The Battle Surges on... DCTF vs. PGCTF

DCTF: (from what I understand)

• DCPS is undergoing major reform with a lot of terminations involved. The system is quite disorganized and convoluted. Sometimes, pay checks are late and the teacher's union is unhelpful.
• The pay is worse and so are the schools.
• The minimum commitment is one year.
• Fellows pay $3,000 toward their certification through DC's Professional Teacher Practitioner Program.
• Housing is more expensive.
• DCTF seems very supportive - they hold Praxis workshops and help you navigate your way to your decision.
• (& I would have taught HSA biology here.)

PGCTF:

• PGCPS is a pretty good school system with far less problems than DCPS but they are also undergoing reform and are very, very test and assessment heavy.
• The pay is better and so are the schools (though not that much better).
• The minimum commitment is two years.
• Fellows pay $3,000 toward their certification through Maryland's Professional Teacher Practitioner Program; Special Ed. Fellows pay $5,000.
• Housing is slightly less expensive.
• PGCTF program coordinators are there for you: very responsive and helpful, which I love.
• (& I would have to teach math or biology in an inclusion setting so I would get Special Ed. certified - which I hear is a high need area.)

Both TF's:
Allow fellows to voluntarily pursue a Master's at American University after the first year (~twelve credits).