Nebraska joins nine other states in effort to ease teacher shortage

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — As the U.S. battles a nationwide teacher shortage, Nebraska is joining the first interstate teaching compact.

It’s aimed at helping educators avoid the pricey process of becoming relicensed when they move to another state.

The Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact should also save time by streamlining the process for both teachers and state licensing bureaus.

Adam Diersing with the Council of State Governments told Nebraska News Connection that he believes this will convince some people to continue teaching.

“Even for teachers with lots of experience and long-held licenses in other states, there can be significant cost barriers to re-certify in another state,” Diersing told Channel 8.

State Sen. Carol Blood introduced the legislation to make Nebraska part of the program, which passed in June.

“It allows people to hit the ground running,” she said. “We have a very transit society now.”

One advantage is that all 10 members will use a shared database, so no state will needlessly perform and pay for new background checks.

The states will also have the same standards and qualifications.

“It’s great for us because we know that the people who come into our state, that come from another compact state, are qualified and will work well with our children,” Blood said.

The program is expected to launch in the summer of 2024.