West Coast vs East Coast

It is really interesting to compare the differences between the West coast of the country and the East coast of the country.  Besides the cultural and historical differences, the differences between the teacher prep programs are very different as well.

Throughout my time at WWU I was told that Washington State teacher prep (licensing and program requirements) were some of the strictest in the country so anywhere we wanted to get a job would be easy since the requirements would likely overlap.  Well that is true to some extent.  In terms of program requirements and internship and student teaching time, Washington state, or WWU at least, has one of the highest on the West coast.  And compared to other west coast or even midwest states, Washington has some of the most rigorous out there.

Then comes the hurdle of looking at work on the East Coast.  Then all of that talk falls apart.  :)  While Washington does have some great requirements for teachers that do overlap there is a lot of testing requirements that are not even looked at in Washington that many other states require.  The main one I am coming across is the Praxis series of testing.  East coast states require their students to complete a reading, writing, and math Praxis I tests before entering the teacher prep programs.  The nice thing about the Praxis I and II series of testing is that the tests are the same nationwide, and therefore transfer across without a hiccup.  Washington also has a test that covers reading, writing, and math that they use instead of the Praxis I series called the WEST-B.  The problem with this difference is that that test does not transfer outside of the state.  So, states like those on the East coast require three separate tests to be considered for employment.  AND then while Washington only requires one elementary content knowledge test to become certified in the state, East coast states require two content knowledge tests: one for content knowledge, and one for the application of that knowledge in classroom settings.  

In retrospect, I wish I had the foresight to look at other states when I was in school and had time to take the tests.  The Praxis I tests, luckily, are offered year-round by appointment so that will be easy enough to arrange.  However, the Praxis II tests are only offered during the academic year so I have to sit around and wait until September to take the other Praxis test if I am interested in choosing that option.  Decisions, decisions... but it does explain a lack of calls for employment!  :)