A Formative Evaluation of the Texas Teacher Licensure System

The focus of this applied research project is on teacher licensure systems Specifically, the purpose of this study is to describe the ideal characteristics of an effective teacher licensure system. Secondly, this paper assesses the teacher licensure system in Texas using the practical ideal categories established within the conceptual framework. Finally, by using this research design, recommendations for improving the Texas teacher licensure system are made. The research purpose is prescriptive. A case study methodology incorporating document analysis and focused interviews served to achieve the purpose of the research study. Texas state laws and State Board for Educator Certification rules are analyzed. In addition, focused interviews with university and agency personnel are used to corroborate the document analysis. The key findings in this study suggest that the Texas teacher licensure system needs vast improvement in the areas of pre-service education, the internship, the provisional licensing examination, the induction period, and the renewal process. Recommendations for improvement are made to the state legislature as well as the State Board for Educator Certification. Internship I C I The stale should create professional development schools and mandate cohort groups and professional discourse communities. I Key Findings Ideal Type Catepory I Grade 1 Abbreviated Summary of Recommendations Provisional Licensing l C l The state should create a twetiered system of licensure to include a Examination provisional license. l Induction Period 1 D 1 The SBEC should expand and monitor the TxBESS program statewide. State legislature and the SBEC should require liberal arts degrees. Pre-service Education B+ Renewal Process F The SBEC should make teacher improvement and student performance the main criteria for renewal.