Aspiring teachers have a plethora of options when it comes to finding a program of study - there are more than 600 teaching programs in the United States accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
When choosing a teaching program, prospective students should look at a school's curriculum to see how relevant and up-to-date it is. Programs should thoroughly cover modern technology and prepare students to teach in highly culturally-diverse classrooms. Faculty members should be connected to the local education community and spend time in classrooms. Area teachers, as well, should be available to students to serve as mentors.
Students interested in specializing in a subject should make sure a program's curriculum meets standards established by that particular subject's national board, such as the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics. Schools should have high job placement rates, as well as a high percentage of students passing the licensing exam. Finally, students should check with the state they wish to teach in and be sure their chosen program will meet standards necessary for licensure. The National Teacher Recruitment Clearinghouse offers this list of links to state boards of education.
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