Becoming a High School Teacher in Florida
Based on rising student enrollment there should be an increased demand for high school teachers. Read on to find out more about being a high school teacher in Florida and the specific requirements to obtain certification.
Florida High School Teacher Information
In order to obtain a Professional Florida Educator's Certificate to become a high school educator in Florida, there are several prerequisite requirements you will need to meet. There are specific educational requirements as well as a general knowledge exam and three major certification tests.
| Educational Requirements | Bachelor's Degree |
| Exam Requirements | Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) General Knowledge (GK) Test; Florida Educational Leadership Examination; FTCE Professional Education Test; FTCE SAE |
| License Validity | Professional Certificate, renew every five years |
| Average Salary (2018) | $54,120 per year |
| Estimated Job Growth (2016-26) | 8% |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Job Description
Florida high school teachers develop lesson plans, tests, and homework material, grade papers, assign readings, and facilitate discussion in a given subject area. They are also tasked with preparing students for Florida's standardized test regimen. Additional duties often include supervising homerooms and study halls and meeting with parents.
Education Requirements
In order to become a high school teacher in the state of Florida, you must first obtain a bachelor's degree with a major in your desired subject area, or in education, or obtain a bachelor's degree with demonstrated competence in your desired subject area. For most subject areas, competence can be demonstrated by passing a certain number of credit hours and completing certain courses depending on the given subject you wish to be certified to teach.
Demonstrating General Knowledge Proficiency
The Florida Department of Education requires teachers to pass the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE). The first of these is a General Knowledge (GK) test which includes an essay section, an English language skills section, a reading section, and a mathematics section. If you hold a valid teaching certificate from another US state or territory, this can be used in lieu of the exam to demonstrate your general knowledge. You can also document at least 2 semesters worth of college teaching experience or document high scores on a recently taken GRE test.
Passing the Florida Leadership Examination
Successfully passing the Florida Educational Leadership Examination (FELE) is the next step in becoming a high school teacher in the state of Florida. This test consists of three sections: Leadership for Student Learning, Organizational Development, and Systems Leadership. Each section is multiple-choice, except the last section which is split into a multiple-choice portion and a written portion. Besides continuing to test you on your language skills and writing competency, this test is also designed to measure your ability to analyze and interpret educational data.
Passing the FCTE Certification Tests
The next step is to pass the FTCE Professional Education Test, followed by an FTCE Subject Area Examination (SAE). The Professional Education Test is a standard multiple-choice test with four answers per question regarding teaching practice and theory. There are 39 SAE tests based on specific subject areas and grade levels. Each test consists of a multiple-choice section and a written section. Any of these Computer-based tests (CBT) can be taken at one of Florida's many CBT testing sites. After passing these exams, you can request a Professional Certificate which is valid for five school years and can be renewed after this through your school district office.