Middle School Teacher Preparation : Vermont

Analysis of Vermont's policies

Vermont requires a middle grades (grades 5-9) endorsement for middle school teachers. Candidates must earn a minor in the content area to be taught.

All new middle school teachers in Vermont are also required to pass a single-subject Praxis II content test to attain licensure; a general content knowledge test is not an option.

Citation

Supplement A (5440-19) to the Vermont Standards Board for Professional Education Manual of Rules http://education.vermont.gov/new/html/licensing/regulations_endorsements.html www.ets.org/praxis

Recommendations for Vermont

Strengthen middle school teachers' subject-matter preparation.
Although Vermont is commended for not allowing middle school teachers to teach on a K-8 generalist license, it should strengthen middle school teachers' subject-matter preparation. Vermont should encourage middle school teachers who plan to teach multiple subjects to earn two minors in two core academic areas. Middle school candidates who intend to teach a single subject should earn a major in that area.

State response to our analysis

Vermont reiterated that middle school teachers who plan to teach multiple subjects must hold a minor in one subject area and pass a content test in each subject area they plan to teach.