think less of an ACP trained IT.
While the credential wont indicate how it was earned or awarded, a recruiter needs only a moment to look at your resume and determine if you had any teacher education coursework identified for a legitimate Uni.
Understand that Teach Now has very recently created a degree program and the "Educator School of Education" their DEGREES are not accredited by a regional accrediting agency and are not or would not typically be accepted by other academic institutions nor regulatory authorities. This is separate from their certification program which is a fully legitimate and valid credential. The credential earned is the standard credential and generally recognized by other regulatory authorities. The DC standard credential is accepted in England for the issuance of QTS as an OTT.
If your spouse is a US citizen there are two assessment based options I can recommend. The first is the APT (Alternative Pathway to Teaching) available in Utah. It requires a bachelors degree in any subject and passage or the PRAXIS II Art exam, as well as the standard application (which requires a CRB). This would certify your spouse as a secondary art DT/IT. The certificate is valid for three years and can be renewed.
The other option is the Massachusetts (MA) Preliminary credential. It would require two exams, and is valid for 5 years but is non-renewable. However, the 5 years will never start or be used if you do not teach in MA, resulting in an effective lifetime credential. This may change however in 2020.
There are test centers in BKK that provide these exams.
There are other options but they are more complex.
There are a few issues to understand first:
The oldest and classical means of training an preparing DTs is academic or traditional preparation that consists of formal course (originally F2F) and field experience (often in the form of "student teaching").
Then came ACP programs that were outside of Unis (and then adapted by Unis, called "Post-Bach" programs), these typically consisted of either cohort (often with various F2F service delivery methods) or self paced (often online or digital service delivery). These programs included field experience in the form of "internships" though later a form of student teaching was introduced (clinical teaching). These programs did not provide Uni credits (unless provided by a Uni) nor a degree. The Uni versions of ACP programs are typically more expensive compared to outside and third . EPP/ITT program providers. These programs focus on skills based like an apprenticeship.
Most recently we have assessment based programs. These programs run directly by regulatory authorities (DOEs) will award a credential based almost entirely on some form of test or exam. They are the fastest and the least expensive.
So in Summary we have three type of preparation: Academic (Uni/Traditional/Classical/PGCE), Skills (ACP/Non-Traditional/School Direct) and Assessment (Exam/Test/Portfolio/AO). With the "Post-Bach" program between academic and skills based preparation.
Versions of the above pathways are available in the UK as well (PGCE/School Direct/AO).
Teach Now is seen the way any ACP (non-traditional program) is viewed. It really depends on executive leadership. At lower tier ISs all they really care about is if your credentialed or not. Some (arguably many) value traditional/classical (Uni) prepared ITs. Its more an issue for intern and entry class ITs, after a number of years its your performance more than preparation. There remain rigid leadership and recruiters that will think less of an ACP trained IT.
While the credential wont indicate how it was earned or awarded, a recruiter needs only a moment to look at your resume and determine if you had any teacher education coursework identified for a legitimate Uni.
Understand that Teach Now has very recently created a degree program and the "Educator School of Education" their DEGREES are not accredited by a regional accrediting agency and are not or would not typically be accepted by other academic institutions nor regulatory authorities. This is separate from their certification program which is a fully legitimate and valid credential. The credential earned is the standard credential and generally recognized by other regulatory authorities. The DC standard credential is accepted in England for the issuance of QTS as an OTT.
If your spouse is a US citizen there are two assessment based options I can recommend. The first is the APT (Alternative Pathway to Teaching) available in Utah. It requires a bachelors degree in any subject and passage or the PRAXIS II Art exam, as well as the standard application (which requires a CRB). This would certify your spouse as a secondary art DT/IT. The certificate is valid for three years and can be renewed.
The other option is the Massachusetts (MA) Preliminary credential. It would require two exams, and is valid for 5 years but is non-renewable. However, the 5 years will never start or be used if you do not teach in MA, resulting in an effective lifetime credential. This may change however in 2020.
There are test centers in BKK that provide these exams.
There are other options but they are more complex.