Secondary Teacher Preparation: North Carolina

Analysis of North Carolina's policies

North Carolina does not ensure that its secondary teachers are adequately prepared to teach grade-level content.

Regrettably, the state does not require content tests for initial licensure; such tests are only mandated once candidates apply for the standard professional 2 license, usually after three years. Further, North Carolina also allows both general science and general social studies licenses—and does not require subject-matter testing for each subject area within these disciplines (see Goal 1-G and 1-H).

To add an endorsement to a clear secondary license, teachers in North Carolina may choose one of the following: pass a content test, complete a state-approved program that leads to licensure or complete 24 hours in the subject area with a C or better. 

Citation

Board of Education Policy Manual, TCP-A-003 http://sbepolicy.dpi.state.nc.us/ Teacher Certification http://www.ncpublicschools.org/licensure/steps/ Additional Endorsement http://www.ncpublicschools.org/licensure/faq/

Recommendations for North Carolina

Require subject-matter testing for secondary teacher candidates.
As a condition of licensure, North Carolina should require its secondary teacher candidates to pass a content test in each subject area they plan to teach to ensure that they possess adequate subject-matter knowledge and are prepared to teach grade-level content. 

Require subject-matter testing when adding subject-area endorsements.
North Carolina should require passing scores on subject-specific content tests, regardless of other coursework or degree requirements, for teachers who are licensed in core secondary subjects and wish to add another subject area, or endorsement, to their licenses.

State response to our analysis

North Carolina contended that in order for a teacher candidate to teach a secondary content-specific area, he or she must have earned a major in that area. However, there are some secondary licensure areas in which a major is not required. 

Last word

While coursework, even a major, may be generally indicative of background in a particular subject area, only a subject-matter test ensures that teachers know the specific content they will need to teach.