News Brief
CCSSO Executive Director on Improving Licensure Standards to Meet Rising Teacher Expectations
By Abby HexterCCSSO Executive Director Chris Minnich writes in ASCD's InService Blog, in support of improving licensure standards to meet rising teacher expectations. In the post, Minnich outlines the need to focus on the entry point into the teaching profession, which will help to ensure that teachers are classroom ready from the beginning of their career. Historically, state licensure requirements set minimum qualifications for educators before they were allowed to practice in a classroom or school. Licensure standards are now evolving to be based on indicators correlated with readiness to enter a classroom or a school. Minnich cites Tennessee as an example of a state that is leading with improvements in policy to address this issue.
"CCSSO anticipates that many states will start tackling these issues, and we will support them in their efforts," wrote Minnich. "We are committed to working with states to address their licensure systems to ensure that teachers and leaders have the skills necessary to move all students toward college and career readiness. In addition to licensure, states will need to focus on additional levers for changing preparation and entry into the profession, including program approval, data collection and analysis, and reporting."