First of three hearings held for tiered licensure

Teachers from all over East Idaho gathered at the Pond Student Union Building on the Idaho State University campus tonight to discuss tiered licensure. Idaho is only one of 13 states that doesn’t have tiered licensure.

There was a lot of passion in the air as every person who spoke was against tiered licensure, but also addressed many questions. Teachers asked about the standards for students versus standards for special education students, test scores being tied to pay and certification, and how the tiers work.

Teachers said they feel this is a way to be punished if they don’t do well. The president of the Idaho Education Association in Idaho Falls said she many teachers are frustrated at what seems to be a one-strike and you’re done forever rule.

“That’s very frustrating that if you don’t do a good job on something, you can’t teach again,” said Angela Gillman. “Teachers are very concerned about that.”

Once the public hearing got underway, many students expressed frustration at the public hearing process itself. Representatives of the State Board of Education decided to hold a question-answer style forum. Some teachers said this made it so only half of the people could really speak their minds.

Tuesday’s hearing was the first of three public hearings. The second will be in Lewiston Tuesday, Oct. 14 and the third and final hearing will be in Nampa Tuesday, Oct. 21.

If you are unable to attend these hearings, you can still submit comments.Your comments will be collected and delivered to State Board’s Chief Planning and Policy Officer Tracie Bent (Tracie.Bent@osbe.idaho.gov).

There is also a form to use on the IEA website. They note that teachers submitting comments can use their non-school district email. Their website is: idahoea.org/tiered-certification/