The Promises and Challenges of Emergency Teacher Licensure in Strengthening and Diversifying the Educator Workforce

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Six
  In Roundtable Session: Show Me the Honey: Consideration in Attracting Talent to Schools and Classrooms (Table 11)

Abstract

As school systems grapple with the long-term impact of COVID-19, one major concern is teacher recruitment and retention. With numerous states having implemented measures to prevent a pandemic-induced teacher shortage, this mixed methods study examines how one such policy, Massachusetts’ Emergency Teacher License, has potential to strengthen and diversify the teacher workforce. Through analyzing and triangulating state administrative data, surveys, and interviews, we find that emergency license holders were more racially diverse than traditional license holders, came from a variety of educator backgrounds, and wanted to stay in the teaching profession. Successes and challenges participants reported in obtaining licensure hold implications for how licensure policies can attract and retain racially diverse teachers and teachers from different professional pathways.

Authors

• Ariel Tichnor-Wagner, Boston University
  Presenting Author

• Andrew Bacher-Hicks, Boston University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Olivia Chi, Boston University
  Non-Presenting Author