Recruitment, Hiring and Placement Practices Matter!

The Professional Educator Standards Board recently released a report to the Legislature regarding educator
workforce development in Washington. The report paints "a picture of a system that meets the demands of the workforce needs in a varied, inconsistent manner and often lacks a comprehensive strategy."

Key findings include:
1. Although early hiring is best practice, the current system includes financial risks that create a
disincentive for early hiring.
2. Districts would benefit from greater state-level assistance in estimating enrollment and employment
trends.
3. Districts would like strong partnerships with teacher preparation programs, but relatively few have
pursued this or view it as among their priorities;
4. Districts would like to see more qualified candidates per opening, especially in the fields of STEM,
Special Education, English Language Learners, and health-related Educational Staff Associates roles.
5. The "highly-qualified" requirements of the Federal No Child Left Behind Act are a primary driver in
screening teaching applicants.
6. Districts agree that there is room for improvement in their workforce development strategies, but are uncertain as to specific steps and resources.

To read CSTP's perspective on the challenges and potential solutions, click here.

To read the full report, see the PESB website.