Target prospective teachers in childhood and early childhood education to earn special education certificates at first certification, and consider incentives redirecting teachers from administration toward shortage areas¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · 1 claim (1 mixed) · 1 study (1 associational), q3 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 1 claim rests on one study

Description¶

The report recommends that NYSED and preparation programs communicate with prospective teachers about typical career trajectories and "encourage them to apply for related available certificates at the time of their first certification rather than seeking additional certificates only after a few years in the classroom." It also suggests financial incentives could redirect teachers who pursue administration certificates, possibly for compensation gains, toward shortage certification areas, and that policymakers explicitly target and incentivize teachers not baseline certified in shortage areas.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• NYSED and teacher preparation programs would need to communicate with prospective teachers about typical career trajectories in particular certification areas

Constraints¶

• The study could not investigate experienced teachers' placement at the subject or classroom level, so whether additional certificate holders fill shortage positions is unknown

Target Learners¶

• experienced prekindergarten–grade 12 public school teachers in New York State
• prospective teachers in childhood and early childhood education

Target Learning Goals¶

• earning additional certificates in shortage subject areas such as special education

Claims¶

• More experienced teachers earned additional certificates in shortage areas (47 percent) than in nonshortage areas (25 percent), with special education the most common shortage area (27 percent) [~W]

Related Strategies¶

• Offer targeted service scholarships, loan forgiveness, and 1-year postbaccalaureate residency programs to rapidly expand the supply of well-prepared teachers in shortage fields and locations
• Offer multiple pathways to the early childhood credential, including integrated bachelor's, transfer articulation, postbaccalaureate, dual certification, and residency routes

Examples¶

-

Key Sources¶

• Camille Lemieux, Jacqueline Zweig, Karen Shakman, Rebecca Schillaci, and Laura O'Dwyer. (2021). Additional Certification for Teachers in New York State: Teachers' Experience and Employment Location, Certification Pathways, and Certification Areas. Regional Educational Laboratory Northeast & Islands, REL 2022–110. https://go.usa.gov/xecdz