Become a Teacher in Delaware

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:

* 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

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.