Education in New Anglia

The responsibility for the **education system in New Anglia** is delegated to the federal government. The system is divided into four major groupings: preschool, primary, secondary, and post-secondary.

Schooling is compulsory in New Anglia between ages five and 16, which accounts for the entirety of primary school and the lower half of secondary school. Preschool, upper secondary, and post-secondary education are all optional. Primary school begins at age five and concludes at age twelve; lower secondary school begins at age twelve and concludes at age 16, while upper secondary school begins at age 16 and concludes at age 18. All public education is conducted in English.

Educational facilities can be publicly funded, while private and parochial schooling are also common. According to a 2012 survey, approximately 76.5% of New Anglian students attended a public school, while 12.9% attended a private school, 10.4% attended a parochial school, and 0.2% were homeschooled. Due to the separation of church and state, public schooling cannot have any religious affiliations, although private institutions can.

## Levels

The New Anglian education system is divided into four levels: preschool, primary, secondary, and post-secondary, while secondary is further subdivided into lower secondary and upper secondary.

### Preschool

Preschool is the first level of education in New Anglia. Preschool is non-compulsory, but it is often a child's first experience in a classroom setting away from their parents, so most parents opt to enroll their children in a preschool. Preschool serves several purposes in New Anglian society: preparing children for primary school, allowing parents to return to their careers from parental leave, and instructing children in reading and writing the English language. Preschool is free for all tax-paying residents of New Anglia, as tuition is covered through taxation. Most neighborhoods have at least one local preschool, while more highly populated neighborhoods often have several. Children typically attend the preschool that is located closest to their home; if a preschool reaches their maximum capacity, priority goes to the children of students and single parents, children with disabilities, and returning students; after this, children are enrolled via a lottery. Children who cannot attend the preschool closest to them due to overcrowding are given priority in enrolling at the next closest preschool. Private preschools also exist, which charge tuition fees and can determine enrollment at their own discretion.

Children are first eligible to enroll in preschool at age two, although most typically begin at age three, which is when the three-year paid parental leave for two-parent families ends. In most preschools, children are grouped together by age; typically the three age groupings are 2–3, 3–4, and 4–5, but some preschools in less populated areas group all children together. All preschools are coeducational. In preschool, emphasis is placed on learning through playing, and preschools are staffed with early childhood education teachers and early childhood education assistant teachers. Subjects taught at preschools are typically solely related to learning how to read and write, with some basic mathematics as well; other activities at preschools are most often related to art and music, with additional time for recreational activities. Children will typically graduate from preschool in the spring of the year they turn five, regardless of how many years they have attended preschool. There are no graduation requirements when it comes to preschool, as long as children are of the right age and have developed some skills in reading and writing.

### Primary school

Primary school is the second level of education in New Anglia, and the first that is compulsory. Primary school is entirely free for tax-payers, with tuition being covered in taxation. Students automatically receive the right to attend primary school in the area that they live, so the burden is placed on schools for accommodating all students in the area, instead of being placed on the families like in preschool. While primary school is compulsory, it is required that parents register their students for primary school; the government mails information on how to register to the homes of families with children turning five years old ahead of the school year. Private primary schools also exist, but are very often parochial schools. Private primary schools that are not church-run are normally combined with secondary schools.

Primary school begins with kindergarten at age five, which is largely a continuation of preschool that allows students to adapt to their primary school building. Kindergartens are also taught by early childhood education teachers, where more academic subjects such as science, mathematics, and history become introduced to students for the first time. Students remain with their teacher for the whole school day, but have speciality teachers in subjects such as art, music, technology, and physical education. Oftentimes, kindergartens are housed in a separate wing of the primary school away from other grade levels. After completing kindergarten, students advance to the first grade. After reaching first grade, students have one teacher who instructs them in all the major subjects: English, mathematics, science, history, and social studies. Their teacher advances with them each year throughout primary school, thus remaining their core teacher for the remainder of their primary school career. Additionally, students also have the same classmates for the rest of their primary school career, although their classmates may be different from those of their kindergarten class. Teachers at the primary level after kindergarten are certified primary education teachers. In addition to their core teacher, students also have speciality teachers for a number of classes such as art, music, technology, physical education, foreign language, health, and home economics. Foreign language (most often Spanish, but sometimes French for schools located close to the Canadian border) is introduced in third grade, while health and home economics are introduced in fifth grade.

Students begin receiving assessments for the first time in primary school. Until third grade, teachers are at liberty to determine how they wish to assess their students. After reaching third grade, students sit for the New Anglian Primary Education Standards Exams (NAPESE) each year. The NAPESE exams are given to students in English and mathematics, although passing the exams is not required to advance to the next grade level. Students who fail the exams are flagged for the ensuing school year, and are required to attend weekly specialized tutoring with a different educator to help them get caught up to the grade level standards. These educators are also certified primary education teachers, but typically have special certifications in special education. Report cards are also issued to students for the first time in primary school. Students can receive one of three grades on their report cards in each subject: a checkmark for exceeding expectations, a dot for reaching expectations, or a dash for failing to reach expectations. In primary school, report cards are intended to merely indicate how a student is performing in school to their parents, and have no implications on whether they can advance to the following grade level. After completing sixth grade, typically at age 12, students graduate from primary school and advance to secondary school.

### Secondary school

Secondary school is the third level of education in New Anglia, and is typically subdivided into lower secondary school and upper secondary school. Lower secondary is the final component of compulsory education, while upper secondary is non-compulsory. While the two subdivisions are both considered part of secondary school, they are quite different and sometimes not even housed in the same school buildings.

Private and parochial secondary schools both exist and are relatively common. In 2012, approximately 67.5% of New Anglian secondary school students were enrolled in a public school, while 16.7% were enrolled in a private school, 15.7% in a parochial school, and 0.1% were homeschooled. Teachers in secondary schools are certified secondary school teachers with a specialization in a specific subject that they are certified to teach.

#### Lower secondary

Lower secondary school is the first component of secondary education, and the final compulsory component of education in New Anglia. Lower secondary school is entirely free for tax-payers, with tuition being covered in taxation. As with primary school, students automatically receive the right to attend lower secondary school in the area that they live, so the burden is placed on schools for accommodating all students in the area.

Lower secondary school begins with seventh grade at age twelve. This is the first time where students have different teachers, classrooms, and classmates for each subject. Each student must take the same five core classes each year: English, mathematics, science, history, and social studies, however, the focus of each of these core classes changes.

The following table showcases which classes within the core subjects students take each year:

 8th
 9th
 10th

In addition to the five core subjects, students also must take other courses that are either not required every year or may be taken as electives: these courses include physical education, art, music, foreign language, technology, home economics, and business studies. Art and technology must be taken in seventh and ninth grade, while music and home economics must be taken in eighth and tenth grade. Physical education and foreign language must be taken in seventh, eighth, and ninth grade, and business studies must be taken in tenth grade. Any of these courses can be taken as electives in years where they are not required, while schools also offer a number of other elective courses that students can choose from any year.

Lower secondary school is the first time where a student's grades and report cards do make a difference. Each school year is separated into four quarters, and students receive a grade in each class for each quarter; schools use letter grades including A, B, C, D, and F; each letter except for F can be altered with a plus or minus to more specifically denote the student's level. An A denotes above average performance, a B denotes average performance, a C denotes below average performance, a D denotes significantly below average performance, and an F denotes a failure. If a student receives an F for at least two quarters, then they fail the class, and oftentimes must repeat the class during summer school or the following school year. In addition to the quarterly grades, students receive one final grade at the end of the year, which is typically an average of their quarterly grades for the class.

A student's grades are typically subject to their teacher's discretion apart from the New Anglian Performance Exams (NAPE). The NAPE exams are administered to students in each grade in a variety of subjects. In seventh grade, students must sit for exams in algebra and earth science; in eighth grade, students must sit for exams in English writing, geometry, biology, and world history; in ninth grade, students must sit for exams in trigonometry and chemistry; in tenth grade, students must sit for exams in English literature, statistics, physics, New Anglian history, and politics *or* economics. Students do not have to pass the exams, but their exam scores typically make up the bulk of their fourth quarter grade in the classes that they sat for exams. Due to this, it is possible that failing a NAPE exam may cause a student to fail one of their classes, which would result in them either attending summer school or retaking the class the following year and limiting the amount of space they have for electives. In order to account for individual ability, students may be placed in an advanced level class for subjects they are especially strong in; on the other hand, students may also be placed in extra help classes for subjects that they struggle in.

Students graduate from lower secondary school after completing tenth grade, typically at age 16. Afterwards, they move on to upper secondary school. As lower secondary school is the final component of compulsory education, students no longer need to enroll in school after graduating, and may begin working full-time if they decide to.

#### Upper secondary

Upper secondary school is the final component of secondary education. It is non-compulsory, although most students do opt to attend due to the minimal career opportunities there are for individuals without an upper secondary school diploma. As of 2019, approximately 85.7% of New Anglians have completed upper secondary school, with the number increasing to 91.7% when looking at only individuals born after 1990. Upper secondary school is entirely free for tax-payers, with tuition being covered in taxation. Unlike lower secondary school, upper secondary school is diverse as to where and what students may study.

There are two tracks that students may choose to study in upper secondary school: the academic track or the technical track. Students who choose the academic track prepare themselves for post-secondary education, while those who choose the technical track prepare themselves to work after graduating. In 2019, 58.5% of upper secondary school students were on the academic track, while 41.5% were on the technical track. Most private schools do not offer technical tracks, while parochial schools often do. Nearly all secondary schools are composed of a lower secondary division and an upper secondary division for the academic track; upper secondary students are typically housed in a separate wing of the building. Because of this, many students on the academic track end up attending upper secondary school at the same secondary school that they completed their lower secondary schooling. Additionally, there are also a number of standalone upper secondary schools for the academic track, mainly in large cities. These schools are often considered elite and exclusive, and require prospective students to send in applications that include their lower secondary school grades. The technical track is most often offered in standalone upper secondary schools for the technical track, but do not require applications and virtually have open-admissions. Some larger secondary schools have both a technical and academic track for upper secondary school, although this is more rare and mainly reserved for secondary schools in large cities.

In the academic track, students choose to enroll in any combination of two-year courses that they would like. As students on this track are preparing to attend post-secondary school, they should have an idea of what they want to receive their bachelor's degree in, as many undergraduate programs have certain requirements as to what upper secondary courses students must have completed. Students can enroll in a minimum of three of these two-year courses, and a maximum of six, although five is the average. The courses offered depend on the school itself, but a wide range is available, ranging from courses such as New Anglian history to chemistry to politics to media studies to fashion design. In twelfth grade, at the end of their two-year program of study, students take the New Anglian General Education Exam (NAGEE) for each of their courses. These final exam grades are what students use while applying to bachelor's degree programs. If they fail their final exam, then they receive no credit for the course. For the entirety of the first quarter of eleventh grade, students can switch the courses they are enrolled in, but following the conclusion of that first quarter they are no longer allowed to switch. The grading system on the academic track is identical to that in lower secondary school, with students receiving a letter grade each quarter from their instructors.

In the technical track, students must select one specific vocational training program that they wish to enroll in. Programs may differ based on the upper secondary school, and examples include cosmetology, plumbing, teaching assisting, and carpentry. For their first year of study, students study their vocational program under the tutelage of experts within the field. During the second year, they split their time between studying their craft and completing a paid apprenticeship. At the completion of their second year, students sit for their licensing exams, and upon passing can begin working in their chosen craft. As with the academic track, students can choose to switch between programs during only the first quarter of eleventh grade, after which they can no longer switch. Teachers in the technical track are typically not certified secondary education teachers, but are instead licensed workers within the program they are teaching. Unlike in lower secondary school, students on the technical track do not receive quarterly grades, but instead receive quarterly progress reports chronicling their progress. After graduating, these progress reports must be submitted to prospective employers while applying for a job until three years after the graduation.

## Post-secondary

Post-secondary education is the fourth and final level of education in New Anglia. It is non-compulsory, and is the most sparsely attended of the four levels. Typically, post-secondary education is only attended by upper secondary school graduates who completed the academic track, although this is not necessarily mandated. Post-secondary education can be public or private, but cannot be parochial unless it is a school that solely teaches religious education such as a seminary; private post-secondary institutes can have religious affiliations, but cannot be church-run.

Post-secondary education consists of both undergraduate and graduate studies, and can be attended by anyone with an upper secondary school diploma, regardless of their age. Public post-secondary education is free apart from a small application fee, but private post-secondary education charges tuition fees. Additionally, all students must apply to school in order to attend, with rejections being quite common. Post-secondary education can be completed at universities, liberal arts colleges, and community colleges. Educators at post-secondary schools are professors, who are the most senior educators in New Anglia.

### University and liberal arts college

Universities and liberal arts colleges are two kinds of post-secondary education institutes that exist in New Anglia, and are the two kinds of institutions that award bachelor's degrees to undergraduate students.

#### University

Universities are the largest and most common post-secondary education institutes. They can be both private and public, but cannot be parochial. Educational institutes can receive the title of university only through a special decree by the Parliament of New Anglia. As in other countries, universities are large institutions that are the centers of academic research. They typically offer a number of areas of study, and are subdivided into a number of colleges or schools. In universities, class sizes are often large and lecture-based, consisting of hundreds of students, several professor assistants (PAs), and a professor.

Admissions to universities are often the most competitive, with the most exclusive post-secondary institutions in New Anglia all being universities. Halfway through twelfth grade, students submit their applications. While applying to universities, students submit the grades that they have received thus far in their courses, their predicted NAGEE exams scores based on a calculation of their current grades, and any supplemental essays, recommendations, auditions, or portfolios that their desired school or college may require. While applying to universities, students apply to specific schools or colleges within the university, and choose their program of study within the school or college after acceptance. Because of this, a student can be rejected from one school or college but accepted to another within the same university. They typically receive their acceptance letters in the spring of twelfth grade, but acceptances can be rescinded if the student's actual NAGEE exams scores do not match their predicted scores.

Each program of study in a university has certain upper secondary requirements that students must have completed prior to beginning university. These requirements are often broad, such as any student wishing to study a STEM field having to have studied a mathematics course and natural sciences course in upper secondary school. Students cannot pursue programs if they have not completed the required upper secondary courses; however, they are also able to complete these requirements after upper secondary school at a community college, if they wish. Universities award bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees. They are also the only institutions that offer graduate programs.

#### Liberal arts college

Liberal arts colleges are another kind of post-secondary education institute. Most often liberal arts colleges are private, although public liberal arts colleges also exist, albeit are more rare. Unlike universities, liberal arts colleges receive no designation from parliament, and do not conduct academic research. These institutions are often smaller, sometimes being no larger than a secondary school. They additionally are not subdivided into schools or colleges like universities are, and only offer bachelor's degrees in the arts and sciences. In liberal arts colleges, class sizes are often small and discussion-based, normally consisting of about 20 students and a professor. Until the mid-20th century, many private universities were male-only, so they opened women's liberal arts colleges to function as "sister schools." By the 21st century, most of these sister schools have since been absorbed into the main university as private universities began to become coeducational, or have since separated from the university entirely as independent coeducational liberal arts colleges. The only one that still remains is Barnard College, a women's liberal arts college that is affiliated with the coeducational Columbia University. However, many other liberal arts colleges still exist that admit only women.

Admissions to liberal arts colleges function almost identically to that of universities. Halfway through twelfth grade, students submit their applications. While applying to liberal arts colleges, students submit the grades that they have received thus far in their courses, their predicted NAGEE exams scores based on a calculation of their current grades, and any supplemental essays or recommendations that their desired program may require. However, as liberal arts colleges are not subdivided into schools or colleges, students instead apply to their desired program of study. They can only choose one to apply to but are able to switch their program after acceptance, so it is recommended students apply to programs of study that they know they will be accepted into, as they can always change it later. Students typically receive their acceptance letters in the spring of twelfth grade, but acceptances can be rescinded if the student's actual NAGEE exams scores do not match their predicted scores.

Each program of study in a liberal arts college has certain upper secondary requirements that students must have completed prior to beginning college. These requirements are often broad, such as any student wishing to study a STEM field having to have studied a mathematics course and natural sciences course in upper secondary school. Students cannot pursue programs if they have not completed the required upper secondary courses; however, they are also able to complete these requirements after upper secondary school at a community college, if they wish. Liberal arts colleges award only bachelor's degrees, and do not have any graduate programs.

#### Student life

Student life at universities and liberal arts colleges is typically a major aspect of attending post-secondary school. It is traditional for first-year students to live in student dormitories, which for many students is their first experience living away from home. All universities and liberal arts colleges offer student housing and dormitories, and it is considered to be a rite of passage for students to live there for their first year of studies. Some students opt to remain in dormitories for their subsequent years of studies, while others opt to either return home and commute or find their own apartment to reside in.

Universities and liberal arts colleges also offer a number of student clubs and associations to join during their studies, including student government. Greek life is a controversial element of New Anglian post-secondary school that also exists throughout other parts of the former United States. Greek life consists of fraternities (for men) and sororities (for women) that are housed at universities and liberal arts colleges. They function as social clubs, but are typically best known for throwing wild parties and engaging in sometimes dangerous hazing practices.

#### Finance

Public universities and liberal arts colleges are tuition-free apart from a mandatory registration fee of around $500, which can be waived for low-income students. Student housing is also cost-free at public schools. Students must also purchase their own textbooks and classroom materials, which sometimes can cost up to $1,000 a semester. For students who are unable to afford these costs, universities can provide them with a fee waiver.

At private universities and liberal arts colleges, costs can be exponential. Tuitions range between $25,000 a year and $80,000 a year, with the more elite schools also being the more expensive. Many private secondary schools also have similarly high tuition rates, but private schooling is not nearly as common in secondary school as it is in post-secondary schooling. Student housing at these schools also often costs an additional $10,000 to $20,000 per year, in addition to the cost of textbooks and classroom materials. Due to this cost, attending elite post-secondary education is sometimes unattainable for lower-income students. Schools all offer scholarships based on financial need and merit and also offer work-study programs, but these cannot be offered to all students who need them. As most elite universities are private, there is often a socioeconomic class gap at elite post-secondary institutions, where most students come from the highest socioeconomic class in the country.

### Community college

Community colleges are another kind of post-secondary education institute. All community colleges are public, with private community colleges being banned by law. Community colleges receive no designations from parliament, but are entirely government-run, much like secondary or primary schools are. Community colleges serve several purposes: allowing students to attend post-secondary schooling if they were rejected from all universities and liberal arts colleges they applied to, giving adults the opportunity to complete continuing education courses, allowing individuals to study courses without being on a degree program, and giving students the opportunity to study courses that qualify them for various programs of study at universities or liberal arts colleges. Because of this, community colleges are all tuition-free and have open-admissions. However, the quality of education at community colleges is often much lower than at universities and liberal arts colleges.

Admissions to community colleges is entirely open, and applicants cannot be rejected. Students can submit applications for the ensuing academic term at any point in the school year, and later sign up for their desired courses. While applying, students can also opt to begin a degree program, although this is optional and students are able to just take various courses without working towards a degree. Community colleges are unique in that they do not require any certain upper secondary courses to begin or study their degree programs. Because of this, students may enroll in community colleges for either one or two semesters in order to complete requirements for beginning their desired program of study at a university or liberal arts college. Additionally, community colleges offer technical programs for graduates of the technical track of upper secondary school to further hone their craft and receive other certifications. Community colleges award only two-year associate's degrees, and do not have any bachelor's or graduate programs. It is common for students to receive their associate's degrees at a community college, and then enroll in either a university or liberal arts college to receive their bachelor's degree two years later.

## Private and parochial schools

Private and parochial schooling is legal in New Anglia. The locations as to where these schools are often located differ greatly. Most often, private schools are located in affluent areas, and attract wealthy students. On the other hand, parochial schools are often located in disadvantaged neighborhoods, and attract lower-income students who study on church scholarships, although this is not always the case and many parochial schools often attract wealthy and middle-class students as well. Most parochial schools are run by the Catholic Church, but admit students of any religious background.

As they are independent schools, private and parochial schools have considerable freedom when it comes to how they wish to organize their school, although they are still required to adhere to the national curriculum and standardized exams. Educators at private and parochial schools also are required to adhere to the national licensing and certification regulations; most educators in private and parochial schools receive lower pay than in public schools, so the teachers tend to be either retirees or teachers beginning their careers. Most private schools in New Anglia are designated as K–12 or PK–12 preparatory schools, housing each level in a separate school building. As they are preparatory schools, the main purpose of these schools is to prepare students for post-secondary education; because of this, they often do not offer the technical track of upper secondary school. In this context, PK refers to "pre-kindergarten," which is the final year of preschool prior to students beginning primary school. While students can enroll at the school beginning in any grade level, many students end up attending these schools for nearly their entire school careers. There are also private 7–12 schools, although these are not as common. Parochial schools are very rarely K–12 or PK–12, instead most often being separate K–6 primary schools or 7–12 secondary schools. There are also parochial 11–12 schools that offer solely the technical track. It is also common for parochial schools to be gender segregated, although most private preparatory schools are coeducational.

Homeschooling is legal under minimal circumstances in New Anglia, and is heavily regulated. Students can only be homeschooled if the student experiences health issues that prevent them from being in a classroom setting. If this is the case, students study an at-home online program that is taught by certified teachers who are licensed to teach the level and subject that the student is enrolled in. Homeschooled students receive weekly check-ins with their teachers, which is when exams are administered.

## Educators

There are several educational certifications that prospective teachers can receive in New Anglia. Each certification allows the individual to teach different age groups in different settings.

### Teaching assistants

Teaching assistants, or assistant teachers, are educators who are certified to assist certified teachers in their classrooms, but cannot teach on their own. Teaching assistants are typically employed in preschools and primary schools, where they assist the head teachers with organizing the classroom and helping students with their work. Early childhood education teaching assistants are thus who are specifically certified to work in preschools and kindergartens, while other teaching assistants are only able to work in classrooms teaching students from grades 1–6.

Most teaching assistants receive their licensing on the technical track of upper secondary schools. Most technical tracks at upper secondary schools have programs for teaching assisting and early childhood education teaching assisting. Following the completion of this two-year program and the passing of the certification exam, individuals are able to work in the position. For individuals who did not complete this technical track program, they can also receive certification through a two-year associate's degree program in teaching assisting at community colleges. They are typically the lowest-paid educators.

### Early childhood education teachers

Early childhood education teachers are certified to teach children aged 2–6. They are typically employed in preschools and kindergartens, where they are the head teachers of their classrooms. It is very common for early childhood education teachers to receive assistance from early childhood education teaching assistants. Early childhood education teachers are mainly tasked with teaching reading and writing the English language to young students, although some also introduce students to basic concepts within mathematics, history, and science.

In order to become an early childhood education teacher, individuals must receive a bachelor's degree in any subject – most often early childhood education or a similar field – and later a master's degree in early childhood education. During their master's program, students must spend one semester as a student teacher at a preschool or kindergarten, where they get hands-on experience working at a school. After graduating with their master's degree, they must pass a licensing exam, after which they may work as early childhood education teachers.

### Primary education teachers

Primary education teachers are certified to teach children aged 6–12. They are always employed in primary schools, where they are either the head teachers of their classrooms or specialized tutors. Many primary education teachers receive assistance from teaching assistants in their classrooms. Primary education teachers are tasked with teaching their students the five core subjects: English, mathematics, science, history, and social studies, so they must be competent in all five fields.

In order to become a primary education teacher, individuals must receive a bachelor's degree in any subject and later a master's degree in primary education. During their master's program, students must spend one semester as a student teacher at a primary school, where they get hands-on experience working at a school. After graduating with their master's degree, they must pass a licensing exam, after which they may work as primary education teachers.

### Secondary education teachers

Secondary education teachers are certified to teach adolescents aged 12–18. They are always employed in secondary schools, although they may teach lower secondary or upper secondary education. Secondary school teachers are each certified in one or more of the five core subjects: English, mathematics, science, history, and social studies. Within their chosen subjects, they may further specialize in specific topics, but they become certified to teach any class within their core subject.

In order to become a secondary education teacher, individuals must receive a bachelor's degree in any subject and later a master's degree in secondary education for one of the core five subjects. During their master's program, students must spend one semester as a student teacher at a secondary school, where they get hands-on experience working at a school. After graduating with their master's degree, they must pass a licensing exam for as many subjects as they wish to be certified in, after which they may work as secondary education teachers.

### Speciality teachers

Speciality teachers are certified to teach children of any age in certain speciality subjects. They are employed in preschools, primary schools, and secondary schools. These speciality subjects include things such as art, music, physical education, technology, and home economics, and are in general reserved for subjects that are not included as one of the core five subjects within New Anglian education.

In order to become a speciality teacher, individuals must receive a bachelor's degree in any subject – although it is typically related to the speciality subject they wish to teach – and a master's degree in education for their desired speciality subject. During their master's program, students must spend one semester as a student teacher at a preschool, primary school, or secondary school, where they get hands-on experience working at a school. After graduating with their master's degree, they must pass a licensing exam, after which they may work as speciality teachers. There are three separate licensing exams: preschool, primary, and secondary, and students must pass the specific exam for the level they wish to teach, or all three levels if they choose to do so. Not all speciality subjects offer all three exams, depending on which school levels the subject is taught.

### Professors

Professors are the most senior and respected educators in New Anglia, and can teach students in post-secondary education. They are employed in universities, liberal arts colleges, and community colleges. There are no certifications when it comes to professors. They teach only one specific subject, which is not necessarily one of the five core subjects, and even further specialize within certain topics within their chosen subject.

Being hired as a professor is normally at the discretion of the educational institution hiring. All professors are required to have received at the very least a bachelor's degree in the subject that they are teaching. Very often, for professors who teach courses such as visual arts, music performance, or drama, this is the sole qualification that they have. However, most often, especially in academic subjects, professors must have a doctoral degree and an extensive résumé of academic research that they have performed at a university or research institute. Most professors at universities split their time between teaching and researching, while professors at liberal arts colleges and community colleges focus solely on teaching.

#### Professor assistants

Students enrolled in doctoral programs who plan on becoming professors may apply to work as professor assistants (PAs) at the university they are enrolled in. PAs are doctoral students who assist a professor in teaching their courses; very often, this includes tutoring students, grading papers, and assisting in course organization. PAs are paid for their work, and often build up valuable relationships with prominent researchers within their field, which makes it an attractive job for doctoral students.