As the next wave of Ohio State graduate students in education prepare for spring commencement, they must also prepare to be the first teachers affected by a new state regulation.

In 1998, Ohio passed a bill changing the requirements for its teachers, said Marilyn Braatz, spokeswoman for the Center for Teaching Profession. Under the new system, educators no longer receive life-long certificates to teach. Instead, they are given a license which must be renewed every five years until they retire.

“The new system is very much like getting a medical or law license,” she said.

John Nichelson, administrative officer of Educator Preparation, said once students enter the teaching profession they receive a two-year provisional license, during which they must complete the Praxis III evaluation. Throughout this time, state-approved assessors observe their teaching styles, ensuring they exhibit characteristics acquired during college.

“If they do not pass this assessment they must go back to their institutions to get some retooling,” Braatz said.

Once they complete the Praxis III, they are issued a professional license which must be renewed every five years. During each of these terms, teachers must complete nine quarter hours of work.

“This is what we call continued learning. This ensures teachers are consistently keeping up with new ideas,” Nichelson said.

The nine hours of work can be completed by taking classes or attending services decided by their individual school district.

Additionally, the state requires all teachers to acquire a master’s degree in education or its equivalent. Braatz said students have until the end of their second five-year license to receive their master’s.

Yolanda Kelly, assistant director of Academic Services, said OSU is different from many other colleges in Ohio because it offers a five-year program for students to earn both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Since OSU does not offer a bachelor’s in education for those seeking a license to teach early childhood development, middle and secondary schools, students interested in these fields must complete the five-year program before they can obtain their license.

“We feel this way is both efficient and cost-effective,” Kelly said.

However, many other colleges in Ohio, including the Lima campus of Ohio State and Capital University, offer a bachelor’s degree in education in these fields, viewing this option as a clear advantage.

“Pursuing the master’s with teaching experience, rather than prior to experiencing teaching, provides a rich base to probe more deeply into advance graduate work in education,” said Tobie Sanders, education department chairwoman at Capital University.

Kelly said she feels OSU’s program is highly respected, hearing nothing except praise from students involved.