The Changing Face of Teacher Licensure

By Rich Mannisto, WMEA State Chair, Government Relations

2004 will be a year of significant change for Wisconsin’s Teacher Licensure. College students graduating after August 31, 2004, will benefit the most from changes in the new rules for teacher licensure. Teachers who currently hold licenses will have some new choices in how to renew their licenses. This article will outline a brief overview of the newly written rules from PI 34 (Teacher Licensure).

New music teachers graduating after August 31, 2004, will be granted an Initial Educator License, which is a 5-year, non-renewable license. For this license, a school district must provide orientation, support seminars, and a mentor for the new teacher. An Initial Educator Team consisting of a teacher from the school district (not the mentor), an administrator, and a college/university representative will review the progress and the professional development plan. The Initial Educator Team forwards its findings to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for advancement to the next level of licensure.

After completing three years at the Initial Educator Level, a teacher may apply for a Professional Educator License. A key component of advancement will be the Professional Development Plan, including: professional goals and a timeline for achieving these goals, collaboration with professional peers, and an assessment plan that specifies indicators of growth. Teachers eligible for the Professional Educator License will be those possessing the Initial Educator License, Life License holders, teachers whose licenses will expire on July 1, 2004, and applicants with five or more years of teaching experience from outside the state of Wisconsin. The Professional Educator License is a 5-year renewable license. Renewal of this license is based on the approval of a Professional Development Plan. A Professional Development Team consisting of three classroom teachers selected by the educator's peers will monitor the plan.

The Master Educator License is a 10-year renewable license available for teachers who meet the criteria of: a Master’s Degree in their field of teaching, five years of teaching experience, evidence of contributions to the profession, and evidence of improved pupil learning. The approval process for a Master Educator License is based on the formal assessment by three similar educators trained by DPI who will: give Interviews, review portfolios and essays, evaluate objective examinations, and view video or on-site observations of performance by a teacher seeking a Master Educator License. The DPI will also grant a Master Educator License for those educators who have completed certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in lieu of meeting other license requirements.

Music educators who currently hold a life or 5-year license or will receive a license prior to July 1, 2004, are not required to obtain a new license level or category. However, should a teacher choose to convert his or her current license to a Professional Educator License, a portfolio must be submitted to DPI consisting of: evidence of successful teaching experience, letters of recommendation from professionals, and evidence of course work, conferences, or workshops. One significant difference of the Professional Educator License over the current 5-year license is the elimination of college credits needed for license renewal.

There are many details that still need to be clarified regarding these new licensure changes: Who will be serving on the development teams? Will they be compensated? What will be the model of a high quality portfolio/professional development plan? Rest assured that while WMEA and I, as WMEA government relations chair, are involved in the process of clarifying these new licensure rules, we will be advocates for teachers' best interests.

To view the entire text of PI 34, visit DPI’s Web site at www.dpi.state.wi.us/dpi/dlsis/tel. I invite you to discuss any suggestions, ideas, or concerns you may have on these new licensure changes or regarding any government relations issue. Together, the music educators of Wisconsin can and will make a difference for the future.