Report Title:
Teacher Licensing
Description:
Allows an individual with a post-graduate degree in a field other than education to receive a teacher's license, after taking an approved semester-long course in education and passing a course examination.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1402 |
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TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO TEACHER LICENSING.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there is a shortage of teachers in Hawaii, and a critical need for quality teachers in public schools.
The legislature finds that many individuals with postgraduate degrees in fields other than education would like to become public school teachers, but are often discouraged from applying for teacher licenses due to the additional time and cost involved in fulfilling the requirements. These individuals are highly qualified and would fulfill the department of education (DOE) principles inspired by Act 51, Session Laws of Hawaii 2004, of:
(1) Rigor, as it takes discipline and many hours of concentration to be able to achieve an advanced degree;
(2) Relationships, as these individuals not only have a wealth of knowledge but are connected to their university and community through their studies; and
(3) Relevance, as individuals who have studied to attain mastery of a particular discipline have knowledge and experience that would truly enrich the classrooms.
In addition, they often have some teaching experience through the course of their studies. The success of certain private schools that employ individuals with postgraduate degrees but who do not have teaching certificates attests to the benefits of hiring such individuals.
The shortage of teachers and the need for quality teachers can be remedied in part by easing the requirements to acquire teacher licenses for individuals with postgraduate degrees in fields other than education. Currently, the requirements to become a public school teacher include:
(1) A degree in education from an accredited institution, or a four-year degree with a teaching certificate, which is a two-year program;
(2) A semester of student teaching; and
(3) Passing marks on the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board PRAXIS exam.
The purpose of this Act is to allow an individual with a post-graduate degree in a field other than education to receive a teacher's license, after taking an approved semester-long course in education practicum and passing a practicum examination.
SECTION 2. Section 302A-805, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§302A-805 Teachers; license required; renewals. (a) [Beginning July 1, 2002, all] All new licenses shall be issued by the board. No person shall serve as a half-time or full-time teacher in a public school without first having obtained a license from the board under this subpart. All licenses issued by the board shall be valid only for the fields specified on the licenses and shall be renewable every five years if the individual continues to:
(1) Satisfy the board's licensing standards;
(2) Show evidence of successful teaching in the previous five years; and
(3) Satisfy the board's requirements for renewal of licenses.
Teachers whose licenses expire on June 30, 2002, or June 30, 2003, shall be granted an automatic extension of two years. No person shall be issued a license or teach on an emergency basis in the public schools without having first paid the fees established by the board in accordance with chapter 91.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), the board shall issue licenses to individuals who have:
(1) Received a postgraduate degree in a field other than education from an accredited institution;
(2) Attended a semester-long course in education, that may include practicum, that has been approved by the board; and
(3) Received passing marks on a course examination approved by the board.
(c) The Hawaii teacher standards board may adopt, amend, and repeal rules in accordance with chapter 91 to implement this section.
(d) For the purposes of this section, "accredited institution" means a degree-granting institution that is accredited by at least one nationally recognized accrediting agency that is listed by the United States Secretary of Education."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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