Through school reform efforts, teachers are becoming more involved in site-based management responsibilities. Proposals for extending the school year to 12 months are now being considered. Many teachers belong to either the National Education Association or the American Federation of Teachers, two professional teacher unions. Class sizes and characteristics of students vary greatly. Preparation for working with students from diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, economic, and language backgrounds, and physical abilities is important.
All states require teachers in public schools to have at least a bachelor's degree.
Teacher education programs are usually coordinated with state requirements for certification. Generally, students are required to wait until their junior year of college to apply for admission to a teacher education program. Some schools do permit students to take education courses during their freshman year. For high school students, consulting with a guidance counselor is also helpful. It is likely that field and student teaching experiences will be in the local schools, providing an opportunity to assess and evaluate them in terms of your personal likes, dislikes, and goals.