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Priority Legislative Alert: Proposed Rule Changes to Educator Licensure (PI 34)
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | January 19, 2018
This is a Priority Legislative Alert on the Proposed Rule Changes to Educator Licensure (PI 34).
The Proposed Rule Changes to Educator Licensing (PI 34) are currently posted for public comments prior to submission to the legislature for consideration. WASDA, AWSA, WASBO, WASPA and WCASS were actively involved in the development of these changes. They are intended to address the issues related to the declining pool of teachers in Wisconsin, along with issues associated with licensing requirements that impact the current workforce of teachers and impede districts ability to develop and utilize staff most effectively to meet their instructional needs for students.
A very high-level summary is available here.
Some specific points that should be noted about the rule changes include:
- Consolidates subject areas. The new rule will provide districts more flexibility in staffing their schools by preparing educators to teach entire subject areas rather than just specialized subjects (e.g., science, social studies, music – Subchapter VI).
- Adds flexibility. The new rule allows current license holders to add additional license areas through a district pathway that gives districts the authority to provide an experience that leads to additional licensure.
- Fewer licenses, more flexibility. Five developmental levels of licensing have been shrunk to four grade spans and license subject areas have been broadened.
- Dual licensure. Speech and language therapists and audiologists licensed by the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) can receive a license from DPI by virtue of their DSPS license.
- Tiered licensing. This will allow school districts to differentiate teachers based on completion of minimum requirements.
- Teacher residencies and internships. Teachers in one of these experiences are eligible for a license.
- Alternatives to Testing Requirements. Options are given to preparation programs in lieu of exams and flexibility is created for those who are working to pass the Foundations of Reading test.
While not the end-all for addressing the challenges of teacher preparation, recruitment, development and retention, these rule changes are definitely a valuable step in easing the issues we currently experience.
We are asking all SAA members to take the time to access the DPI posted website that allows you to register in support of the changes and offer comments. You can simply draw any comments you wish to make from the points offered above (cut and paste) or feel free to add your own. The important action is that you register in support of the rule changes. Literally, the number of people who register for or against the proposal is what matters, not their specific comments. Currently, those opposed outnumber those in support. The deadline for registering on the rule changes is January 31. If you want a more flexible licensing system that maintains strong professional standards, then please register in support of the rule today.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this.
You can access the DPI form here.
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