All teachers need to be certified prior to when they are allowed to work in Louisiana’s K-12 educational system. The process of certification is managed by the Louisiana Department of Education. Read on to find out more about the steps to becoming an educator in Louisiana.
How to Become a Teacher in Louisiana
Teachers in Louisiana are required to have an undergraduate degree, successfully complete a Louisiana teacher preparation course and pass the required Praxis tests. For traditional route educators enrolled in at a Louisiana-based school the mandatory teacher preparation consisting of 180 hours of fieldwork and an entire year of classroom residence is part of the bachelor’s degree program.
Anyone who has completed a bachelor’s degree, but didn’t complete the teacher preparation could be qualified to apply for substitute teacher accreditation for Louisiana.
Louisiana has an overlapping licensing system. Candidates who meet the minimum requirements listed above can be eligible for the Level 1 Professional Certificate. Teachers can move up to the level 2 Professional Certificate after completing their participation in the Louisiana Teacher Assistance and Assessment Program (LATAAP) and being able to teach for three years. Teachers can move up to the top certification, which is the Level 3 Professional Certificate, after completing a master’s level degree and teaching at minimum five years.
Finding Approved Teacher Education Programs in Louisiana
The first step towards getting certified as a teacher in Louisiana is to complete training through a recognized training program for teachers. Candidates for certification must be aware the teacher education programs offered in Louisiana have to have been certified from the Board of Education. The non-approved programs cannot allow graduates to be licensed. You can evaluate the most important indicators for these state-approved teacher training programs making use of the tables that can be sorted found on the Louisiana Schools page.
In evaluating the options for programs offered in other states or online, applicants need to verify that the school was accredited by the relevant local accreditation body. It is important to note that the US Department of Education recognizes six regional accreditation organizations. Schools that are accredited must have accreditation from one of the six bodies to be qualified to be eligible for Louisiana licensure for teachers.
Furthermore, schools could be accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Teacher Training (CAEP). The organization resulted of the merger from both the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) as well as the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC). Accreditation by voluntary means from CAEP is highly valued and acts as a mark of excellence.
Louisiana Teacher Education Requirements
The state requires that individuals seeking Louisiana teacher licensure must complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree and an approved teacher preparation program by the state with at least a 2.5 GPA. Additionally, the candidate must receive a recommendation in writing from the teacher preparation program to be eligible to receive a Louisiana teacher license.
Louisiana Teacher Testing Requirements
To be eligible for Louisiana teachers’ certifications, applicants must pass and take the Praxis examinations that correspond to their level of the grade level(s) as well as the subject(s) they plan to teach. The tests required comprise those that test the Core Academic Skills for Educators test to determine the candidate’s fundamental abilities in writing, reading as well as mathematics. Teachers in the future must also pass their Praxis Fundamentals of Teaching and Learning exam that is appropriate according to their level of the grade level(s) they plan to teach at, and the appropriate Praxis examinations for subject areas. Check with the Louisiana Department of Education to get the most recent breakdown of the required tests by endorsement region.
Additional Louisiana Teacher Certification Requirements
Louisiana is among the few states that do not require teachers who are new to the profession to undergo a fingerprint background check before they can be licensed. However, the individual districts and schools reserve they have the option of conducting their own background checks, which are typically required as a condition for hiring. Additionally, applicants who are applying for teaching certification must disclose any prior convictions for criminal offenses in their application.
Louisiana Teachers Licensing Application Process
If prospective educators are able to complete all the steps above, an application form must be submitted at the Louisiana Department of Education. Candidates should submit the following documents:
- The verification of bachelor’s degrees.
- Verification of completion of Louisiana teacher training program, as well as a certification recommendation from the official who oversees the program.
- Validation of scores that pass the mandatory Praxis tests. Verification of passing scores on the required Praxis.
- A completed application is not refundable for processing charges.
The applicants must go through their state’s licensing website for teachers, Teach LA to submit an application for the certification. Check out the Louisiana Department of Education for more details about the teaching credential in Louisiana.
Louisiana Teacher Outlook, Salary, and Jobs
In Louisiana state, there were 1,404 public K-12 schools with an estimated enrollment of 716,293 for the school year 2016-2017. 3 Based on the estimated 48,408 public school teachers in this school year. Louisiana had a teacher-to-student ratio of about fifteen:1. 3
Estimates suggest 1,800 annual average job openings in elementary schools for teachers. the average annual job openings are 510 in middle-school teachers and 1,040 annual average openings for secondary school teachers in Louisiana from 2016 through 2026. 2 The average pay teacher at the elementary level in Louisiana is $48,740. Middle school teachers earn an average of $49,960. secondary school teachers earn an average annual salary of $51,810. 4 For additional information and information on jobs and teaching opportunities in Louisiana visit the Louisiana Association of Educators. Louisiana Association of Educators.
| Type | Number Employed | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool Teachers | 1,980 | $32,290 |
| Preschool Teachers, Special Education | 530 | $49,480 |
| Kindergarten Teachers | 820 | $50,540 |
| Elementary School Teachers | 24,070 | $48,740 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | 3,990 | $50,300 |
| Middle School Teachers | 6,750 | $49,960 |
| Middle School Teachers, Special Education | 1,610 | $50,940 |
| Secondary School Teachers | 13,930 | $51,810 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Special Education | 2,850 | $51,940 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Career/Technical Education | 1,400 | $54,670 |
Information come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2018. 4
Louisiana Teacher Interview
Math Teacher & Assistant Principal, Cindy Wallace
teacher quote “Know that you’re in a position that will allow you to make a difference in the lives of others every day. There is a huge opportunity to help develop not just the skills that are evident to other people however, you can also discover the hidden potential in every student.” — Cindy Wallace, Louisiana Math Teacher
Frequently Asked Questions
Question What do I need to know in order to become a teacher in elementary schools in Louisiana?
Answer To become an accredited elementary teacher in Louisiana it is necessary to have an undergraduate degree in education and successfully complete a teacher training program. In addition, the state requires that you take the Praxis exams for elementary certification and be a student teacher in the classroom of an elementary school.
Question Do you think Louisiana requires teachers?
Answer: Yes! Louisiana has reported shortages of teachers across a wide range of subjects for the school year 2020-21 which includes math, science, English as a second language (ESL) and special education, and a variety of world languages, including Spanish, Latin, Chinese along with German. 5 Teachers in these areas could get jobs faster.
Question How can I become an educator at a high school in Louisiana?
Answer To become an educator in high schools in Louisiana requires an undergraduate degree in the field in which you would like to teach as well as successful completion of a teacher training program that includes a student teaching part. Additionally, you must pass the mandatory Praxis examinations before you can be a high school teacher.
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