Enhancing Quality or Restricting Competition: The Case of Licensing Public School Teachers

The percentage of the workforce affected by occupational licensing has grown nationally and in public education. In assessing educational attainment and quality, there is little evidence that licensing has improved the learning outcomes of children, but the regulations may benefit wealthier schools and districts relative to poorer ones. The paper argues for a movement to the certification of teachers that would allow districts greater flexibility in choosing who can teach, but with more monitoring and greater incentives for educational attainment to ensure quality teachers are employed as a key element in learning.

Morris M. Kleiner

University of St. Thomas Journal of Law and Public Policy

Spring 2011

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