HB 814 -- Reciprocal and Alternative Teacher Certification

Sponsor:  Shields

This bill requires the State Board of Education to establish
reciprocal approval of teacher training institutions which have
been approved by other states.  Reciprocity will only be granted
to an applicant from another state if the applicant has at least
3 years of teaching experience.  The bill removes the current
requirement for out-of-state applicants to achieve the Missouri
qualifying score on the exit exam for teachers.  The bill adds
making recommendations concerning the adoption of a national
teacher reciprocity system to the duties of the certification
advisory council.

In addition, the bill establishes a fast-track certification
process for applicants who have at least a master's degree and
who have been hired or are seeking to teach the subject covered
by the applicant's postgraduate degree.  Applicants must pass a
one-semester course to be developed by the Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education and offered at public 4-year
colleges and, at the option of such institutions, at accredited
private institutions.  Applicants meeting these requirements
will be granted a provisional certificate and, after one year,
must show satisfactory or higher performance evaluations.  Once
a final certificate is granted, the fast-track certification is
limited to the area of study of the applicant's postgraduate
degree, is of the same effect as other teacher certifications,
and is subject to renewal or revocation in the same manner as
other certificates.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated September 13, 2001 at 2:04 pm