> DR>Each district in the US chooses its own salary schedule. For most, it's
  >basically BA, BA+18, BA+30, MA, MA+18, MA+30, PHD for "across the scale", 
an
 > I understand what the BA and MA mean but what are the
 > numbers attached?
Bach of Arts/Science/Music plus 18 sem. hours after that, plus 30 semester 
hours after it.
Every state in the US has different requirements about what it takes to get a 
credential. All states seem to require a bachelor's degree, but the courses 
that must be included are different. Some states have "reciprocity" with 
other states, so that if you have a credential from X state you can apply/pay 
for a credential in Y state without taking any additional courses. But it 
isn't a rule. I've been credentialed in Missouri, Arizona, and California. My 
original state was Missouri. I have had to take more courses everytime I 
change states.
 > I always get confused when you talk about hours in
 > reference to credit.Here we talk about credits. Most universities here
 > give 5 credits/courses for a year of completed full time
A semester hour of credit is usually around 15 clock hours of class. One 
course in "Teaching Reading in the Elementary School" might be a 3 or 4 
semester hour class. A full-time student usually takes between 15 and 18 
semester hours of credit per semester. A Bachelors degree is 120 semester 
hours or more, I believe, in an approved program.
 > New grads now have to complete a 2 year B.Ed. program
In California, you get your B/Arts/Science/Music degree first, then take one 
more year (the "fifth year"). I can't describe it further since I'm a 
"transplant". To get *my* California credential, I went thru these steps (I 
had a Missouri and an Arizona credential at the time):
1. Applied for a Preliminary credential. Before this application was made I 
had to take the CBEST.
2. Granted a one-year credential. I had one year to take the NTE.
3. After taking the NTE, I was granted a 5 year credential. I had to take 
courses for a clear credential: mainstreaming, computers in ed, among others.
4. Took courses, applied for a Clear Credential. Granted.
5. Take 150 clock hours of seminars, workshops, and courses with 
"professional growth" in mind. These must be done in 5 years, and the 
professional growth goals must be signed by a professional growth senior 
teacher or administrator.
6. Apply for 2nd clear credential. Repeat #5 every 5 years.
                                 -donna
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