HCS HB 281 -- TEACHER CERTIFICATION (Moore)

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.  For
the initial certificate, requirements include participation in a
beginning teacher assistance program which comprises
performance-based evaluations and a professional development plan
and two years of mentoring.

The substitute also deletes references to the five-year
provisional certification granted to experienced teachers with
out-of-state certificates and grants a license to validly
certified teachers from other states hired to teach in this
state, commensurate with their experience, 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.  Currently, holders of a doctor of philosophy
degree may be granted a certificate under certain conditions; the
substitute replaces the term with "doctoral degree."  The
substitute permits a fee to be charged for career continuous
professional certificates not to exceed the cost of their
issuance.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to Excellence in Education
Revolving Fund of $255,000 to $408,000 in FY 2004, $0 in FY 2005,
and $0 in FY 2006.

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