Middle School Teacher Preparation : Delaware

Analysis of Delaware's policies

Delaware requires middle-level certification for all middle school teachers. It appears, however, that these teachers are only required to complete a teacher preparation program; the state does not explicitly require a major or minor in these subject areas.

All new middle school teachers in Delaware 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

Delaware Administrative Code, Title 14, Sections 1505, 1531-34 www.ets.org/praxis

Recommendations for Delaware

Strengthen middle school teachers' subject-matter preparation.
Delaware is commended for not allowing middle school teachers to teach on a K-8 generalist license. But the state should strengthen middle school teachers' subject-matter preparation by encouraging middle school teachers who plan to teach multiple subjects to earn two minors in two core academic subjects.

State response to our analysis

Delaware reiterated that it does not allow for a generalist middle school grades certification. The state requires content-specific certification—the Praxis II—for all secondary subject areas, including all middle grades. Further, university programs are governed by NCATE requirements, and Delaware's colleges and universities generally require content-specific preparation for all aspiring middle school teachers.