How much does a beginning teacher make?
Typically, Washington state teachers are placed on the state teacher salary schedule that considers years of teaching service and highest degree awarded to determine salary. In addition, each school district has the ability to establish agreements with teachers that include pay and benefits.
I want to become a teacher, what do I have to do?
Depending on your educational and professional background, requirements to becoming certified to teach in Washington State may differ. Please click on this checklist checklist to answer common questions related to teaching in more detail. Minimum requirements for admission to an approved teacher preparation program are a passing score on the WEST-B (Basic Skills Test). In order to receive a teaching certificate you must also hold a Bachelors Degree or higher from a regionally accredited college/university and have completed the requirements of an approved teaching certificate from an approved teaching program in Washington or a state that has reciprocity with Washington.
Do I have to go back to school to become a teacher?
You need to complete an approved program to receive a Washington Teaching Certificate. Currently, all programs that are recognized by the Professional Educator Standards Board are located within colleges or universities. Passage of the education reform bill in 2010 allows non- higher education entities to become approved to offer certification programs in Washington State. See Teacher Preparation Programs in the left-hand navigation bar for more information.
What is an endorsement?
An endorsement defines the content area on the Washington Teaching Certificate. In the example below, the teacher holds a teaching certificate; and his/her endorsements in Biology, Chemistry and Middle Level Science allow him/her to teach in those subject areas. What's the difference between the Residency and Professional Teaching Certificates?
Washington State has a two-tier teacher licensure system. The Residency Teaching Certificate is the first certificate a teacher is given upon completion of the requirements to become certified in Washington State. Teachers must earn the Professional Certificate by passing the Pro-Teach Portfolio Assessment. Information related to earning the Professional Certificate can be found in the length of residency certificate chart.
What teacher preparation programs are near me?
Here are a list of the Washington approved teacher preparation programs by site and by types of degrees they offer.
Hint - Clicking the headers will sort this table by each column.
Where can I find a list of endorsements by college or university?
Here is a list of all endorsements by program, site, and degree.
Hint - use the "Endorsement" pull-down at the top of the table to filter by your area of interest.
Do I have to pass a test to enter a teacher preparation program?
Yes. Prospective teachers must pass the WEST-B (Washington Educator Skills Test--Basic) prior to admission into an approved program. The PESB has established extensions and exemptions to the West-B requirement (West-B Exemptions).
In addition, all prospective teachers are required to pass a content knowledge test for each endorsement earned. Some colleges and universities require the WEST-E as part of their admission requirements. Check with the individual college or university to discuss their admission policy.
What are the assessments I need to complete before I become a teacher?
The table below lists the assessments that must be completed by new teacher starting in the Fall of 2011.Hint - use the Endorsement pull-down at the top of the table to filter the results by your area of interest.
* The ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview has an option to take a computer delivered test for $65.
For more information, see the Teacher Assessments page on the PESB website.