A question for CO Teacher mags...

**Griz** · 08-06-2007, 11:38 AM

Since the Colorado Department of Ed has been tremendously helpful in answering my questions...

Does a masters afford me any special licensing considerations when transfering my license to CO?

Thanks for any info.

**mtnbikerskierchick** · 08-06-2007, 12:28 PM

Nope. There are 2 licenses for teachers: 1) probationary, which I believe applies to teachers to have only been teaching 3 yrs or less and 2) professional- which applies to all other non-probationary teachers.

A master's affords you a few steps up on the payscale for whatever district you will be teaching in.

There is no tenure for teachers in CO. It is simply more difficult to fire a teacher with a Professional license than a Probationary license, but it's a lot easier to fire a teacher in CO than it would be if there was tenure.

When transferring your license, allow for a lot of extra time.... like 3+ months. They are really slow at it. I think you may need to take a test or two now as well, but I can never keep up with that as they seem to change it every couple of years. When I became a teacher here I had to take about 6 tests, then they narrowed it down to 1 or 2. At that time the tests were CO-only.

Hope that helps....

**P_McPoser** · 08-06-2007, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by mtnbikerskierchick

but it's a lot easier to fire a teacher in CO than it would be if there was tenure.

That must be nice. I hate tenure with a passion!

**Griz** · 08-06-2007, 04:13 PM

Thanks for the info MBSC. I'll just have to suck it up and take the PLACE test. I guess my BA in History, MA in eductation and Nebraska teaching license don't do much for proving that I'm competent in the classroom.

By the way, got any tips on the PLACE test? How the heck do I review all social sciences in the next month to pass this madre?

**flatlander#2** · 08-06-2007, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by Griz

Thanks for the info MBSC. I'll just have to suck it up and take the PLACE test. I guess my BA in History, MA in eductation and Nebraksa teaching license don't do much for proving that I'm competent in the classroom.

No, it doesn't actually.

What do you teach? Have a job lined up or an area in mind?

**Griz** · 08-06-2007, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by flatlander#2

No, it doesn't actually.

What do you teach? Have a job lined up or an area in mind?

Secondary social studies, but I'm starting a program to get a library endorsement. No jobs lined up... hoping for next fall. C. Springs area.

You teaching currently?

**flatlander#2** · 08-06-2007, 07:09 PM

me? oh hell no, I work in the booze industry, wife is an Administrator. She taught 7-8 social studies before she moved to bustin heads. She had a cohort that was middle school prin in Co Springs. Challenging community.

**mtnbikerskierchick** · 08-06-2007, 08:59 PM

I really don't have any advice for taking the PLACE. I think I bought some sort of review guide book when I took it for science (I teach science). Mostly, you just have to hope you know your stuff and that they ask the right questions. For me, they asked questions for things I was quite familiar with and I got lucky!

Wish I could be more help....