What accrediations do you need to teach in Oregon? Do they accept the Cbest and Cset?

Answer 1

To be honest with you, I'd avoid teaching in Oregon like the plague. Teach in Washington instead - southwest Washington (Vancouver) is right across the river from Portland, there's no state income tax, and the school districts are light years better than the mess that is Portland and the surrounding districts. The funding is constantly getting cut in Portland Public Schools, so the idea of coming in at the bottom of the food chain is extremely risky.

I moved up from California to Washington in 1995, and I had my preliminary teaching certificate from California. Both Oregon and Washington offer a certain amount of reciprocity with California - it was very easy to secure a Washington certificate. I believe that all I had to do was take a Pacific Northwest history course, which I did on extension through Seattle Pacific University.

I believe there are a few more hoops to jump through these days, but it's not terribly bad - a good friend of mine was just hired here in Vancouver from California, and it has been a relatively easy process for him to transfer his certification.

Try here: http://www.esd112.org/about/hr/index.html#certification

Again, sorry I can't endorse teaching in Oregon - I love Portland, it's probably my favorite city, but the politics there have screwed up what was once a really great school system, and other local districts aren't much better. Teaching in Washington, however, rocks.

Answer 2

Hi Irish-a couple things. I actually was writing you because I just read your response about living in Orange County and wondered why you chose to live there, since it obviously displeases you, but sounds like you are perhaps looking to move-Portland? What I wanted to ask you was about what you wrote regarding the air quality-you can go to the question I asked in (Travel/US-Other) to answer, as I wondered where some places had good air-is there a website you can recommend?
Now, in regards to your above question, I've lived in Washington State and they have sales tax, whereas Oregon doesn't-at least that's how it was years ago. I think they will honor the CBest too, but it all depends on how great their need for teachers is.