I never understood why one needs Ed degree to teach math, physics and chemistry in schools.
A notion left over from the days when there were very few college graduates or even high school graduates. To improve the situation state governments established “Normal Schools”, which later evolved into “Teachers Colleges” which again later evolved into Colleges of Education in universities. All along the way they used their “connection to the children” sent up barriers of entry to the profession. If doctors and lawyers can have such barriers why can fellow “professionals” like teachers have them? All “trades”, “professions”, etc. evolve if they can toward having “barriers of entry”. The “teachers” often “seal the deal” by requiring state EA membership.
I could teach all the STEM at the K12 level (Biology might be a stretch! I always hated it!). I the demonstrate the knowledge. I am confident I could teach American History & much European & World History but that would be harder to prove to those that don’t know me.
However, the system,” as set up will not allow me to do so unless I “genuflect” toward the “educrat” establishment by taking some set of “Ed courses”.