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. Verify with the state department of higher education that the teacher education program has state approval and is accredited by a national or regional accrediting body. Every college or university has a financial aid office that can be contacted for assistance. For state assistance, contact the state scholarship agency in the capital city.