WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
The state House this week approved state Rep. Aaron Miller’s legislation to eliminate the requirement for a professional teaching certificate to new educators, giving teachers more time to work with students and focus on educational growth in the classroom.
New teachers are issued a standard – formerly called a provisional – teaching certificate, with a professional teaching certificate available to instructors with more than three years classroom experience, over 150 hours of professional development and additional post-graduate coursework.
Although these new instructors can renew their five-year standard or provisional certification multiple times, obtaining a professional certificate may be required as early as three years into a teacher’s career.
Miller noted his bill will only make it optional for teachers to pursue their professional certification and is supported by the state Department of Education.
House Bill 4614 advances to the Senate for its consideration.
