Education Programs: Tips and Stats

Smart Choices

Math and Science. Not only is there a nationwide shortage in these specialties, but studies continue to show that American science students lag behind their peers in Asia and other parts of the world.

Insider Tip

Many states offer financial incentives for students willing to work in hard-to-staff subject or geographic areas. Iowa's student teacher loan forgiveness program, for example, offers up to $6,000 of loan forgiveness; certain restrictions apply, as they say. Other programs pay up after a year (or more) in the classroom. California's National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification Incentive Program pays out $20,000 over a four-year period. The American Federation of Teachers lists teacher scholarship and loan forgiveness programs at aft.org.

Getting In

Take the Praxis. The test is required for teacher certification in many states and at an increasing number of ed schools. Check out the ETS website for tips and sample questions: www.ets.org.

It's All About Attitude. Looking good on paper isn't enough. Performance is an important aspect of teaching, and many schools are looking for poised candidates with some social seasoning. Cultivate your interpersonal skills.

Follow the Need

It's much harder to find positions in wealthy or suburban areas than in rural areas or inner cities, so a change of scenery could boost your job prospects once you graduate. The feds keep a list of "teacher shortage areas" (use that phrase to search at ed.gov). At last glance, Washington State was looking for earth science teachers, and Massachusetts needed whizzes in Portuguese. Oh, and New Jersey needed people willing to teach in Hoboken.

Reality Check

• Average national base salary for full-time teachers: $52,308
• Highest: California, $64,424, and New York, $62,332; lowest: South Dakota, $36,674
• Want the bad news? Average salaries for public school teachers nationwide declined 1.0% in the past decade. But don't tell that to teachers in Wyoming (up 24.1%), Louisiana (up 12.8%), or Mississippi (up 10.5%)
• Average student / teacher ratio, elementary schools, U.S. average: 20.2:1; secondary schools: 12.0:1
• Want some respect? Teachers rank very high in the latest Harris Poll measuring the "most prestigious occupations," although firefighters, scientists, doctors, and nurses still have them beat.

Reality Check sources: National Education Association; National Center for Education Statistics; Harris Interactive