25 Investigates: State closes loophole for teachers skating on professional licenses

BOSTON — The state finally moved to close an alarming loophole that allowed teachers across Massachusetts to work for decades on licenses meant for new teachers.

The state education board's new crackdown Tuesday morning comes just months after Investigative Reporter Eric Rasmussen first revealed hundreds of teachers working in Boston classrooms without a proper license.

At the time, Boston Public Schools Superintendent Tommy Chang admitted he didn’t know about the problem until 25 Investigates told him.

"I think we can always do better and we will do better," said Chang in February, promising swift change.
In Massachusetts, new teachers can apply for a "preliminary" license – which expires after five years.

Educators must then seek the training to apply for an “initial” license, which is valid for 5 years and can be extended for another 5 years with permission from the state. After that, teachers must upgrade to a professional license and complete new training to renew the license every five years.

In all, teachers are given more than a decade to obtain a professional license.

But 25 Investigates found some veteran Boston teachers stacking licenses meant for new teachers – back to back in different subjects.

Meeting notes from one state task force show education officials knew there was a problem, stating, teachers could teach 30 years if they received six different preliminary licenses.

But the state’s education board adopted new licensing regulations Tuesday morning.

State Education Secretary Jim Peyser told 25 Investigates the updated rules mean licenses for new teachers will expire after five years – no matter how many preliminary licenses they hold.

“I think those changes are important and will ensure that we've got qualified teachers in as many classrooms as we can,” said Peyser.

The state doesn’t monitor teacher licenses, so it’s still up to individual school districts to track whether teachers are keeping up with requirements.

To check if your child's teacher is licensed, search the state's educator licensure database here: www.doe.mass.edu/educators/lookup

PREVIOUS:

Cox Media Group