Education Credentials Agency

[JimandChristy 1,689]

Are there any teachers out there who originally qualified and taught in the UK and are now teaching in the USA?

If so, I just received my evaluation report from the ECE to convert my UK qualifications into USA form and I have to say I'm not entirely convinced with the conversion they have given me. In the UK I graduated with a bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering (3 years) and then went on to do a PGCE (2 years including induction year) in Mathematics. The evaluation came back as a double bachelors qualification, one in "Chemical Engineering" and the other in "Secondary Education with a teaching major in Mathematics"

Does this sound reasonable? Just that I have seen from other sources that a PGCE is equivalent to a Masters Degree in the USA. Would that be accurate? Naturally I'm asking this because pay scale wise you are paid more if you have a Masters qualification rather than a Bachelors qualification. Would having two Bachelors be equivalent to a Masters or better? It would be much appreciated if any previous UK teachers could provide any input into this and their experience with the Agency they submitted their qualifications to. Thank you.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Moving to the UK Regional Forum in hopes of getting specific responses.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I am not an expert but most people get their teaching qualifications here as part of their BA/BS. Unlike the UK they don't do a subject and then go on to get the teaching qualification, so it sounds about right to me but I am not a teacher and don't have experience with this.

[Amanda and Tony 0]

Are there any teachers out there who originally qualified and taught in the UK and are now teaching in the USA?

If so, I just received my evaluation report from the ECE to convert my UK qualifications into USA form and I have to say I'm not entirely convinced with the conversion they have given me. In the UK I graduated with a bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering (3 years) and then went on to do a PGCE (2 years including induction year) in Mathematics. The evaluation came back as a double bachelors qualification, one in "Chemical Engineering" and the other in "Secondary Education with a teaching major in Mathematics"

Does this sound reasonable? Just that I have seen from other sources that a PGCE is equivalent to a Masters Degree in the USA. Would that be accurate? Naturally I'm asking this because pay scale wise you are paid more if you have a Masters qualification rather than a Bachelors qualification. Would having two Bachelors be equivalent to a Masters or better? It would be much appreciated if any previous UK teachers could provide any input into this and their experience with the Agency they submitted their qualifications to. Thank you.

It sounds about right. I taught for 5 years on an exchange program. I had to have a foreign credentials report done through a lawyer. I have a BEd so I'm not 100% certain about the PGCE being a masters equivalent. You will also have to certify in your chosen state. My comapny took care of it for me but I've now had to recertify myself. Most states will let you teach while you get your certification.

Sorry that I can't be more certain. Can you challenge your agencies decision???

[estrella 14]

Hello, I don't have much input to give you but I do have a question for you, how was the service on ECE I'm about to have my credits converted and the college gave me ECE and WES as an option, I haven't read any good comments about either, and I'm scared to put my hard earned education in the wrong hands, Thanks in advance

[rebeccajo 14]

Seems like most people have used WES. I don't know of any reason why that would be though.

Isn't Frances' husband a teacher? (Sister Fracas)

Edited October 28, 2009 by rebeccajo

[JimandChristy 1,689]

It sounds about right. I taught for 5 years on an exchange program. I had to have a foreign credentials report done through a lawyer. I have a BEd so I'm not 100% certain about the PGCE being a masters equivalent. You will also have to certify in your chosen state. My comapny took care of it for me but I've now had to recertify myself. Most states will let you teach while you get your certification.

Sorry that I can't be more certain. Can you challenge your agencies decision???

I can challenge the decision but it is probably going to be too much hassle, I emailed the person who dealt with my case personally about how they came to the decision of a double bachelors. Don't know if they will reply or not.

Hello, I don't have much input to give you but I do have a question for you, how was the service on ECE I'm about to have my credits converted and the college gave me ECE and WES as an option, I haven't read any good comments about either, and I'm scared to put my hard earned education in the wrong hands, Thanks in advance

The service was excellent, just make sure you have all the official documents of the qualifications you need to forward when you apply. Not having them can delay your case by weeks. WES was never an option for me since the state I wanted to apply to teach in only accepted credential reports from certain companies, those were Jsilny, Aacrao, ECE and IEE.

[estrella 14]

Thank you very much, I'm sending everything today, I hope everything goes ok

[Jasman0717 9]

Try googling foreign college credit evaluation. There are accredited companies around that can do the evaluation

[John & Mary 1]

Sorry I'm late to this party, but I'm an educator in Georgia and the organization with which you need to speak is the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. They can tell you everything you will need to know about transferring your educational credits and getting certified to teach in public schools. Here's a link:

http://www.gapsc.com/Certification/Documen...ternational.asp

I also teach with a transplanted Englishman, so I know it can be done! Good luck.

[JimandChristy 1,689]

Sorry I'm late to this party, but I'm an educator in Georgia and the organization with which you need to speak is the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. They can tell you everything you will need to know about transferring your educational credits and getting certified to teach in public schools. Here's a link:

http://www.gapsc.com/Certification/Documen...ternational.asp

I also teach with a transplanted Englishman, so I know it can be done! Good luck.

Thanks for the link! There is just one part on the page that has got me concerned...

Must provide a “foreign credentials report” to verify equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree and have employment. Application for certificate must come from employing school system.

What do they mean by that? I thought you had to apply for certification before employment was set up with a school system? So I just applied for certification on my own account, sent in the forms and the evaluation report from ECE. I've also called the certification division numerous times and not once did they mention I had to apply in conjunction with a school system.

Edited November 3, 2009 by JimandChristy

[John & Mary 1]

What do they mean by that? I thought you had to apply for certification before employment was set up with a school system? So I just applied for certification on my own account, sent in the forms and the evaluation report from ECE. I've also called the certification division numerous times and not once did they mention I had to apply in conjunction with a school system.

You know, honestly, there is no telling what they will do, but I'm sure they will find a way to get you a certificate, even if it's just provisional until you gain employment. My guess is that they will be so happy to have someone with a math/science background who wants to teach in the metro Atlanta public schools that they will do everything short of throwing you a parade. You have experience teaching, yes?

By the way, if you're not substitute teaching right now, you ought to be (assuming that you have your EAD). It will really give you a glimpse into what public schools in Atlanta are all about, and should make it clear to you whether or not you ought to go to a private school (where you won't need a certificate anyway). There are some good ones to consider-- Marist, St Pius X, Pace, Woodward, Westminster, GACS, etc. However, it's an important decision to make at the beginning of your teaching career here. If you start in public schools, you'll lose your retirement/pension if you make the switch to private schools. I teach in public schools, at a "good" location... I'm just telling you about your options!

[JimandChristy 1,689]

What do they mean by that? I thought you had to apply for certification before employment was set up with a school system? So I just applied for certification on my own account, sent in the forms and the evaluation report from ECE. I've also called the certification division numerous times and not once did they mention I had to apply in conjunction with a school system.

You know, honestly, there is no telling what they will do, but I'm sure they will find a way to get you a certificate, even if it's just provisional until you gain employment. My guess is that they will be so happy to have someone with a math/science background who wants to teach in the metro Atlanta public schools that they will do everything short of throwing you a parade. You have experience teaching, yes?

By the way, if you're not substitute teaching right now, you ought to be (assuming that you have your EAD). It will really give you a glimpse into what public schools in Atlanta are all about, and should make it clear to you whether or not you ought to go to a private school (where you won't need a certificate anyway). There are some good ones to consider-- Marist, St Pius X, Pace, Woodward, Westminster, GACS, etc. However, it's an important decision to make at the beginning of your teaching career here. If you start in public schools, you'll lose your retirement/pension if you make the switch to private schools. I teach in public schools, at a "good" location... I'm just telling you about your options!

Thanks for the advice, regarding the Private schools what are my chances of getting in because I expect demand to be high. I have three years teaching experience in state schools from the UK. I'm currently residing in Alabama but we are moving across the border into Georgia once I know I've got myself a teaching job over there so doing substitute teaching in the Atlanta area isn't an option at the moment, lol!

Naturally I've looked into substitute teaching in the county I currently live in but I was astonished at the going rate, only $55/day, based on a 8hr working day that is less than the federal minimum wage! I have however been going into the local middle and high schools observing lessons to get a good feel of what a teachers day is like in this part of the states.

I'll look into the private schools but it would be great if you know of a direct link where I can research any of them that are within a 50 mile radius of Atlanta. Far south as Coweta, Butts counties and as far north as Forsyth, Cobb counties etc.

[John & Mary 1]

Yes, sub pay is appalling-- I don't know why anyone does it! But as for private schools in Georgia, check out GISA:

http://www.gisa-schools.org/sch_schoollist.asp

[JimandChristy 1,689]

Yes, sub pay is appalling-- I don't know why anyone does it! But as for private schools in Georgia, check out GISA:

http://www.gisa-schools.org/sch_schoollist.asp

Thanks for the link!