casey (asker) Sep 27, 2006:

Thanks, everybody. I have never heard of a "second class" teacher, unless we're talking about insults. :) However, this term does appear to be used for the Japanese system.

Joe L Sep 27, 2006:

Know what, looks like a just shot from the hip again. In some states,
like Kansas, they do say 'certificate' in this case. So, nevermind.

Joe L Sep 27, 2006:

...but since I can't really come up with anything better myself than
"1st class, 2nd class", I suppose that's the best option. We're really
talking about the Japanese proclivity to hierarchize everything. Can't
think of same ranking sys. in US education.

Joe L Sep 27, 2006:

If I may be a little pedantic (pardon the pun) it's "Teaching credential" not "certificate",
at least stateside. Now, that link below, though written in native English, reads a little too calque-ish (to coin a word) to be completely reliable....

michiko tsum (X) Sep 27, 2006:

yuzourenさんのリンクにもありますが、確か、高等学校の教員免状は１級のみではなかったかと思います。原文のままに訳されることと思いますが、参考までに。