Do you think the alternate route for teaching is fair?

Question

Do you think the alternate route for teaching is fair?

Answer 1

yes, the alternate route is fair, those people are just not as prepared as they could be.

Answer 2

There are so many alternative routes, some are unfair to those who have gone through the process and spent the time to invest in their future, others are ok, and still there are some that are horrendous.

What I think is wrong, is the new licensure process they are making future teachers go through. Heads up to anyone not yet licensed, this is going to be a horrible thing for many and most of all to the students that will loose out on would be terrific teachers.

Answer 3

I do believe that it is fair.  Mostly because I am going through the alternative route myself.  But I would say that the alternative route is not for everyone.  I was a math major until my last semester of college which is when I changed my major to General Studies.  The only math class that I did not have was Advanced Calculus(which is the weed out class at most colleges and I would have to wait to graduate a year later for 3 hours...and it definitely was no guarantee I would pass it anyways)...It would be more difficult for me to receive an education degree to teach high school math than to actually receive a math degree, mostly because all of the same classes are required but no D's are accepted unlike a math degree...If someone is comfortable with running a classroom and wishes to be a high school math or science teacher I would actually advise against student teaching because of how hard it is...and if i went through that extra work and had a degree like that I would go to a job that I received 6 figures for...i don't put a lot of stock in money, but that is a major reason we have a shortage of high school math and science teachers...I have also been a youth minister, a tennis coach, a substitute teacher, and a math tutor so I feel that I have had the exposure needed to run a classroom...not to say I won't have any trouble my first year, but i've never heard a teacher say anything good about their first year regardless of whether or not they went through student teaching...I've passed all my tests and only need to finish 1 year of teaching to receive my certification...i hope that answers your question

Answer 4

I think that alternate routes can be unfair.  Some of the individuals that become teachers after 18 credits of education classes are not prepared for the classroom but are given one anyway.  Others who have completed teaching programs and are fully certified are left to compete with those who took an alternate route.  Eventually everyone ends up taking the same requirements but it seems that those who go through alternate routes sometimes have an edge on getting a position.  Sometimes students are the ones to suffer because their teacher may not have enough education knowledge to have effective classroom management or methods.  I think it makes sense to have alternate routes if there are shortages in the subject area but I think it is ridiculous to provide alternate routes for subjects like social studies or english where there are already too many applicants for each position.  

Answer 5

... and the route will be ????

Answer 6

Since you didn't say which alternate route, it is impossible to answer your question.  If you want an answer, provide some information about the requirements of the alternate route. For example, to get a degree in my state in education, you go through 4 years of college and then have to pass a certification test.  If you want to advance in the profession, you usually have to get a masters degree within 5 years after the initial training.  The more training you receive (college degrees), the higher your salary and the greater your chance for advancement.

Answer 7

As a person who went through an alternative program I think such programs can be very fair.

I graduated with a degree in English and Psychology.  After graduation I did various jobs but kept gravitating to the field of education.  

I worked in Student Affairs at several colleges but knew that I didn't want to end up behind a desk.  After being six years out of college I applied for a local alt. program.  The application process was difficult!  I had to first pass the state teacher's test before they would even consider me.  Then I had to go through a panel interview.  Finally, I had to teach a five minute lesson - mind you I had been out of school for a while, and furthermore was not familiar with teacher lingo.

It has been eight years since I have been out of that program and a teacher.  I am currently in a masters program.   I am a mentor and teacher-leader in my school.  I am asked to be a part of many groups and my opinion is often sought out.    

I love my job and were it not for this program I would not have had the chance to share my skills, and love of my subject!