Pros & Cons of working for an agency? (vs the school districts)

Since there are no jobs in the districts, Im checking out a few agencies also.
I personally think I'd love this because it seems to be more flexible hours. (Im sure depending on the assignment).

Things such as

Evaluations
Special Ed teacher in schools
SEIT.


What is the going pay rate?
what are advantages and disadvantages?

Although ANY work right now is wonderful !

But also long term, is it a big difference in pension/retirement

Re: Pros & Cons of working for an agency? (vs the school districts)

I have done both fulltime. I still do both, but am in a school part time and work for a few agencies on the side. Pros for working in a school: benefits are wonderful (pension, medical etc), you have a collegial atmosphere Cons - not flexible hours, beurocracy (sp?)
Pros for working in an agency - set your own hours, ownership over cases Cons- especially if you don't work full time if a case cancels, you don't get paid, you kinda are left alone in the field and it can be very lonely, if you work full time, you can be all over the place and go into some bad areas( I have been into many projects in Brooklyn/Queens), scheduling is a PITA!!!!

Payrate depends on agency, area (city makes more), and what you do (ie EI/CPSE/CSE, ABA, regular SEIT)

I felt that having a pension was important in my future. Its all a personal opinion.

As for evals, those aren't always the easiest to come by. I have been doing evals for years. Every one of my agencies has copies of my evals and I only get calls by one or two agencies. (I work for several). Usually the agencies have full time personnel for that and that is more of a cushy job so a lot of people like that.

Hope this helps. If you need any more info feel free to ask!