Revisiting U.S. vs. South Carolina (1978): The Birth of the Modern Teacher Licensure Exam

• In Event: Bridging Gaps: Innovative Assessments and Partnerships for Educational Equity and Improvement

Abstract

Many U.S. states use teacher licensure exams to certify teachers and, in some past cases, grade their salaries. However, the construction of these exams and the validation of their questions and cut-off scores are highly subjective processes and have been shown to gatekeep teachers of color out of the profession (Fenwick, 2022), contributing to the demographic divide (Banks, 2003). This study investigates the judicial precedent for the design of validation studies of teacher licensure exams, U.S. v. South Carolina (1978). Through a document analysis of the validation study presented by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and South Carolina, we reveal the case’s assumptions, critiques, and lasting impacts on the demographic divide.

Authors

• Kyle P. O'Brien, Indiana University

• Alexander Cuenca, Indiana University