A unique program in Florida that helps immigrants get U.S. teaching licenses could help tackle teacher shortages if adopted on greater scale.
Why it matters: The Miami Dade College initiative is a win-win because it also gives immigrants “economic mobility opportunities,” says Elizabeth Zamudio, vice president of education at UnidosUS, the Latino civil rights organization.
- It could also help diversify schools at a time when Latinos make up nearly 30% of public K-12 students yet most teachers are white.
Zoom in: The program helps people who already had a bachelor’s degree from another country and have permission to work in the U.S. improve their English skills through courses.
- It also helps get their university transcripts translated and evaluated, and it aids in sending certification applications to the state Department of Education.
- Immigrants whose degrees aren’t in education can also enroll to teach their subject matter expertise. For example, accountants can become math teachers, says Carmen Concepción, dean of the School of Education.
- The whole process can be done within 10 months, Concepción tells Noticias Telemundo.
Zoom out: Other states are starting to explore options like the Miami Dade College program, but there’s no coordinated effort, Zamudio says.
- “In states where we have large populations of multilingual learners, it’s essential that we have a diverse teacher workforce,” and programs like the Miami one would help “get us there,” Zamudio adds.
- Zamudio says one problem to overcome in making such programs better known is that immigrants may be leery of them because similar past offers to get “quickly licensed” turned out to be scams.
- It’s important for those interested to make sure the certification is coming from “trusted resources like accredited community colleges,” she says.
The big picture: Across the country, education leaders are getting creative in trying to address years-long teacher shortages.
- For example, some Texas districts have started hiring uncertified teachers on a temporary basis, though experts say that could backfire because some uncredentialed educators are more likely to quit.
- In Denver, a coalition of educators recently advocated for using more “grow-your-own” programs, or those that target local community members, to recruit teachers.
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