State wants 95 percent reduction in emergency teaching certificates
State education leaders have set a goal to reduce the number of emergency teaching certificates to under 60 within seven years, a daunting task considering the number surpassed 1,800 last week, with no sign of slowing down.
In its new school plan, the state Department of Education listed a 95 percent reduction in emergency teacher certification as a key goal by 2025.
When the goal was set in September, which is when the school plan was finalized and submitted for federal review, Oklahoma’s emergency certified teacher use was at 1,160.
"It is a goal that when reached indicates we have a strong teacher pipeline," said state Superintendent Joy Hofmeister.
Such a drastic reduction in emergency certified teachers might seem like an impossible challenge, but five years ago only 32 emergency certified teachers were used across the state.
A wave of teachers leaving the state and the profession, along with reductions in the number of new teachers entering the field, has created a hiring challenge for public school teachers in nearly all areas of the state.
Nearly a quarter of new teachers this year hold an emergency certificate
and almost half of all new teachers leave the profession within the first five years, according to state data.
Two-thirds of Oklahoma school districts reported teacher hiring was worse than last year, according to a survey from the Oklahoma State School Boards Association released in August.
Teacher pay
Hofmeister said increasing teacher pay is the primary tool in reducing the number of emergency certificates.
“It’s not the only thing we need to be doing,” she said. “But it’s impossible to make a significant dent without regionally competitive pay.”
Numerous reports have placed Oklahoma’s average teacher pay near the bottom nationally, including a study by GoBankingRates that showed only Mississippi with a lower average.
The state Board of Education recently approved a budget request for next year that includes a $5,000 pay raise for Oklahoma teachers. But state lawmakers could balk at that request, especially as they continue to debate how to fill a major budget hole that is likely to continue next year.
“Students are not
choosing to go into education,” said board member Carolyn Franks, a former teacher. “They look at the pay out there. Why would they want to become a teacher? Pay is a big, big part of it.”
While state education leaders consider teacher pay as the leading reason for the reduction in traditionally trained teachers, the state Department of Education hopes a recently completed survey sheds more light on the other reasons certified teachers are not staying in the classroom.
State survey
Over 7,500 certified teachers who are no longer actively teaching responded to a state survey about why they have left the profession.
The results are expected to be made public in the coming weeks, but Hofmeister
said a preliminary look indicates teachers are also frustrated with a lack of autonomy, support and time to engage students.
The state plans to develop detailed strategies based on the survey results.
Education officials hope a reduction in the number of emergency certified teachers will also come as those teachers remain in the profession while becoming certified, which could require passing a test and continuing their education and professional development.
The state Department of Education also views the continuation of Title II funding — which Congress has discussed cutting — for teacher professional development and training as critical in reducing the number of emergency certified teachers.
Emergency certified teachers are approved by the state Board of Education, which Hofmeister serves on. One way to reduce the number of emergency certified teachers could be to deny a district’s request.
“That is something that I have contemplated,” Hofmeister said. “But when you stop and think of that, we have to make a decision that is best for students and I would hate to make an artificial line in the sand and say no more. What we are doing is trusting school districts to find professionals who can serve our students.”