 | Teacher licensing changes
give teachers
professional control |  Proposed changes to teacher preparation and licensing requirements
would create a new system offering teachers more control over their
profession and more professional choices, according to WEAC President
Terry Craney. The Department of Public Instruction is proposing the creation of
three new stages of educator licenses and new levels of licensing
based upon student development instead of grade level. “The proposals involving the three new licenses are causing
concern and confusion,” Craney said. “People who are
currently in the teaching profession will be affected, but the level
of change they undergo is in large part up to them.” The DPI proposal calls for three levels of licensing: initial
educator, professional educator and master educator. Initial educator
licenses are for people just entering the profession. Initial license holders would be mentored by appropriately trained
teachers. They would be required to demonstrate their professional
growth through a portfolio before achieving a professional educator’s
license. Professional educator licenses are renewable five-year licenses.
Teachers currently holding renewable licenses would automatically be
considered professional educators. For renewal, they would submit
professional development plans. The plans could contain the six credit
option for renewal, or the plans could include a wide range of
classroom and professional activities. The third license is the master educator license. Teachers with
seven years’ experience and a master’s degree can
voluntarily participate in the process leading to the master educator’s
license. “It is important for people who are currently in the teaching
profession to understand how the rules would work,” Craney said. “Teachers
who now hold renewable licenses will be considered professional
educators. Teachers who currently hold lifetime licenses will keep
those lifetime licenses. They may also voluntarily pursue the master
educator license.” Under the plan, teachers who currently hold renewable licenses will
be able to renew them with six credits or move to a professional
development plan with a supporting portfolio. The changes in renewal
language will become effective following renewals that occur in 2004.
“The proposed rules give teachers more control over their
profession,” Craney said. “Educators will have more support
and recognition for their professional development.” Craney said WEAC generally supports the proposed rules, but there
are some areas that need modification. “It is extremely important for members to attend the hearings
and voice their opinions of the proposed rules,” Craney said. “Members
have concerns, and those voices need to be heard.” The Department of Public Instruction is expected to hold hearings
after the first of the year. Hearing dates have not been announced.
WEAC will notify members of the dates as soon as they are released.
The Legislature must approve the rules before they go into effect,
which is expected some time in 1999. Posted December 18, 1998 |