Report of the Advisory Committee on Teacher Shortages

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Report of the Advisory Committee on Teacher Shortages Presented to the Virginia Board of

Report of the Advisory Committee on Teacher Shortages Presented to the Virginia Board of Education Holly Coy, Deputy Secretary of Education March 22, 2018

Committee Creation and Composition • May 2017 request from Governor Mc. Auliffe to BOE

Committee Creation and Composition • May 2017 request from Governor Mc. Auliffe to BOE President, Billy Cannaday and SCHEV Chairman, Gil Minor to convene the group and make short and long term recommendations by October 2017. “These recommendations should include both short and Long term policy and process changes, repurposing of existing public funds, need for new initiatives, and need for new state investments. ” • Examined both recruitment and retention components of the shortage • 19 members of the Committee included: a second-year teacher, elementary and secondary principals, education school dean, school board member, superintendent, school division HR, representatives from the Task Force on Diversifying Virginia’s Educator Pipeline, the VA Chamber of Commerce, VEA, VDOE, VCCS, VDOE, Va Board of Workforce Development and the Secretary’s office 2

Analysis of the Challenge What is the Issue? • Examined the teacher shortage statewide

Analysis of the Challenge What is the Issue? • Examined the teacher shortage statewide over time; as well as geographic and subject area nuance • Shortage of minority teachers and an increasingly diverse student body Why should we care? • Student outcomes • Future economic growth and prosperity of the Commonwealth Why is it occurring? • Costly pathways into the profession, coupled with limited earnings potential • Negative perception of the profession • Undesirable working conditions, including stressful cultures of testing and accreditation 3

Priority Recommendations 1. Stackable, financially accessible pathways into the profession • Model Grow Your

Priority Recommendations 1. Stackable, financially accessible pathways into the profession • Model Grow Your Own programs based on best practices* • Stronger articulation agreements between community colleges and four-year institutions 2. Permit undergraduate majors in teaching* 3. Raise awareness about federal loan forgiveness programs 4. Consider establishing a competitive Commonwealth Teaching Fellows Program 5. Differentiated compensation or retention bonuses * Indicates policy or budget item proposed in 2018 General Assembly 4

Recruitment Recommendations A. Modernized Pathways into the Profession • Evaluate assessment requirements for practitioners,

Recruitment Recommendations A. Modernized Pathways into the Profession • Evaluate assessment requirements for practitioners, align with skills and competencies of high quality teaching • Reciprocity for out of state individuals* • Relief from ancillary requirements before issuance of a provisional license* • Expand reach and funding for teacher residency programs* • State financial support to human resource departments in divisions with greatest shortages B. Building Awareness of Pathways • Embed exposure and exploration of teaching careers in middle and high school • VDOE to develop and make available materials targeted to different audiences (middle school students to retirees) to communicate pathway options and available financial incentives 5

Recruitment Recommendations Cont’d C. Enhancing Compensation and Reducing Entry Costs • Refine how the

Recruitment Recommendations Cont’d C. Enhancing Compensation and Reducing Entry Costs • Refine how the Virginia Teacher Student Loan Program is leveraged to address shortages we face today* • Consider financial incentives in addition to salary, such as subsidized child care, housing assistance, retirement credit, and contributions to health insurance premiums • Targeted sign-on or relocation bonuses • Cover cost or partial cost of praxis, VCLA, and test prep for low-income and minority students* 6

Retention Recommendations A. Enhance Teacher Preparation • Address changing needs of students - students

Retention Recommendations A. Enhance Teacher Preparation • Address changing needs of students - students in poverty, English language learners, and students with disabilities • State financial support for practicums in divisions with most critical shortages • Data systems to better understand nature of teacher shortage and building for improvement B. Foster Positive School Climate • New SOA’s • Statewide working conditions survey* • Allow 5 years for provisional licensees to meet full licensure requirements* • Foster high quality teacher and principal induction and mentorship in all divisions C. Deploy Targeted Financial Incentives • Additional compensation for teachers who help retain others, through mentoring or coaching new teachers • Opportunities for advancement within profession without leaving the classroom 7

Areas for Further Consideration Further policy development for Virginia specific programs related to: •

Areas for Further Consideration Further policy development for Virginia specific programs related to: • Ensuring high quality teacher induction and mentorship programs in all divisions • Fostering principal training programs, as well as induction and mentorship • Creating a Commonwealth Teaching Fellows program to recruit students to high-need locations and subjects • Research on which financial incentives are most effective, given limited resources 8