Many Limited Certificated Teachers of Color Are Interested in Becoming Fully Certificated but Need Additional Support

Many states are attempting to reduce teacher shortages by encouraging limited certificated teachers to become fully certificated. A new study by REL Northwest presents the results of a statewide survey of limited certificated teachers in Washington on their interest in becoming fully certificated, the barriers they face, and the supports they report needing in order to pursue full certification.  Findings include: More than two-thirds of the limited certificated teachers who responded to the survey expressed interest in becoming fully certificated. Of these teachers, approximately two-thirds wanted to teach a subject area in which there is a staffing shortage. A higher percentage of teachers of color indicated a desire to become fully certificated. Those who expressed interest in becoming fully certificated identified substantial barriers to doing so, including time and financial concerns. In general, a higher percentage of teachers of color cited these concerns. The findings have important implications for the state’s efforts to reduce teacher shortages and to increase the diversity of its teacher workforce and for designing state policies and programs to help more teachers become fully certificated.