September 22, 2023

New instructor certification exam Will harm Texas instruction

David DeMatthews and Christopher P. Brown

The Texas Condition Board for Educator Certification a short while ago adopted a new trainer certification examination, referred to as edTPA.

On the area, this is anything the point out really should be applauded for – increasing the top quality of the teacher workforce is a noble notion. But there is a main issue. The timing and negative opportunity impact of this new test on the trainer workforce is out of stage with the realities of Texas public universities, especially in the midst of the pandemic. 

The goal of any teacher certification exam is to ensure the condition has high-quality instructors in each classroom, but our point out has struggled to guarantee an ample provide of good quality teachers even just before the pandemic. This has disproportionality afflicted urban and rural universities with bigger percentages of low-cash flow learners and students of coloration.

Including a new examination will not make improvements to this longstanding trouble. In reality, a single could argue it is effective versus the state’s goals. 

Any certification policy adjustment will have to take into account the state’s need for a provide of excellent instructors. A commonsense policy during a pandemic and surge of teacher resignations would be to lessen the value of instructor certification, which could be a barrier for competent candidates. Yet, the adoption of edTPA would raise money burdens on aspiring academics since the exam expenses $311, which is on top rated of other fees or option trainer planning programs.