In July 2009, Ohio House Bill 1 mandated a new four-tiered licensure system for teachers in Ohio. The new system included a four-year resident educator license that replaced the two-year provisional license. In 2023, the resident educator program changed from a four-year program to a two-year program. The two-year residency recognizes new teachers need sustained coaching, mentoring, and guidance during the initial years of their careers to ensure long-term success as professional educators. Successful completion of the Resident Educator Program is required to qualify for a five-year professional educator license.
To help local school districts implement the Resident Educator Program, the ESC of Lake Erie West has formed a Resident Educator Consortium. The purpose of the consortium is to provide technical assistance and professional development to the important stakeholders in the Resident Educator Program – resident educators, mentors, and principals.