Governor Walker Proposes New Path to Teacher Licensing

Ellery McCardle By Published: Updated:
Scott Walker

Governor Scott Walker’s budget proposal won’t be released until Feb. 3, but Thursday he announced how some of it involves the state’s workforce. One of his proposals involves teacher licenses. The state already has alternative ways for someone to earn a teacher license, but Governor Walker is proposing another way of getting one. It would allow someone who has experience in a certain field to teach that subject. Some already disagree with this proposal.

“At this point, nothing really surprises me,” said Lori Cathey, president of the Green Bay Education Association.

She is skeptical about the proposal because she believes it would hurt the state’s chances of getting quality teachers at a time when more teachers are needed. She says since the passage of Act 10 in 2011, many long-time teachers have left teaching.

“The quality would be definitely lower I believe because they don’t know how to teach, they know the content but they don’t necessarily know how to teach the content,” said Cathey.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction reports there are 390 more full-time public school teachers than last school year, but the state is down 2,534 in the last six years.

According to Governor Walker’s office, under the proposal, candidates would need a bachelor’s degree and must pass a competency test to show their knowledge of the subject. Licenses would be granted for three years and could be renewed and those who receive licenses could only teach grades 6-12. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction would create that competency test.

“Our goal is to help open the door for more people in Wisconsin to enjoy the freedom and prosperity that comes from having a great job, and doing it well,” said Governor Walker in this week’s radio address, talking about his Workforce Readiness Plan.

In a statement to Action 2 News, a DPI spokesperson said, “We look forward to seeing the details of this proposal, especially how it will interact with existing options and whether it will ensure skilled professionals are teaching in our classrooms.”