Questions about certification and testing in Dothan…

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Alabama Teachers Chatboard

Questions about certification and testing in Dothan...

by Ann

Jul 13, 2008

I am in the process of applying for a position with Dothan City Schools. I have a Master of Music in Choral Conducting, and I have spent the last two years as a Director of Music in the Alabama College System.

I have a few questions that no one can seem to answer for me... First off, will my experience in the public college system count on the salary scale? What are the requirements for certification with a masters degree? Is this a difficult process? I am going to the office to "test" this week for the position. Is this the basic skills test that I keep seeing mentioned on the boards? Do you have advice where I can find info about this? Also, as someone not holding a certification, what should I do to make myself stand out for the job? If they have someone who is certified are they more likely to hire that person? I have had several people tell me that the certification process is not difficult at all, so most schools do not worry if you are qualified but not certified, i.e....See More

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Frustrated w/ the Process Ann,

I am a certified teacher from MS with 4 years of experience. I have been trying to go through the process of getting certified to teach in Alabama since last August. It is a very involved process and you will not get the same info twice by calling the ALSDE. The testing the Dothan City Schools requires is not the same as the APTTP/Pr...See MoreAnn,

I am a certified teacher from MS with 4 years of experience. I have been trying to go through the process of getting certified to teach in Alabama since last August. It is a very involved process and you will not get the same info twice by calling the ALSDE. The testing the Dothan City Schools requires is not the same as the APTTP/Praxis II testing requirements.

You still need to register for the test (I believe the next is the first week of August). Also, if you are called back, you will interview with building-level administrators (principals). However; unless you have completed the application with both ALSDE and Dothan City Schools, you can't even be interviewed or considered for any positions. Then, even if you are considered, you can't be hired until you have an Alabama certification in hand - which won't happen until you have passed the APTTP and Praxis II subject area test. Additionally, you have to have certain classes on the undergraduate and graduate levels to obtain the Alabama certification.

Please excuse any incorrect info; but, this is what I have gleaned in the 11 month runaround that I have been getting.

On 7/13/08, Ann wrote: > I am in the process of applying for a position with Dothan > City Schools. I have a Master of Music in Choral > Conducting, and I have spent the last two years as a > Director of Music in the Alabama College System. > > I have a few questions that no one can seem to answer for > me... First off, will my experience in the public college > system count on the salary scale? What are the requirements > for certification with a masters degree? Is this a > difficult process? I am going to the office to "test" this > week for the position. Is this the basic skills test that I > keep seeing mentioned on the boards? Do you have advice > where I can find info about this? Also, as someone not > holding a certification, what should I do to make myself > stand out for the job? If they have someone who is > certified are they more likely to hire that person? I have > had several people tell me that the certification process > is not difficult at all, so most schools do not worry if > you are qualified but not certified, i.e. they are not put > off by the process of alternative certification. Is this > true? Lastly, what is the hiring process for public school > positions? After I test, will they call me for an > interview? If so, who would interview me: the headmaster of > the school or someone from the board of education? > > As you can see, I'm fairly lost in this process. I know > that I am more than qualified for the position. I just need > information about the process. I have read basically all of > the paperwork on the alsde site; though some have helped, > for the most part they are more confusing than helpful. > > Any help that you can give will be greatly appreciated!!! > > Thanks! Ann

Jul 16, 2008

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