Addressing Teacher Shortages for English Learners: A Multidimensional Approach

• In Event: 31.072 - Issues Related to Professional Licensure and Certification

Abstract

With growing numbers of English learners (ELs) throughout the United States and a persistent achievement gap between ELs and native speakers of English, educators must be trained to meet the needs of this culturally and linguistically diverse population. However, the approaches to meeting this growing need vary widely, with little available research on how these different approaches impact student success. The current paper uses geospatial mapping to examine how states’ EL teacher certification requirements predict the academic success of English learners in those states. The results of this study suggest that state teacher certification requirements are related to student outcomes and the use of geospatial mapping improves the accessibility of available data to the general population and policy makers.

Authors

• Adrienne Johnson, Missouri Western State University

• Elizabeth Thorne Wallington, Missouri Western State University