Signed by Governor Earl Tomblin

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that expands approved teacher certification programs.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a school or school district to establish an “alternative program” for teacher certification in partnership with an accredited university, a regional education service agency, or the West Virginia Department of Education (Sec. 1).

• Defines “alternative program” as a program for teacher education that is offered as an alternative to a standard college or university program (Sec. 1).

• Requires an individual to meet certain criteria to be eligible for an alternative program teacher certificate including, but not limited to, the following requirements (Sec. 1):
• The individual has a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university;
• The individual passes the basic skills and subject matter tests required by the state board;
• The individual is physically, mentally, and emotionally qualified to perform the duties of a teacher; and
• The individual receives a formal offer of employment in an area of “critical need and shortage” from a county superintendent; and
• The individual is in an “area of critical need and shortage.”

• Defines “area of critical need and shortage” as an opening in an established, existing or newly-created position which has been posted at least 2 times and for which no fully-qualified applicant has been employed (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands approved teacher certification programs.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a school or school district to establish an “alternative program” for teacher certification in partnership with an accredited university, a regional education service agency, or the West Virginia Department of Education (Sec. 1).

• Defines “alternative program” as a program for teacher education that is offered as an alternative to a standard college or university program (Sec. 1).

• Requires an individual to meet certain criteria to be eligible for an alternative program teacher certificate including, but not limited to, the following criteria (Sec. 1):
• The individual has a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university;
• The individual passes basic skill and subject matter tests required by the state board; and
• The individual is physically, mentally and emotionally qualified to perform the duties of a teacher.

Full Bill Text