Question for teachers(or those working to become teachers).

[claud]

My daughter is thinking about attending school to be a Family and Consumer Science teacher. Any FCS teachers out there?

She is not strong academically and not a good test-taker(has a learning disability). Exactly when do you take the Praxis tests and how difficult are they? Can you take them multiple times if necessary?

 

[saddina]

First you may want to look into how stable the job prospects are. I'm guessing that's equivilent to home economics here, if so, many schools are cutting it as a non-essential course. Here they cut across the board, I taught 3rd/4th for 5 years to be laid off in December, my students were split into 4 other classes, taking those to 40 students each.

 

[teach1rusl]

Quote:
OMGosh...40 kids to a class???? That's nuts! How horrible for kids AND teachers!

Claud...it's been too many years since I took the praxis. I don't remember it being especially difficult (although I certainly remember stressing about it). Unless they've changed things, you can take those tests more than once, although I'm not sure what the delay in between would be. If your daughter has a diagnosed learning disability, they may make accomodations for the test. I'd contact the college and ask.

 

[gudrin]

If I remember right, I took my Praxis after doing a lot of the courses to become a teacher...That was at the end of that coursework, but before student teaching. Oh, and FACS teachers are hard to come by. I know a lot schools around in my state are cutting the program mainly because there is no one to teach the courses. A lot of colleges and the like don't offer the courses to become a FACS teacher is what I've heard, but I don't know for sure. It's just hearsay for me. There was an exam at the beginning of my teaching courses as well, but I don't remember exactly what that all was about. I got my license in 2006. I know it shouldn't be so fuzzy for me, but my college years tend to all run together.

 

[claud]

Thanks for the responses.

We looked around for schools and it was difficult to even find a school that offered FACS degrees. But we found 3 in Pennsylvania of which 2 are unaffordable. So you'd think there wouldn't be nearly as much competition for jobs as there would be for ..say... elementary ed.

So you take the Praxis test before you even get into your courses? That would be good - I just have this terrible image in my head that she struggles through 4 yrs of school and then can't pass the tests

 

[teach1rusl]

Well...there's still the actual teacher exams to take for certification, at least in my state

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

I would think the degree would be in elementary or secondary ed, with a teaching specialty in Family & Consumer Science? Back when I was in college, Elementary Ed required one teaching specialty and secondary required two.

 

[claud]

Quote:
Well, we did find 3 schools that offered a Bachelor's in Family and Consumer Science. Don't think there are all that many schools around that offer it.

Most likely she will change her mind again

but I'm researching everything just so we know.....

 

[sune42]

I am going to school right now to be an Art Teacher (talk about lack of job market!) and I know for my school you need a specific SAT score to get into school, and another higher SAT score to be accepted into the school of Education. First you complete your general education requirements, IE history, math, english etc.. Then after being accepted into the school of ed, you have education related classes. Then, I believe, the Praxis. After that there are still state certifications I need to pass. Your best bet would be to talk to a admissions person from the school of ed at the collage she is looking at. Another option for you is for her to do her general classes at a local and or cheaper school, then transfer to one of the PA schools for the education part of her degree.


edited because I can't type tonight and obviously I need to work on my punctuation and grammar.