California teaching credential question (credit, home, schools)

[thepinksquid]

First off, let me preface this post by saying that I am fully aware of all the craziness effecting CA schools at the moment with budget cuts, furloughs, and lay-offs.

However, if someone was insane enough to want to get their teaching license for California, and they already hold a bachelor's degree, are they better off going through a program to JUST get the license, or would it better to get a masters degree in education? The reason I ask is because it seems the license/credential program at a university near me is 2 semesters, whereas there's a masters program that is 3 semesters AND you get the credentials/license while completing that.

I've heard that since teachers that hold a masters cost more to employ, that often they're they first to be cut--and also that often the districts will pay for teachers to receive their masters in the first place. Any thoughts?

PS--the areas I would looking to be certified are in secondary special education/ESOL or secondary science education.

Thanks!

[Snort]

I think it's a badge of honor that a district has someone with a master's degree, and they'll often state it on their homepage if they have a larger percentage of these in their district. Districts typically will lay off teachers based solely upon seniority and they look at the hire date to the day you were hired.

[Clarks]

You need X number of credits in Education that CA recognizes, and you need to pass whatever tests they require, even a teaching credential and 20 years experience in another state won't allow you to teach in CA.

A masters or doctorate in education looks great on paper, but doesn't make you either a better nor worse teacher.

Consider all the Mommies that home school, typically no education in education, but they consider themselves to be better than credentialed teachers.

[thepinksquid]

Originally Posted by Clarks

You need X number of credits in Education that CA recognizes, and you need to pass whatever tests they require, even a teaching credential and 20 years experience in another state won't allow you to teach in CA.

A masters or doctorate in education looks great on paper, but doesn't make you either a better nor worse teacher.

Consider all the Mommies that home school, typically no education in education, but they consider themselves to be better than credentialed teachers.

Yeah, I am fully aware of CA requires for the teaching license, I'm just wondering if there's any issue in getting the masters because it's essentially only a semester extra from the normal credential program. Really my main reason for going for the masters would be more money, not necessarily to be a "better teacher" as I know that comes from experience and experience alone.

[thepinksquid]

Originally Posted by Snort

I think it's a badge of honor that a district has someone with a master's degree, and they'll often state it on their homepage if they have a larger percentage of these in their district. Districts typically will lay off teachers based solely upon seniority and they look at the hire date to the day you were hired.

Alright, cool. I was worried it was more based off pay than seniority. Good to know.

[riceeater]

i think you should go for the master's degree; my colleagues who had master's thank themselves for the extra work they did as students... i sure thank myself, my master's stipend is $1,600 each year, so i'm that much richer b/c of it... and since you're going to get your credential in special ed. or science, then you'll have your pick of the districts, not vice versa (yes, even during this budget crisis; see for yourself on edjoin.org)

[thepinksquid]

Originally Posted by riceeater

i think you should go for the master's degree; my colleagues who had master's thank themselves for the extra work they did as students... i sure thank myself, my master's stipend is $1,600 each year, so i'm that much richer b/c of it... and since you're going to get your credential in special ed. or science, then you'll have your pick of the districts, not vice versa (yes, even during this budget crisis; see for yourself on edjoin.org)

Thanks so much! It's only a year of school vs. two semesters for getting my credentials anyhow, so I think I'll go for it. Also--it seems I can study for and take my CSET tests on my own so that's what I'll be doing this summer (plus, hopefully being able to sub at one of the year-round schools in my area).