higher education

How to Become A Teacher in Louisiana

By Lisa Washington 20 August, 2023 3 mins read

You might be wondering how to become a teacher in Louisiana. Louisiana has many options. The entry-level certification is the Level 1 Professional Certificate. This certification is valid for 3 years and can be renewed only once. You should strive for a Level 2 certificate if you wish to progress to the next level.

Louisiana Teacher Certification Exams

Candidates who wish to teach in Louisiana's public schools must meet several requirements. To be eligible for teacher certification, candidates must pass the core academic skills exam. Some candidates may be exempted if they have already taken SAT or ACT. Candidates should check the Educational Testing Service's website to determine the specific tests they need to take.

To become a Louisiana teacher, you must first earn a bachelor's degree. It is necessary to also complete an educator preparation course. You will also need to complete a student teaching portion. After these requirements are completed, prospective teachers should take Praxis examinations. Once passed, they should apply for a teaching certificate and begin searching for jobs.

The Praxis exams must be passed to qualify as a teacher in Louisiana. Those who wish to teach in Louisiana must have at least a bachelor's degree and have passed the required Praxis exams. For prospective teachers who already have a bachelor's degree, there are alternative pathways to certification. The Tulane School of Professional Advancement offers certificates for education as a graduate or post-baccalaureate.

Louisiana teacher salaries

According to a study by the Economic Policy Institute, Louisiana teachers earn on average 28% more than their counterparts in other occupations. This wage gap, also known as a wages penalty, is one of the major reasons for a teacher shortage. A Louisiana teacher earning $52,000 per year could earn $72,000 in another field. However, the Louisiana legislature approved an increase of $1,500 in teacher pay to help with the teacher shortage.

However, it is not enough for teachers to keep up with the growing cost of living. It is only 3% off the 3% required increase in teacher pay to keep them competitive with other professions. To catch up to the Southern average of $55,205 for their teachers, other states propose pay hikes that are two to four times higher than those in Louisiana. If teachers in Louisiana are not offered better pay, many will leave the profession.

There are other routes to teaching in Louisiana

There are other ways to become a teacher in Louisiana, even if you have not graduated from a traditional teacher education program. These programs are designed to help you become a teacher while giving you the flexibility to teach in any school you choose. To be eligible, you will need a bachelor’s degree and a GPA at least 2.2.

A university-based program is the most popular alternative. After completion of a program, applicants can be offered a teaching position in a school district. They may then pursue professional certification. Another option is a practitioner-teacher alternative certification program. This program allows candidates with a bachelor’s degree to become certified practitioners. The program requires that candidates complete at least three years' education coursework in an approved teacher-preparation program. After they complete the program they are granted a professional licence.

In Louisiana, there are three routes that lead to teacher certification. The Level 1 Professional Certificate, which is the first, is what we call it. This is the entry level certification and it lasts three years. After you have obtained your Level 1 Professional certificate, you will be eligible to apply for the Level 2 Certificate. The Level 3 Professional Certificate, which is the most unique of these certificates, can be earned only if you have either a master's or at least a bachelors degree. The Level 3 Professional Certificate is valid for five-years after you have successfully completed this program.

FAQ

What is an Alternative School?

The idea behind an alternative school is to offer students with learning difficulties access to education by providing them with support from qualified teachers who understand their individual needs.

An alternative school provides children with special educational needs the opportunity to learn in a regular classroom setting.

They are also provided with extra assistance when necessary.

Alternative schools are not only for those who are excluded from mainstream schools.

They are available to all children, regardless of their ability or disability.

What is vocational school?

Vocational schools are institutions offering programs designed for people who want to enter a specific occupation. These schools may offer general education and training in the skills required by employers.

Vocational education is an essential part of our society as it helps young people acquire the skills necessary to succeed in their lives. It provides high-quality learning opportunities for all students.

A vocational school offers its students a range of options, including apprenticeships, certificates, diplomas, degrees, college transfer programs, and other postsecondary credentials. Vocational schools provide both academic and practice-oriented subjects such as math and science, English and social studies.

What are some possible ways to receive scholarships?

To help pay college expenses, scholarships are grants. There are many types to choose from. These are:

Federal Grants
State Grants
Student Loans
Work Study Programs
Financial Aid

Federal grants are direct from the U.S. government. Most federal grants require applicants to meet certain requirements. You must, for example, demonstrate financial need.

Individual states offer state grants. These funds are offered by individual states based on financial need. Others offer money for specific purposes.

Banks and other lending institutions can issue student loans. Students usually borrow money to cover tuition and living costs.

Work-study programs encourage employers to hire qualified student workers. Employers must pay workers at least minimum wage.

Financial aid can help families with low incomes afford college by covering all or part of tuition costs.

How can I apply to college

There are many ways to apply for college. Get started by talking to your high-school guidance counselor or admissions representative. Many high schools use online applications. You can also reach out to local colleges directly. Most colleges will accept online applications through their website.

If you decide to apply through the mail, you'll need to fill out the application, write a personal statement, and send copies of all required documents with your application. The personal statement gives you an opportunity to share why you want to attend this particular institution and how it would benefit you. The personal statement helps you to communicate your motivations and goals to the admissions committee.

Our website contains sample essays you can download.

How do I select my major?

Students choose their majors according to their interests. Students may choose to major in the subject they are most passionate about because it is easier than learning something else. Others are interested in a career where there are few jobs. Others are motivated to make a living while studying a major. Whatever your reasons, you should consider what kind of job you might like after graduation.

There are many options for information on different areas of study. Talk to friends or family members about their experiences. To find out if there are jobs available, you can read newspapers and magazines. Talk with a guidance counselor at your high school to ask about possible careers. Visit Career Services in your local library. Get books on different topics at your local library. Use the Internet to find websites related to particular careers.

Statistics

Among STEM majors, that number is 83.5 percent. (bostonreview.net)
These institutions can vary according to different contexts.[83] (en.wikipedia.org)
Data from the Department of Education reveal that, among 2008 college graduates, 92.8 percent of humanities majors have voted at least once since finishing school. (bostonreview.net)
“Children of homeowners are 116% more likely to graduate from college than children of renters of the same age, race, and income. (habitatbroward.org)
Globally, in 2008, around 89% of children aged six to twelve were enrolled in primary education, and this proportion was rising. (en.wikipedia.org)

How To

Why homeschool?

When choosing whether to homeschool or send your child to school, there are several factors to consider.

Which type of education do YOU want for your child's future? Are you looking for academic excellence, or social skills?
How involved are you in your child’s education? Do you prefer to stay informed about what your child is doing? Or would you rather let him/her make decisions on his/her own?
Do you have any special needs for your child? If so, how will you address those needs?
Will you be able to manage your child's schedule? Can you commit to teaching your child at home every day?
What types of subjects will you cover? Math, science, language arts, art, music, history, geography, etc. ?
How much money do you have available to educate your child?
Is your child old enough for school?
You will need to find somewhere to place your child. You will need to find a place large enough for your child's classroom and provide adequate facilities like bathrooms and kitchens.
What is your child's age?
When does your child go down to sleep?
When does he/she finally wake up?
How long does it take to get from point A to point B?
How far away is your child's school?
How far is your home from your child's school?
How do you get your child to school?
What are some of the advantages of homeschooling?
What are the downsides?
Who will watch your child while he/she's outside?
What are your expectations?
What kind of discipline will you use?
What curriculum will you use?

There are many reasons that people homeschool their children. Some of them include:

Your child may have learning disabilities that prohibit him/her attending traditional schools.
You want to provide an alternative form of education for your child.
You would like more flexibility with your scheduling.
High tuition fees are not something you want to pay.
You believe your child is receiving a better quality of education than he/she could receive in a traditional school environment.
You believe you are better at teaching your child than a teacher in traditional schools.
You don't like how the school system works.
You are uncomfortable with the rules and regulations in the school system.
You want your child to develop a strong work ethic.
You want your child to have the freedom of choosing which courses they take.
Your child deserves individual attention.

Another benefit of homeschooling is:

There's no need to be concerned about books, uniforms pencils, paper or supplies.
You can customize your child's education according to his/her interests.
Homeschooling allows parents to spend quality time with their kids.
Students who are homeschooled tend to learn more quickly than peers because they don't have to be distracted by their peers.
Many homeschoolers score higher in standardized tests.
Homeschool families tend to be happier overall.
Homeschoolers are less likely to drop out.