California schools superintendent talks about challenges with teacher recruitment

Updated: 2:04 PM PDT Aug 14, 2023

AFTERNOON. ALSO HAPPENING TODAY, CALIFORNIA SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION TONY THURMAN WILL HOST A TEACHER RECRUITING SUMMIT, ALL IN SUPPORT OF THE LAUNCH OF A STATEWIDE EFFORT TO GET MORE TEACHERS IN STATE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND HE JOINS US THIS MORNING TO TALK MORE ABOUT THIS PLAN TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN TEACHERS. GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US. THANK YOU. TELL ME WHY THIS IS SO IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW, THIS RECRUITING AND RETAINING THESE TEACHERS. YOU KNOW, THE NATION IS EXPERIENCING A TEACHER SHORTAGE. AND SO WE WERE OUT THERE OFFERING PROGRAMS TO GET MORE TEACHERS IN CALIFORNIA. WE DO OFFER A $20,000 SCHOLARSHIP FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO GET A TEACHING CREDENTIAL. WE HAVE OTHER INCENTIVES FOR SOMEONE TO GET INTO A TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM, AND WE GOT TO WORK ON INCREASING THE PAY FOR OUR TEACHERS. AND WE’RE DOING SOME WORK IN THAT AREA AS WELL. SO TALK MORE ABOUT THE PLAN. THERE’S AN EVENT TODAY. WHAT CAN POTENTIAL TEACHERS EXPECT? YEAH, YOU KNOW, THIS SUMMIT IS REALLY TO PULL GROUPS TOGETHER THAT WORK ON TEACHER RECRUITMENT. YOU KNOW, THE OLD CONCEPT, WE CAN DO MORE TOGETHER. AND SO CALIFORNIA NEEDS THOUSANDS OF TEACHERS. AND SO WE’RE BRINGING TOGETHER ORGANIZATIONS TO, ONE, COMMIT TO RECRUITING STATEWIDE TEACHERS IN A COALITION AND TO TALK THROUGH SOME OF THE REALLY COMPLICATED ISSUES, LIKE HOW DO YOU ALLOW RETIRED TEACHERS TO COME BACK AS SUBSTITUTES, WHICH IS A CRITICAL NEED, BUT MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN DO SO WITHOUT HAVING A NEGATIVE IMPACT TO THE PENSION THAT THEY’VE EARNED? AND SO WE’RE WORKING ON STRATEGIES LIKE THAT. WE’RE WORKING ON HOW MILITARY PERSONNEL WHO ARE STATIONED IN CALIFORNIA, IF THEY HAVE A PARTNER OR A SPOUSE WHO HAS A TEACHING BACKGROUND, AND WE WANT TO MAKE THAT AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR RECRUITMENT STRATEGY. SO SO WE’RE LOOKING AT ALL ASPECTS OF HOW TO BRING MORE TEACHERS INTO OUR CLASSROOMS, YOU KNOW, INTO THAT POINT, I MEAN, THERE IS A QUESTION ABOUT HOW DO YOU RECRUIT MORE TEACHERS AND WHERE DO YOU RECRUIT THEM? I MEAN, I REMEMBER YEARS AGO, YOU KNOW, TEACHING WAS FOR MANY, YOU KNOW, GROUPS. THAT WAS THE PROFESSION THAT, YOU KNOW, THEIR DAUGHTERS WERE TOLD TO GO INTO, GO BE A TEACHER. IT WAS A PROFESSION THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, SOUGHT AFTER AND WANTED TO DO. THAT’S RIGHT. I DON’T HEAR ABOUT THAT AS MUCH. SO HOW DO YOU CHANGE THAT NARRATIVE AND GET PEOPLE TO WANT TO BE IN THE CLASSROOM? THANKS FOR SAYING THAT. WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE, YOU KNOW, IT’S A HARD JOB. AND I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE ALL OF OUR TEACHERS, OUR CLASSIFIED STAFF, ALL THOSE WHO WORK WITH OUR KIDS. IT IS A PROFESSION, AS YOU SAID, AND IT’S AN IMPORTANT PROFESSION AND IT PREPARES US ALL FOR GREAT FUTURES. AND WE HAVE TO WORK ON WORKING CONDITIONS FOR THOSE WHO ARE WORKING WITH OUR STUDENTS. AND WE HAVE A GREAT WAY TO HELP TEACHERS Boost THEIR PAY RIGHT NOW IF THEY GET A WHAT’S CALLED A NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION IN CALIFORNIA, IF YOU GET THAT CERTIFICATION, IT’S A RIGOROUS PROGRAM THAT HELPS YOU TO BE A BETTER TEACHER. YOU GET $5,000 A YEAR EVERY YEAR. FOR FIVE YEARS. IF YOU GET THAT CERTIFICATION, BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO BRING UP PAY BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THAT’S A BIG, YOU KNOW, A BIG QUESTION. I THINK DURING THE PANDEMIC, PARENTS WERE LIKE, TEACHERS AREN’T PAID NEARLY ENOUGH. ABSOLUTELY. WHAT THEY DO. THAT’S RIGHT. HOW DO WE GO ABOUT EVEN INCREASING THAT EVEN MORE? I WANT TO THANK OUR FRIENDS AT THE CALIFORNIA FEDERATION OF TEACHERS. THEY HAVE A GREAT BILL. AB 938 THAT WOULD INCREASE TEACHER PAY AND SCHOOL DISTRICT STAFF PAY BY AS MUCH AS 50%. THAT BILL IS BEING HEARD IN THE LEGISLATURE. WE’RE SUPPORTING IT. YOU KNOW, WE NEED PERMANENT REVENUE IN OUR STATE TO HELP INCREASE PAY. BUT AS YOU POINT OUT, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE COMPARISON OF WHAT TEACHERS MAKE COMPARED TO OTHER PROFESSIONS, IT’S VERY LOW AND WE HAVE TO SHOW OUR EDUCATORS THAT WE VALUE THEM. THEY ALWAYS SAY, YOU SHOW YOUR VALUE BY WHAT YOU PUT IN YOUR BUDGET. AND SO WE’VE GOT TO FIND A WAY TO PROVIDE MORE FOR TEACHERS AND CLASSIFIED STAFF AND ALL THOSE WHO WORK WITH OUR KIDS. WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE THIS MORNING. AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING, WE DO WANT TO PUT A FULL SCREEN UP NOW. THE SUMMIT WILL BE HELD FROM 11 TO 1 TODAY. IT’S HAPPENING AT THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. MAKE SURE YOU GO CHECK IT OUT. AND OF COURSE, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BEING A TEACHER, YOU CAN FOR SURE BE UTILIZED IN CLASSROOMS ACROSS THE STATE

California schools superintendent talks about challenges with teacher recruitment

Updated: 2:04 PM PDT Aug 14, 2023

California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond will host a teacher recruitment summit Monday in support of the launch of a statewide effort to get more teachers in state public schools. He joined KCRA 3 to talk more about the plan to recruit and retain teachers. The summit is being held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the California Department of Education. He said that the nation is experiencing a teacher shortage, so California is offering a $20,000 scholarship for people who want to get a teaching credential and other incentives. “And we gotta work on increasing the pay for our teachers,” he said. He said California needs thousands of teachers, and the summit is designed to get groups together that work on recruitment. Among the issues that need to be addressed is how to allow retired teachers to come back as substitutes but in a way that doesn’t have a negative impact on their pensions. See the full interview in the player above.| National News Below | Nestle chocolate chip cookie dough recalled for wood fragments

California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond will host a teacher recruitment summit Monday in support of the launch of a statewide effort to get more teachers in state public schools.

He joined KCRA 3 to talk more about the plan to recruit and retain teachers. The summit is being held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the California Department of Education.

He said that the nation is experiencing a teacher shortage, so California is offering a $20,000 scholarship for people who want to get a teaching credential and other incentives.

“And we gotta work on increasing the pay for our teachers,” he said.

He said California needs thousands of teachers, and the summit is designed to get groups together that work on recruitment.

Among the issues that need to be addressed is how to allow retired teachers to come back as substitutes but in a way that doesn’t have a negative impact on their pensions.

See the full interview in the player above.

| National News Below | Nestle chocolate chip cookie dough recalled for wood fragments

A state grant program that helps classified school employees — generally classroom aides, food service workers and clerical staff — to earn a teaching credential has added 800 new teachers to California classrooms over the last five years, according to a report to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

The California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program offers competitive grants to school districts to pay tuition, fees and other costs for employees who want to complete a bachelor’s degree and a teaching credential.

While in the program, staff members continue working for the district before transitioning to jobs as entry-level teachers. The program has offered 2,260 potential teachers a spot in the program in two separate rounds of grants.

The state budget allocated $20 million for the first round of grants in 2016 and $25 million for the second round in 2017. The 2021-22 state budget the Legislature approved this week includes $125 million for the program.

The California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program was started as part of an ongoing effort to address a teacher shortage that has left many classrooms without a fully credentialed educator. Finding teachers, especially those teaching science, math, special education and English language learners, has become a daunting challenge, particularly for school districts in areas with high housing and other costs.

Prospective teachers must have completed at least two years of college to be eligible for the program. They have five years to complete it.

The program pays school districts $4,000 annually for each participant, with most of the money to be spent on tuition, books and other education costs. Districts can use some of the money to administer the program.

The report on the program, prepared for the commission by Shasta College, found that the program had successfully met the objectives of legislators, but also included a long list of recommendations that included giving more guidance to school districts and participants about the program’s rules, procedures and allowable expenses.

The report found disparities in the amount school districts spent to manage the program and the amount that went to program participants. It recommended there be a limit to management costs to ensure teacher candidates across the state are given similar amounts. It also recommended that plans be put in place to assist participants in finding preservice placements and teaching positions.

Teacher Certification

UAB will only recommend students for certification if they have successfully completed a State-approved teacher education program and other University requirements. Each student is responsible for submitting a completed certification packet to the Office of Student Services during the semester they intend to finish their approved program. A student who does not apply for their Professional Educator Certificate within five years (60 months) after completing a state-approved program may be required to fulfill additional requirements (i.e., testing and/or coursework).

The Office of Student Services will verify that each student meets all degree and certification requirements after graduation and submit completed certification packets to the Alabama State Department of Education.

Timeline

When to Apply

The best time to apply for your Professional Educator certificate is during your last term of enrollment. This timeline will ensure that your paperwork will be submitted to the Alabama State Department of Education(ALSDE) on time.

Deadlines

Completed certification application packets are processed and mailed to the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE)in the order they are received.

Recertification of an Alabama Teaching Certificate

Please call the Alabama State Department of Education at 334-694-4557.

The level of courses you take (300, 400, 500, 600, etc.) will be dependent on your last certification, so communicating with one of our program directors is essential.

Important: You are responsible for sending the needed documentation to the state to complete the recertification process.

Evidence of appropriate major, minor, license, registry, apprenticeship or Michigan Occupational Competency Assessment Center completed in the requested CIP code field. This requirement must also match the work experience and is in addition to the required Workforce Education and Development course work. Official copies of all verifying documents must be on file at the university (transcripts) or in the certification office (other documents). Candidates for the Education General (Teacher Cadet) CIP 13.0000 certification will meet this requirement with their active elementary or secondary continuing teaching certificate, professional teaching certificate, or standard teaching certificate.

Drexel offers a number of education certification and degree programs that prepare students for formal teacher certification. Once a student has successfully completed their undegraduate course of study and all qualifying teacher certification exams required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), Drexel recommends the student to the PDE for the appropriate teaching certificate.

Teaching Certification GPA Requirements

The School of Education requires that students maintain at least a "B" average (3.0 GPA) in content courses needed for teacher certification in addition to earning a grade of "B" or better in each core pedagogy course required for certification.

Pennsylvania Teacher Certification Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to obtain and submit updated and current copies of the required clearances to the School of Education annually in order to participate in classroom observations and student teaching in Pennsylvania. All full-time undergraduates will receive assistance in gaining these clearances during their first term. Non-PA students should contact their state's department of education or school district office for a list of clearances required in their state.

Teacher Certification Process

Instructional I Certification

This initial certification qualifies a teacher to teach for a maximum of six years. The six years need not be continuous. To continue teaching after the six years are completed, the teacher must receive an Instructional II Certification.

Instructional II Certification

The Instructional II Certification is considered a permanent certification. A teacher applying for Instructional II Certification must have:

• Instructional I Certification
• A minimum of three years and a maximum of six years of teaching experience on an Instructional I Teaching Certificate
• 24 semester-hour (or 36 quarter-hour) credits beyond a bachelor’ degree
• Completion of an induction program (generally provided by the teacher’ school of employment)

Elementary Certification (Grades PreK–4) and Special Education Certification (Grades PreK–8 and Grades 7–12)

The Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT) are required for Grades PreK–4 and Special Education. All undergraduate and dual degree BS/MS students are required to pass the Pre-service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) basic skills exam. In addition, students will be required to take the appropriate assessment exam for each area of certification they wish to obtain.

For more information about examinations and registration:

Middle Level Certification (Grades 4–8) and Secondary Certification (Grades 7–12)

All undergraduate and dual degree BS/MS students seeking certification in middle (grades 4–8) or secondary (grades 7–12) levels are required to pass exams from the PA Education Certification Tests (PECT) and the Praxis II Series. Students must pass both the Pre-service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) basic skills assessment exam and the appropriate Praxis II Content Knowledge test for each area of certification they wish to obtain.

For more information about examinations and registration:

Pennsylvania Act 48 Requirements

To maintain Instructional I and Instructional II Certifications, the PDE requires a teacher to complete one of the following every five years:

• Six semester-hour (or nine quarter-hour) credits. Credits must be acquired from an accredited, four-year, degree-granting college or university.
• 180 hours of professional development
• A combination of credits and professional development hours every five years.

Note: For those working to acquire Instructional II Certification, the 24 semester credits or 36 quarter credits needed to apply for Instructional II may also count toward Act 48 requirements.

Download the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Frequently Asked Questions about Act 48 [PDF].

Updated August 2020

Our graduate and undergraduate programs are recognized by New York State Education Department (NYSED) as “approved teacher preparation program(s)” and as such prepare students to meet the requirements of Initial Certification in Visual Art, Grades Pre-K-12.

This page directs students to certification information but does not replace the State website on certification. It is a student’s responsibility to visit the New York State Office of Teaching Initiatives website to keep abreast of changes to certification requirements and to visit the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations website for all test and submission dates and fees.

Certification Requirements

In order to be recommended for NYSED Initial/Certification in Visual Arts, Pre-K–12, candidates must have completed the following procedures, workshops and tests as you move through the program so that by the time you have finished your last semester, you will have completed everything you will need to apply for certification.

New York State Education Department (NYSED) Teach Account

First, students must open an account with New York State Education Department TEACH System, select Initial or Professional Certification in Visual Art, all grades (Pre-K-12), pay the $50 fee, verify, and update their profiles. Students are responsible for regularly monitoring your TEACH accounts for accuracy. The TEACH account records and verifies your progress towards certification. Instructions for using TEACH online are available here.

Complete the Following Workshops:

• Child Abuse Identification Workshop (register)
• School Violence Prevention and Intervention Workshop (register)
• DASA: Training in Harassment, Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Discrimination in Schools (6-hour workshop)

The DASA workshop will be offered at Pratt Institute every Fall for current students only. Contact jjoshua@pratt.edu for the date of the next scheduled workshop and to register. If you take the DASA workshop outside of Pratt it must be taken with a provider approved by NYSED and it will be at your own expense.

Earn a Passing Score on the Following Exams:

• Educating all Students (EAS)
• Content Specialty Test (CST)
• Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA)

*Note: The test and test score dates are available from the NYSTCE website. Test Preparation Guides are also available from NYSTCE.

Institutional Recommendation Form

In order to be “recommended” for certification, students must complete an Institutional Recommendation Form (IRF) form prior to graduation. These forms are available from the ADE office (contact Jonell Joshua at jjoshua@pratt.edu). Completed forms must be submitted to the ADE office either in person or by mail at the completion of the program/graduation.

What’s Next?

Once the completed IRF forms and all supporting documents are approved by the ADE Office, they are turned over to the Registrar for review and the student is then “recommended” for certification. Students who are NOT currently in one of our “approved programs” leading to certification, should contact NYS Office of Teaching Initiatives for more information.

Questions?

Jonell Joshua
Assistant to the Chair of Art and Design Education
Main building, room 202
Pratt Institute
200 Willoughby Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
718.636.3637

Teacher Certification Candidates

If you are a prospective recipient of a New York State teaching certification (including administrative/school leadership and pupil personnel services professionals) you will apply through the New York State Education Department (NYSED) using the TEACH System.

The Registrar's Office role in the certification process is limited to supporting recommendations at the point of degree conferral, providing program codes for SUNY Cortland programs and processing TEACH account authorizations. To speak with a trained counselor, and for most other types of student certification support, please review the Career Services Office site or contact the Career Services office for assistance.

Program Codes and TEACH Authorizations

1. Each student pursuing teacher certification must complete the TEACH authorization form, so we may provide required data to the New York State Education Department (NYSED).
2. You will first need to create a TEACH account to apply online for certification. You do not need to wait to complete all of the certification tests before applying. Instructions for creating a TEACH account can be found on the TEACH system site.
3. You will receive program codes and other important TEACH instructions (on a "Student Information Sheet" or SIS) from the Registrar's Office, as you prepare to have your degree conferred. Please retain the SIS for future reference. 

   Graduate and undergraduate students will be sent instructions and program codes in their Cortland email inbox after they have submitted the TEACH authorization form. If you are a graduate student, you must complete a an authorization for your current graduate level credential, even if you completed an authorization at Cortland previously. 

4. After you have been awarded your degree in our registered program, the SUNY Cortland Registrar's Office will recommend you to the New York State Education Department for the teaching certificate.
5. In order to graduate from a teacher certification program, students are currently required to complete all 3 mandated NYSED workshops DASA, CAR and SAV. Once you have applied for certification and the institution has made a recommendation, it signals NYSED to review the application process.