EdCircuit Staff 
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A provisional teaching license is issued to individuals who do not meet all the requirements for a full teaching license but have been hired by a school district to teach. Governing bodies typically issue provisional licenses for one to three years, allowing teachers to gain experience and meet the requirements for a full teaching license.
There are several reasons why a teacher might need to obtain a provisional license. For example, a teacher might have graduated from an accredited teacher preparation program but not yet passed the state’s teaching licensure exam. Or, a teacher might have years of experience teaching in another state but not yet meet the requirements for a teaching license in the state where they live.
Requirements for a Provisional Teaching License
To meet eligibility for a provisional teaching license, applicants must typically meet the following requirements:
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Have completed an approved teacher preparation program
- Pass the state’s teaching licensure exam
- Be hired by a school district
Once a governing board issues a provisional teaching license, teachers must typically complete several professional development hours yearly to maintain their license. They must also meet all the requirements for a full teaching license, such as passing the state’s teaching licensure exam, within a certain period.
Provisional teaching licenses can offer an excellent way for teachers to gain experience and meet the requirements for a full teaching license. They can also allow schools to hire qualified teachers who do not yet meet all the requirements for a full teaching license.
Provisional Teaching License the Key to the Teacher Shortage?
Provisional teaching licenses are not the only solution to the teacher shortage, but they can be a part of the solution. They can help schools hire qualified teachers who do not yet meet all the requirements for a full teaching license. They can also help teachers gain experience and meet the needs for a full teaching license.
However, provisional teaching licenses are not without their challenges. One challenge is that they can create a two-tiered system of teachers, with lower-paid provisionally licensed teachers and higher-paid fully licensed teachers. Another challenge is that provisionally licensed teachers may not have the same experience and training as fully licensed teachers.
Despite these challenges, provisional teaching licenses can be a valuable tool for schools and teachers. They can help schools hire qualified teachers and help teachers gain experience and meet the requirements for a full teaching license.
Schools Using Provisional Teaching License?
Many schools are leveraging provisional teaching licenses. Some of these schools include:
- New York City Department of Education: The New York City Department of Education has a program called the Teaching Fellows Program, which allows individuals with a bachelor’s degree to teach in New York City public schools for three years without having to complete a traditional teacher preparation program. After three years, Teaching Fellows can apply for a full teaching license or continue teaching with a provisional license.
- Chicago Public Schools: The Chicago Public Schools has a program called the Teacher Residency Program, which allows individuals with a bachelor’s degree to teach in Chicago public schools for two years while they complete a teacher preparation program. After two years, Teacher Residents can either apply for a full teaching license or continue teaching with a provisional license.
- Los Angeles Unified School District: The Los Angeles Unified School District has a program called the Intern Teaching Program, which allows individuals with a bachelor’s degree to teach in Los Angeles Unified School District schools for one year while they complete a teacher preparation program. After one year, Intern Teachers can either apply for a full teaching license or continue teaching with a provisional license.
These are just a few examples of schools leveraging provisional teaching licenses. Many other schools nationwide use provisional teaching licenses to hire qualified teachers.
Virginia is an Example
Virginia is using provisional teaching licenses. Virginia’s provisionally licensed teachers have increased significantly in recent years. In the 2016-2017 school year, Virginia had 2,165 provisionally licensed teachers. In the 2017-2018 school year, Virginia had 2,554 provisionally licensed teachers. And in the 2018-2019 school year, Virginia had 3,015 provisionally licensed teachers.
There are several reasons why Virginia is using provisional teaching licenses. One reason is that the state is facing a teacher shortage. According to the Virginia Department of Education, there were 10,000 unfilled teaching positions in Virginia in the 2018-2019 school year. Provisional teaching licenses allow schools to hire qualified teachers who do not yet meet all the requirements for a full teaching license.
Provisional teaching licenses can help schools save money. Districts typically pay teachers with provisional licenses less than fully licensed teachers. This can help schools save money on teacher salaries, which can be a significant expense.
Aiding the Talent Acquisition Process
Finally, provisional teaching licenses can help schools attract and retain teachers. Provisional teaching licenses can be a way for schools to hire qualified teachers who cannot commit to a full-time teaching position. They can also aid schools in attracting and retaining teachers new to the teaching profession.
There are several challenges associated with using provisional teaching licenses. One challenge is that provisionally licensed teachers may not have the same experience and training as fully licensed teachers. This can lead to challenges in the classroom. Another challenge is that pay for provisionally licensed teachers is less than for fully licensed teachers. This can lead to morale issues among teachers.
Despite the challenges, provisional teaching licenses are a valuable tool for schools. They can help schools hire qualified teachers and help schools save money.
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