How is the FTCE Middel School 5-9 General Science Exam? and what is the best study gu I am looking at maybe adding an additional core class onto my certification when I teach ESE, but I am looking at the Florida middle school general science 5-9. I am wondering how difficult the exam is. I was told it is possible to pass it if you have not taken a science class in years. If this is the case what study guide book would you recommended? Is anyone familiar with the Praxis study guide for this subject area and if so is it similar to what will be on the FTCE General Science 5-9 Exam? Thanks
I may be mistaken, but I thought the middle grades certification was abolished. You can check the DOE website to be sure. If the test is still offered, I have friends who have said it was difficult to pass without a recent science background. Florida has changed many of their certification rules to require course work for many subjects that you used to be able to just take the test. You could check the DOE website for the best info.
I appreciate the feedback, I did not know that. How long ago did you leave Florida? As of now in Florida what would you suggest in landing a position in a middle school or high school for a person with a certification in ESE and Social Science 6-12? I am looking to go into ESE because I heard it is a critical need area while just social science is not. I was thinking about Science because I may feel a little more comfortable teaching it than math or Language arts. I am looking into ESOL because I have taught English for 4 years overseas. I am told by the director the program I am joining that employment is not guaranteed, but there is a need for social science in the ESE program as a lot of regular social science teachers are not looking to get their cert in ESE ,because of the time and paper work required for IEPS. I would appreciate your feedback or anyone you may know that is still active in Florida,especially in the ESE field.
I have been in Florida for a while. I am retiring this year after 40 years of teaching. I think the best thing for you to do is to contact DOE. I really don't want to give you the wrong information because your job may depend on the right information.
I guess you have seen a lot in those 40 years? I did speak DOE and I can forget about the ESOL as it is an extension of Language Arts and I would have to take numerous courses being I am a history major. I did find out that General Science 5-9 is fine and I am not required to have science as a major. The only question to myself is will I be able to pass the exam. It has been a while since I took a science class. I am just trying to find something(other than math or language arts) to teach in a ESE area. Again, I appreciate any advice you may have.
If there any Florida 5-9 science teachers I would appreciate your feedback about the exam. I was already told by the state that no course work in science is required to take the exam and become certified in the area after passing it. Has anyone used the Praxis exam prep guide for the FTCE EXAM and if so which one is good? Thanks:help:
I am in the same boat as you, with the same questions. I have my certification in Social Science 6-12, but would also like to get Gen Science 5-9. I have about 15 credit hours in science courses under my belt, but they were nearly 20 years ago. I, too, am wondering if a I could pass the exam with the study guide alone. However, one of your comments was interesting- you said that you were told that no course work in science is required as long as you pass the exam- I was told this was not true. They told me that 18 hours in college credit hours is required, with courses in Biology, Chemistry and/or Physics, and Earth Science. So they said even if I pass the SAE, I need to still take another 3 credit hours in science (biology, specifically) to meet their 18 hour requirement.
Mick, everything is up to the school district. Example: You can take and pass the ESOL SAE, but every district in Florida requires a degree in an LA program or a certain number of credit hours in that field. I was told by my EPI advisor that science 5-9 does not require the course load, but she can be wrong. I will contact the school district and ask them this question.
I don't think we are talking about the same thing then. I am referring to the certification that you receive from the state of Florida, independent of any school district. They can issue a Statement of Eligibility, Temporary Certificate, or Professional Certificate. These come from FL Dept of Education (DOE), not the school district. I was told, by the state of FL, that to receive a temporary certificate in Gen Science 5-9, you must have 18 credit hours in science, including physics/chem, bio, and earth science. They said passing the Subject Area Exam does not exempt one from this requirement. But in your post above you wrote that you were "told by the state that no course work in science is required to take the exam and become certified in the area after passing it." So therein lies the discrepancy...
Mick, This is the way it goes, if you are going for a temp cert and offered a position and have so much time to get the certification, then you need the course work, but if you are (like me) in an epi program or prep program then the rules are different. Any course , but reading and ESOL . You can take the subject area exam and if you pass it you will be certified in that area and the school district will consider you. When you spoke to the state you must have mentioned about getting a temp cert . If you just said you were in an EPI program you would get a different response.
I did tell them that I am enrolled in an EPI program and that my Bachelor's degree is in Psychology. Because of my undergrad degree in psychology, I am able eligible for a temporary certificate for Social Science 6-12. I would like to also get certified to teach General Science 5-9. They said the EPI program still does not exempt one from having to meet the 18 credit hours in science requirement. They said unless you have a Bachelor's degree in a field of science, they require at least 18 hours in science (as well as passing the SAE in science 5-9).
That's my understanding as well. There are certain subjects that in order to get certified, you need to meet the subject area specializations (so either a 4 year degree in that subject or a certain number of college credits). Then in addition to that you also need to pass the subject area exam. Being in an EPI program doesn't change that fact.
Mick, Did you get this answer after paying for an evaluation? I did find out that you could take the SAE, but to get the professional you have to have your college transcripts evaluated. What EPI program are you in? I sent an e mail to my EPI director. There has to be a list that tells you right off without an evaluation fee what you can get a cert in without a course load or degree
Mick, I just spoke with Clay County Schools and the lady said if you take the exam before getting your professional certification in hand then you will be required to take the course load, but being you already hold a professional certification (not matter in what) you can take the exam and when you pass it gets added onto your certification.
