Delivering Well Prepared Teachers Policy
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.
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.
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.