Certification & Licensing

Photograph of a diverse group of educators meeting in the hallway of an elementary school.
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Recruitment & Retention Q&A Schools Can't Find Enough Teachers. A New Federal Center Aims to Help
The U.S. Department of Education's research agency has launched a new center focused on improving teacher staffing and retention.
Sarah D. Sparks, October 1, 2024
6 min read
Classroom materials show the days of the week and months of the year in Spanish in a dual-language class at UCLA Community School.
Classroom materials show the days of the week and months of the year in Spanish in a dual-language class at UCLA Community School.
Allison Shelley/EDUimages
English Learners Why Teachers of English Learners With Disabilities Need Specialized Training
An expert discusses what comprehensive training works best for teachers working with students who are English learners with disabilities.
Ileana Najarro, June 25, 2024
3 min read
Photo of superintendent meeting with staff.
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States Superintendent Vacancies Are High. Is Loosening Requirements a Good Idea?
Wisconsin's governor, a former educator, vetoed a bill that would have waived licensure requirements for district leaders.
Evie Blad, April 22, 2024
3 min read
Female teacher reads to multi-cultural elementary school students sitting on floor in class at school
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Teacher Preparation What Will It Take to Align Teacher Prep to the Science of Reading? California Offers Clues
The Golden State is revamping credentials for teaching reading. But some advocates worry it won't go far enough.
Sarah Schwartz, January 23, 2024
7 min read
Multiracial group of adults at computers.
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Teacher Preparation Most Licensure Tests Are Weak Measures of Teachers' 'Science of Reading' Knowledge
Fewer than half of states use a strong test, according to a new analysis from the National Council on Teacher Quality.
Sarah Schwartz, November 7, 2023
6 min read
woman at a desk looking at her laptop and phone
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Teacher Preparation Teachers From Online-Only Prep Programs Hinder Student Achievement, Report Finds
They are also 2.5 times more likely to leave the profession than other teachers.
Alyson Klein, October 10, 2023
4 min read
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Teaching Profession The Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Is Now in Effect. Here’s What That Means
The agreement to remove licensing red tape when moving to another state is now live with 10 states on board.
Madeline Will, July 10, 2023
3 min read
Illustration of a 3D map with arrows going all over the states.
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Teaching Profession It Could Get a Whole Lot Easier to Teach in a Different State
The Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact would grant full licensing reciprocity to incoming teachers who move to a participating state.
Madeline Will, March 27, 2023
5 min read
Image of a teacher working with two elementary students.
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Recruitment & Retention States Are Making It Easier to Become Substitute Teachers
But some question whether that's a good idea.
Elizabeth Heubeck, February 9, 2023
5 min read
Educators delivering money.
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Education Funding What the Research Says Districts Are Spending More Per Student. Here's How to Make Sure All of Them Benefit
New studies suggest ways education leaders can make budgets bigger and more equitable.
Sarah D. Sparks, November 29, 2022
4 min read
Marchers wave flags as they walk at the St. Pete Pier during a rally and march to protest against a bill dubbed by opponents as the "Don't Say Gay" bill Saturday, March 12, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Florida lawmakers have passed the bill, which forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. It now moves to the desk of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is expected to sign it into law.
Marchers wave flags as they walk at the St. Pete Pier in March during a rally to protest against a bill forbidding instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in K-3 classrooms. That bill has since become law.
Martha Asencio-Rhine/Tampa Bay Times via AP
Teaching Profession With Their Licenses in Jeopardy, Florida Teachers Unsure How the 'Don't Say Gay' Law Will Be Applied
A new rule could strip teachers of their licenses if they run afoul of the law. Teachers want to know what that entails.
Ileana Najarro, October 27, 2022
4 min read
Special education teacher assisting a diverse group of elementary students in art class.
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Special Education States Are Desperate for Special Ed. Teachers. But They Can't Cut Corners to Get Them
The Education Department warns states not to lower standards, even as districts frantically search for skilled special educators.
Madeline Will, October 25, 2022
8 min read
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Recruitment & Retention 5 Strategies States Are Using to Fill Teacher Shortages
After months of scrambling, states have settled on a handful of practices. But experts say some could weaken the quality of teaching.
Madeline Will, October 17, 2022
6 min read
Marchers wave U.S. and rainbow flags and signs as they walk at the St. Pete Pier in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Saturday, March 12, 2022 during a rally and march to protest the controversial "Don't say gay" bill passed by Florida's Republican-led legislature and now on its way to Gov. Ron DeSantis' desk.
Marchers wave U.S. and rainbow flags as they walk at the St. Pete Pier in St. Petersburg, Fla., in March. They were protesting a controversial bill passed by the Florida legislature restricting discussion of LGBTQ issues in the elementary grades.
Martha Asencio-Rhine/Tampa Bay Times via AP
Teaching Profession Florida Teachers Could Lose Their Licenses Under New Rule Tied to 'Don't Say Gay' Law
A proposed rule could strip teachers' licenses if they teach about gender identity or sexuality to K-3 students.
Ileana Najarro, October 14, 2022
2 min read