Teacher Prep, Interrupted: Licensing Educators During Coronavirus
Experts discuss emergency waivers and their potential impact
This article originally appeared on the Education Writers Association website and is reprinted with permission.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of new teachers are licensed in the United States. With the shuttering of schools and colleges due to the coronavirus pandemic, states are using emergency waivers to certify teacher candidates who are unable to complete preparation requirements such as coursework, student teaching, and certification exams.
Along with these swift changes come new questions about the teacher workforce and what will happen to the educator pipeline in the midst of a public health emergency and economic recession.
This EWA webinar discusses a host of pressing questions. What types of rules for teacher licensure are being waived or modified? How long will the changes be in place? How are teacher prep programs adapting to distance learning? How have school and college closures impacted the preparation of aspiring educators? And ultimately, what are the implications for the quality of teaching in America’s schools? Two teacher certification experts and a local reporter engage in this important conversation.
Speakers:
- Peter Fishman, Vice President of Strategy, Deans for Impact
- Lynn Gangone, CEO and President, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
- Bracey Harris, staff writer, The Hechinger Report (moderator)
This webinar was presented on May 15, 2020.
Tags: assessment, clinical preparation, higher education, state policy
