Middle School Teacher qualifications

[Anonymous]

Do middle school teachers need a degree in the subject they are teaching, i.e. Math teacher should have a degree (or at least a minor) in math? Or an art teacher should have a degree or training in art (I realize a lot of Artists may be self taught). I ask b/c a Charter school I am considering appears to have a math teacher/SST who has an BA in political science. I think she also has a master's in special ed, so will be working as SST and math teacher. Art teacher has a degree in Religion. No mention of studying Art, either informally or formally. Maybe this is pretty typical and common place. I just thought teachers needed to have a background in their subject. Would love thoughts/opinions of others who have MS and HS aged kids. TIA!

[Anonymous]

Charter schools have a lot of latitude in hiring. Traditional public school districts usually have requirements regarding teacher certifications in the subject being taught past a certain grade. There are also more defined HR policies, processes and collective bargaining agreements that come into play.

So this school is probably not doing anything 'wrong/illegal' but as a consumer you can decide if you are comfortable with their approach. It sounds like what I have heard of in some private schools too, FWIW.

I believe you can find out the percentage of 'highly qualified teachers' any public or charter school has and expertise/degrees in subject being taught is part of that metric.

[Anonymous]

Good to know, thanks. I haven't run into this issue yet b/c it seems most ES have specialized training. As a liberal arts major, I can't imagine trying to teach Algebra but I wasn't a strong math student either.

[Anonymous]

Since you said charter, I assume you are in DC. Here is info about licensing requirements and testing. It mentions the exemptions for charters although a school can require it if they wish. http://osse.dc.gov/service/teacher-licensure

[Anonymous]

among the many reasons charters suck.

[Anonymous]

I teach in Virginia. I have a master's in secondary math education, but all I'd have to do to teach another subject is pass a test.