HB 1911 -- ALTERNATIVE TEACHER CERTIFICATION

SPONSOR:  Muschany

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
Student Achievement by a vote of 7 to 1.

This bill requires the State Board of Education to issue an
initial four-year teaching certificate to individuals who
complete certification with the American Board for Certification
of Teacher Excellence, except for special education
certification.  These teachers must have 60 contact hours in
specified activities to apply and, to be eligible for a career
continuous certificate, must complete 30 hours of professional
development within four years, two years in an approved mentoring
program, have a successful performance-based teacher evaluation,
and participate in a beginning teacher assistance program.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2009, FY 2010, and
FY 2011.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say certification that does not require a
person to undergo unnecessary training or a prolonged period with
no income as a student teacher will help with teacher shortages.
Seven states have approved American Board for Certification of
Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) certification, and this option could
help rural districts fill teacher vacancies.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Muschany; David Saba,
President, American Board for Certification of Teaching
Excellence; and Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that it would be better
to change the current alternative certification process than to
adopt an off-the-shelf program.  In six of the seven states where
ABCTE has been approved, it was done by the state board of
education, not by statute, and it did not result in a lifelong
certificate.

Testifying against the bill were Missouri National Education
Association; University of Central Missouri; and Missouri
Association of School Librarians.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill say the issue needs better
data analysis on the current state options.  It would be better
to allow the State Board of Education to handle ABCTE as a vendor
option.  ABCTE can fill a need, rather than taking people away
from current certification programs.

Testifying on the bill were Representative Lampe; and Missouri
State Teachers Association.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated October 15, 2008 at 3:11 pm