HCS HB 281 -- TEACHER CERTIFICATION

SPONSOR:  Cunningham, 86 (Moore)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Education
by a vote of 20 to 2.

Currently, teacher certificates include three levels, the first
two of which are steps to a continuous professional certificate,
renewable every 10 years.  This substitute replaces the three-
level system with a two-level system:  an initial four-year
certificate and a career continuous professional certificate.
The substitute grants current certificate holders who qualify for
a career continuous professional certificate as of August 28,
2003, such a certificate.  The substitute contains professional
development requirements for both levels of certification and
participation in a beginning teacher assistance program and a
two-year mentoring requirement, instead of the current one-year
time period, for the initial level of certificate.

The substitute also deletes references to the five-year
provisional certification granted to teachers with out-of-state
certificates and grants a license to validly certified teachers
from other states hired to teach in this state, upon completion
of a background check, if the certificate holder annually
completes the requirements of the State Board of Education for
that level of certification.  The substitute permits a fee to be
charged for certificates not to exceed the cost of their
issuance.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Effect on Excellence in Education
Revolving Fund of $0 in FY 2004, FY 2005, and FY 2006.
Offsetting costs and income could be in excess of $100,000 in FY
2004.  Offsetting costs and income could be less than $100,000 in
FY 2005 and FY 2006.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that beginning teachers need to be
able to focus on instruction, rather than feeling pressure to
begin a master's program immediately.  Although a master's degree
is not required at the first two levels of certification, much
emphasis is placed on getting into a graduate program at a time
when the beginning teacher is still paying off student loans,
starting a family, and learning the craft.  The bill requires
professional development, modeled on other professional
licensees' continuing education requirements.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Moore, Walton, and
Wallace; Missouri State Teachers Association; Della Bell, first
grade teacher from Moberly; John Prezzavento, student Missouri
State Teachers Association president; and Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that Missouri needs to
look carefully at other state's licensure procedures before it
accepts out-of-state licenses; high standards are required, both
as a matter of state policy and under the No Child Left Behind
Act.

Testifying against the bill with reservations was Missouri
National Education Association.

Becky DeNeve, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:11 am