Certification Step-by-Step
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Delaware Highlights
Avg. Elementary Teacher Salary: $60,600
Avg. Secondary Teacher Salary: $63,640
Vacation Weeks Per Year: 15
Teacher salaries were provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: May 2017 Occupational Employment Statistics report.

Certification Requirements
Important Note: Education licensure requirements and salary statistics (for teachers and administrators) are subject to change. CertificationMap.com makes its best effort to keep content accurate; however, the official sources are the state education departments. Please confirm licensing requirements with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. Last updated: 1/06/2015
Delaware teaching applicants must apply online through DEEDS (Delaware Educator Data System), the state’s online application process. To obtain a teaching license/certification, the Delaware Department of Education’s requires applicants to meet the following requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree (or higher)
- Student teaching experience, as indicated on transcript(s)
- Passing scores on Praxis I exam
- Passing score(s) on Praxis II tests for certification area(s)
Delaware Teacher Prerequisite Coursework
All states require that certified teachers at a minimum have a Bachelor’s degree. Additionally, some states have undergraduate credit hour requirements for certification in specialty areas. Delaware, however, does not have any undergraduate credit hour requirements.
Delaware Teacher Preparation
Teacher preparation includes the completion of an accredited teacher education program.
Alternative Certification
Graduates of accredited colleges or universities whose bachelor’s degree was not in education, and who have not yet earned a traditional teaching certificate, can still receive an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements. Click here for information about alternative certification in Delaware.
Typically teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula often includes instruction on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (or the art and science of teaching), and preparing students to research, design and implement learning experiences in their field of study. The fieldwork component can include field observations, student teaching, and an internship. While the involvement in an education program may seem financially daunting, a number of financial resources specifically for teachers exist around the country. For more information on this, visit our page on scholarships for teachers. For more scholarships for teachers specific to the State of Delaware, visit our Delaware Teacher Scholarshipspage.
Delaware Required Tests
Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST)
The Praxis I PPST measures basic skills in reading, writing and mathematics. These tests evaluate whether candidates have the foundational and academic skills necessary to pursue a career as an educator in the state of Delaware.
Praxis II
The Praxis II Subject Assessments measures knowledge of general and specific subjects related to K-12 teaching skills and classroom knowledge. The Praxis II covers 120 different tests. Required tests are dependent on requirements set forth by one’s desired teaching discipline. The following assessments are required by the Delaware Department of Education:
Test(s) | Certification Area |
---|---|
Education of Young Children | Early Childhood Education |
Elementary Education: Content Knowledge Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (Subtests: Reading/Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies) |
Elementary Education |
Middle School English-Language Arts Middle School Mathematics Middle School Science Middle School Social Studies |
Middle School Education: (English-Language Arts; Mathematics; Science; Social Studies) |
Biology: Content Knowledge Chemistry: Content Knowledge Earth & Space Sciences: Content Knowledge English Language Arts: Content Knowledge Health Education General Science: Content Knowledge Mathematics: Content Knowledge Physical Science: Content Knowledge Physics: Content Knowledge Social Studies: Content Knowledge |
Secondary Education (Biology; Chemistry; Earth Science; English; Health Education; Integrated Science; Mathematics; Physical Science; Physics; Social Studies) |
Art: Content Knowledge | Art Education (all grades) |
Special Education: Core Knowledge & Applications | Exceptional Children (all grades) |
Music: Content Knowledge | Music Education (all grades) |
Physical Education: Content Knowledge | Physical Education (all grades) |
* Not all listed tests are required for each certification. Not all areas of certification are listed. View Delaware’s Test Requirements for more information.
Delaware Certification Reciprocity
Delaware will accept some teaching credentials from all but the following states: Alaska, Iowa, and Minnesota. Contact the Delaware Department of Education to inquire about your specific situation. Please see our interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information.
Delaware Teacher Salary
- Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: Delaware provides no support for teachers teaching in high needs schools and or for teachers teaching in shortage subject areas
- Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: Delaware has strong induction policies in place
- Average Elementary Teacher Salary: $54,700
- Average Secondary Teacher Salary: $55,480
- Teacher Salary vs. State Average Salary: The average teacher in Delaware makes 128% of the salary of the average worker in Delaware
- Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: 15
Teaching Jobs in Delaware: Apply Online
Join Delaware Schools is an online portal established by the Delaware Department of Education to provide potential educators with resources necessary to obtain a teaching position. Applicants can search current job opportunities as well as upload resumes and applications for districts to search.
Fingerprinting
Delaware does not require fingerprinting as part of the initial teacher licensing process. However, state law requires all teaching candidates to complete a state and federal background check prior to employment. Contact your local school district for more information regarding the fingerprinting process and requirements.
Delaware Substitute Teacher Requirements
Please click here to learn more about how to become a substitute teacher in Delaware.
Contact Information
Delaware Department of Education
Teacher Certification Office
401 Federal Street
Dover, Delaware 19901
(302) 857-3388 – Email
Additional links
- Delaware Department of Education
- Delaware Teacher Tenure
- Troops to Teachers Delaware: In Delaware, Troops to Teachers is managed by the New England Region Office
- Teachers Test Prep: Free online Praxis Study Guides and Praxis Practice Tests, and a variety of preparation options to meet your individual needs, including prep classes, private tutoring, and online
prep.
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