Teacher union president response to teacher shortage emergency measure

FARGO — In the latest attempt to address the state’s teacher shortage,

Governor Doug Burgum is approving a request from the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board

.

The approved request would allow a student teacher to temporarily be a teacher of record despite not having a teaching license, and instruct classes without a supervisor in the classroom.

When asked by WDAY News about approving this change, Governor Burgum said it’s the best they could do, given there’s only weeks to go before the school year.

“Versus having 40 kids in a classroom this fall — that’s a problem — or having classes that have to be canceled because we don’t have teachers, that would be a problem. So this was the best alternative of a series of bad choices,” Burgum said.

Nick Archuleta, the President of the

North Dakota United

teaching union, said their members find Burgum’s decision on student teachers concerning.

“This is the kind of action that devalues the value of their diplomas, and their licenses to teach. This is basically another way of the state telling teachers that, ‘Hey, anybody can do your job,’” Archuleta said.

Dr. Becky Pitkin, the executive director of the Education Standards and Practices Board, said in order to qualify, student teachers would have to have already completed all of their college coursework as well as receive a positive field evaluation and a letter of recommendation from their college.

She said there’s also a time limit.

“They can only have this authorization for one semester, and then they would move into a regular teacher license,” Pitkin said.

Pitkin also said the plan can benefit the student teachers by giving them resources to learn on the job.

“In our requirements, the district is to provide an on-site collaborating teacher who would provide feedback to them,” Pitkin said.

Archuleta argues the ruling won’t have an immediate impact on the shortage.

“Most of the student teachers for this year have already been placed, so they may not be in places where they can be helpful in reducing the shortage,” Archuleta said.

But both Archuleta and Pitkin agree on Burgum creating a statewide task force for finding long term solutions to teacher recruitment and retention.

“We’re looking forward to that, I think the governor is spot on in making sure we get this thing off the ground. But we have to do it with a commitment that we’re going to solve this problem,” Archuleta said.

“I’m just looking forward to the governor appointing individuals for that, I know what was stated in the letter and that’s all,” Pitkin said.

WDAY News reached out to Fargo and West Fargo Public Schools for comment on the request being approved.

A Fargo spokesperson said they need time to determine the impacts and how it could be implemented.

West Fargo Superintendent Beth Slette said in a statement the district would only use the rules as a last resort.