Retaining Our Most Effective Teachers Through Licensure

• In Event: 28.086 - Teaching. Learning. Leading. Models and Examples of Teacher Leaders Using Research to Impact Education Policy

Abstract

Currently in New Mexico, teachers work under a three-tiered licensure system that plays a critical role in determining teacher salaries. We conducted research that explores the connection between licensure and the retention of our most effective educators. Specifically, we sought to determine what changes could be made to the licensure system that would inspire our most effective teachers to stay and grow in the profession in New Mexico. Finally, our research created policy recommendations for the licensure system in New Mexico aligned to our findings.

New Mexico teachers currently work under a three-tiered licensure system that is tied to teacher salaries. Current requirements limit the level that teachers can attain, despite their level of effectiveness in the classroom. A highly-effective, experienced teacher who does not become credentialed for Level 3 is most likely earning a $1 per year raise. Without obtaining a master’s degree or becoming National Board Certified, this teacher is limited to a Level 2 license. If credentialed, the existing licensure system also allows for this teacher to become Level 3 certified in as little as six years. However, there is no opportunity for advancement beyond this point, unless the teacher chooses to leave the classroom and become an administrator.

As part of our research, we wanted to learn about teacher perspective related to the licensure system and the idea of creating additional pathways. We created a flash poll that was shared with teachers across New Mexico between November 17 and December 4, 2017 via email and social media. 1,003 current New Mexico teachers participated in the survey from across the state. We asked them two questions:

- Currently, New Mexico teachers can attain Level Three licensure by obtaining a graduate degree or National Board Certification. To what degree would you support or oppose creating an additional path to obtaining a Level Three license?
- To what degree would you support or oppose using a teacher’s years of service combined with a minimum evaluation rating, either overall or specific domain ratings, without having to obtain a master’s degree, as an additional route to reaching Level Three licensure?

We found that:
- 74 percent of educators who took our poll are supportive of an additional pathway from Level Two to Level Three.
- 64 percent of educators, Level One through Level Three, support the idea of years of service and teacher evaluations as an additional pathway to Level Three certification.
- 80 percent of Level two educators support the idea of years of service and teacher evaluations as an additional pathway to Level Three certification.

As a result of the flash poll data, we created three recommendations:
Recommendation 1: Create an additional pathway for teachers to advance from a Level Two licensure to a Level Three licensure.

Recommendation 2: Develop a pathway option that balances years of service with demonstrated classroom effectiveness.

Recommendation 3: Create an additional licensure level as an opportunity for advancement for the most effective Level Three teachers.

Author

• Ruth Gallegos