Board directs staff to draft up to two 5–12 science licenses after extended debate

The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board voted May 15 to direct staff to draft rules for no more than two 5–12 science licenses — a physical science track and a biological-science track — and to ask the drafting group to explore whether a single general 5–12 science license could work.

The motion, introduced by Board member Shoemaker and seconded by Ms. Ajo, came after more than three hours of presentation and discussion of out-of-field permissions (OFPs) and licensure scope. Dr. Bailey, who led the staff presentation, told the Board that data show a substantial number of science assignments are currently filled with OFPs, particularly in earth-and-space science after recent standards were moved to the middle grades.

"There are about 473 teachers who had an OFP in the science field in the current school year," Dr. Bailey said, summarizing the staff's snapshot of district reporting. She said many of those teachers hold a science license but not in the specific field they are assigned to teach, which suggests the licensure scope may need revision.

Board members split over how far to go. Supporters of two 5–12 licenses — including Shoemaker, Dyer and Trask — argued that separating physical sciences and biological sciences would better match teacher-preparation programs and preserve laboratory requirements. "Two licenses would be more realistic," Shoemaker said.

Opponents, including Dr. Stumpf and Wood, argued a single 5–12 license would better achieve the Board's stated goal of streamlining licensure and might simplify pathways for programs and districts. Both noted concerns about higher-education capacity and the potential unintended consequences for institutions that have scaled back specific majors.

To resolve competing priorities the Board approved an amendment directing the drafting group to prepare standards for no more than two 5–12 licenses while explicitly asking the group to examine whether a single 5–12 license could be drafted that met classroom needs. The amendment passed on a roll-call vote; the final motion also passed by roll call.

The Board also voted to remove the separate middle-school (5–8) license discussion from the main motion so members could address middle-school authorization and endorsement structures separately.

The outcome directs the executive director and staff to convene a drafting group that will include teacher-preparation representatives, classroom teachers and HR/district partners. That group will draft proposed standards and report back to the Board with recommendations and a timeline for rulemaking; Dr. Bailey estimated rulemaking plus program implementation would make visible classroom effects in several years.

Next steps: staff will convene the drafting group and return with draft language and an implementation timeline. The Board set no specific final deadline but signaled urgency while acknowledging the need for careful stakeholder work.