Bill > SB197

This bill modifies the requirements for obtaining a professional teaching certificate in West Virginia by limiting the mandatory basic skills and subject matter testing requirement. Specifically, the bill changes the testing requirement to only apply to individuals who have not completed a bachelor's degree program for teacher education or those who have completed such a program but have a grade point average below 3.0. The legislation provides multiple pathways for obtaining a professional teaching certificate, including holding a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, passing appropriate state board-approved tests, completing a teacher education program, meeting equivalent standards from other states, having successful teaching experience, or completing an alternative teacher education program. The bill maintains provisions for initial provisional certificates valid for three years, which can be converted to a professional certificate valid for five years upon successful completion of a beginning teacher induction program. Additionally, the bill ensures that teaching certificates obtained through alternative pathways are equivalent to those granted to graduates of traditional teacher preparation programs at public higher education institutions, thereby providing more flexibility for individuals seeking to enter the teaching profession in West Virginia.

Education

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=197&year=2025&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill