Hundreds of North Carolina teachers are in danger of losing their jobs at the end of this month unless they can pass a licensure exam or state lawmakers take action to let them stay in the classroom.
Many teachers, especially those in elementary and special education, have been unable to pass a required math exam to get their teaching license. To try to prevent the teachers from losing their jobs, the state House last week unanimously approved a bill that would give them more time to pass the exam and allow districts to issue special teaching licenses to those who’ve failed the tests. The bill now returns to the Senate, which had overwhelmingly backed a previous version.
Because of how time sensitive the issue is, the bill also would give the state school board emergency powers to craft rules to carry out the legislation.
Before 2014, prospective teachers had to pass their licensing exams before they could start work. Teachers now can get an initial license and have two years to pass their licensing exams to get a continuing license.
