Elementary schools work hard to keep class sizes below 20 students for those teaching in Washington. In some of the larger population areas, such as Seattle, class sizes can be slightly higher depending upon enrollments. For the middle school and high school classes, the rule-of-thumb is to try to keep the teacher-to-student ratio at or below 25 students per teacher whenever circumstances will allow this to happen.
The Washington high schools graduate over 73% of their students through a traditional four year high school education plan. More students are graduating through the taking of alternative GED courses that result in an equivalent to a high school diploma. GED courses are preferred by some students because they can allow for a quicker way through traditional high school learning and into college.
Washington Teacher Requirements
For those thinking about choosing a new career of teaching in Washington State, this is probably a wise decision that will turn into a very enjoyable way of making a living. With our current unemployment rates high across the country, many are turning towards the employment options found in education as a way of adding job security into their lives.
For decades, the teaching industry has received bad press which has resulted in many states not being able to produce enough college graduates who are interested in trying the field of teaching as a career option. Washington and other states are experiencing current teacher shortages for mathematics, sciences, technology, bilingual functions, and within some special education or counseling areas.
In the future, those teaching in Washington can expect to see teacher shortages continue and perhaps higher perks offered to current teachers who would like to go get training in one of the shortage areas. Retirements are also a concern for Washington and many other states as many long-term teachers across the country are reaching retirement age over the next few years to leave more job vacancies to fill.
A possibility for the future that may be seen in Washington is an overhaul ordered for the American public education system from outside of the state. Recently, the president of the United States has been making claims that an overhaul is needed, and voicing various suggestions on how this might be accomplished. When presidents voice their opinions to the media, actions often follow the opinions being voiced. If an educational overhaul is ordered, all teachers in Washington may be in line to profit from the proposed changes.