Teachers; must be licensed to teach in public schools. (HB613)
Introduced By
Del. David Poisson (D-Sterling) with support from co-patrons Del. Todd Gilbert (R-Woodstock), and Del. Lee Ware (R-Powhatan)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✗ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Licensure of certain school personnel. Provides that only classroom teachers must be licensed to teach in the public schools and removes the licensure requirements for division superintendents, principals, and assistant principals. This bill provides that, effective July 1, 2008, Board regulations and local school board policies may establish minimum requirements for such positions, but may not require the completion of a degree or coursework or specialized training currently required for licensure as a division superintendent, principal, and assistant principal. The bill also provides that any person holding a license in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Virginia and the regulations of the Board of Education may teach in the public schools of the Commonwealth. Persons who would teach in the public schools must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education with a majority of the credit hours earned for the degree concentrated in a subject taught in the public schools. The Boards regulations must also require that a majority of credit hours earned, or coursework or in-service training hours completed for the renewal of a license must be concentrated in a subject taught in the public schools. Further, the Board of Education may not require more than nine credit hours in pedagogical or noninstructional related courses as a condition of licensure or licensure renewal. The licensure requirements of other professionals employed by local school boards who are licensed to practice their professions by other professional boards in the Commonwealth remain in effect. Read the Bill »
Outcome
History
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 01/08/2008 | Committee |
| 01/08/2008 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/08 088155688 |
| 01/08/2008 | Referred to Committee on Education |
| 01/23/2008 | Impact statement from DPB (HB613) |
| 02/12/2008 | Left in Education |
Comments
blah, blah, blah, blah... ANYONE can be a 'teacher'...it's unbiased, EDUCATORS who can facilitate learning that we need.
Example: Mrs.Kimberly Kauffman, 4th grade EDUCATOR at Bass Hoover Elementary School in Stephens City, is the BEST EDUCATOR I've seen in ANY school in this county! Lots of people can 'teach' but only the best can 'educate' REGARDLESS of some 'degree' they may have personally achieved
VEA Opposed, Elementary School Principals Opposed
After 30 years as a teacher, principal, and Ass't Supt. serving in public schools in the Commonwealth, I shudder when I read the legislation about removing licensure requirements for Superintendents and particularly principals. Compelling research on school leadership suggests just the opposite. "Running" a school as a manager/CEO falls dramatically short of the real need--which is to have an experienced, instructional leader who is a product of a quality preparation program. This is poor legislation that ill serves Virgina's students.