Secondary Education Degrees in Arkansas
With the exception of parents, few people impact a growing child’s life like teachers. This is especially true for adolescents, who go through some of life’s biggest changes as they approach adulthood. If you’re ready to get into the classroom and help Arkansas kids learn, consider earning a degree in secondary education. You can contact the Arkansas schools with secondary education degree programs directly from our site to get started.
Education standards are getting higher for high school students, so skilled, trained teachers are even more important. The governor of Arkansas recently passed legislation requiring high schools to offer computer science courses to interested students.
As a high school teacher in Arkansas, you may use your skills and your theoretical knowledge to help close the state’s achievement gap. SW Times reports that the achievement gap between different groups remains large, leading lawmakers to try to close the gap by increasing education standards.
You may be entering the field of education at a crucial time. The state recently elected to opt out of Common Core testing standards. Completing your degree may put you in a place to be a leader in the changing education industry.
Overview of Secondary Education Programs in Arkansas
To develop the minds of Arkansas’s adolescents, you must meet strict educational standards and prove your commitment to education by learning about many different education theories. If this is your first degree, consider earning a Bachelor’s degree in secondary education and a subject area like mathematics, biology, or art. If you have already earned a Bachelor’s degree, you may be able to quickly gain your certification through an alternative certification program. Those who already teach at another level can expand their certification to include secondary school with a Master’s degree.
Secondary education programs tackle many learning goals that are meant to prepare you for a teaching career. You may learn how to exhibit leadership skills in the classroom and amongst other teachers. You may also learn how to develop and test curricula for efficacy. By reading research and studying the research process, you can discover how to use best instructional practices in your classroom. Organizational management is also covered in secondary education programs, as are various teaching techniques.
Student teaching is an important test of your teaching skills and abilities, as well as the time at which you start building professional connections. In the final semester of your education, you get assigned to a secondary education classroom and slowly increase your teaching responsibilities in the classroom.
Working in Secondary Education in Arkansas
The state’s demand for secondary teachers is high, which may benefit you during the job search. Through 2022, O*Net expects a 9 percent increase in secondary education teaching jobs. This may lead to over 300 new jobs per year (O*Net, 2012).
You may earn a competitive salary as a secondary school teacher in Arkansas. O*Net reports that secondary teachers earn an average of $46,600 per year.
As you near the end of your degree, you can plan for your teaching license. The Arkansas State Board of Education requires you to pass the PRAXIS II to apply for your teaching license.
The field of education is an exciting and meaningful one with a wide range of opportunities. Take the first step in your career by contacting secondary education programs in Arkansas to learn more.
