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Aspiring public-school teachers who have a college degree and some nontraditional K-12 teaching experience may pursue a new track to become a licensed educator in Wisconsin, the Department of Public Instruction announced Monday in a move praised by Gov. Scott Walker but questioned by some leaders of the state's formal education schools.

The new pathway allows an individual with three years of teaching experience - such as in a private school, workplace training center, child care center or postsecondary institution - to apply for a teaching license by submitting a portfolio of work to the DPI for review.

Unlike other licensure options in the state, the new License Based on Equivalency cuts out the involvement of traditional education schools, which could mean a diversion of potential students and tuition money from the institutions that produce the majority of public K-12 educators in Wisconsin.

"What they've put together is a fairly complex process that's asking for evidence of teaching competence, but there are some policy questions that remain to be answered about the implementation of this," said Jeanne Williams, professor of education studies at Ripon College and the president of the Wisconsin Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.

The new license would be wholly overseen by the DPI, and it aims to create an easier pathway into the teaching profession for people with relevant experience who already have bachelor's degrees, such as an engineer with industry training experience seeking a career change.

Other states offer similar options.

Candidates for the new license pathway in Wisconsin would have to submit a portfolio of evidence, outlined in a detailed handbook, that shows they can meet the state's teaching standards. The state also intends to have those candidates pass the new Teacher Performance Assessment, a test that relies on extensive reflection essays and a video of the candidate teaching, once that test is in place.

"We know there are people who have completed college, have work and content area expertise, and would like to share their knowledge by becoming teachers in our public schools," State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers said in a statement. "The License Based on Equivalency will help them get there."

The new pathway also fulfills a campaign platform issue for Walker, who called for strengthening the teaching profession by opening the door to aspiring teachers with real-world experience.

In a statement Monday, Walker said the change might help districts find more qualified educators in high-needs areas such as science and math.

The majority of public-school teachers in Wisconsin come from undergraduate programs in education, which are offered by 33 colleges or universities in the state. Those institutions recommend their candidates to the DPI, which grants the teaching licenses.

Some educators come out of alternative teacher certification programs, which offer a fast-track into the profession for people who already have bachelor's degrees.

Private-school teachers do not have to have a state teaching license.

Katy Heyning, dean of the College of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, said she was not aware of the License Based on Equivalency plan until the Journal Sentinel asked for comment Monday.

She said she needed more details but said the best thing for Wisconsin schools is to provide teachers who have completed a recognized and approved educator preparation program, such as those offered by UW-Whitewater and many of the UW System campuses.