Secondary Teacher Preparation: Louisiana

Analysis of Louisiana's policies

Louisiana does not ensure that all secondary teachers are adequately prepared to teach grade-level content. 

Louisiana requires that its secondary teacher candidates pass a Praxis II content test to teach any core secondary subjects.  Unfortunately, Louisiana permits a significant loophole to this important policy by allowing both general science and general social studies licenses, without requiring subject-matter testing for each subject area within these disciplines (see Goals 1-G and 1-H).

To add a core subject area to a secondary license, teachers in Louisiana must either submit a passing score on the Praxis II content test or complete 30 credit hours in the content area. 

Citation

Praxis Requirements https://www.teachlouisiana.net/teachers.aspx?PageID=698 Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 28, Bulletin 746, Section 611

Recommendations for Louisiana

Require subject-matter testing for all secondary teacher candidates.
Louisiana wisely requires subject-matter tests for most secondary teachers but should address any loopholes that undermine this policy (see Goals 1-G and 1-H).

Require subject-matter testing when adding subject-area endorsements.
Louisiana should require passing scores on subject-specific content tests, regardless of other coursework or degree requirements, for teachers who are licensed in core secondary subjects and wish to add another subject area, or endorsement, to their licenses. While coursework may be generally indicative of background in a particular subject area, only a subject-matter test ensures that teachers know the specific content they will need to teach.

State response to our analysis

Louisiana recognized the factual accuracy of this analysis.